Principal Project Controls Specialist

Compa-Industries; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 110,208 - 123,984; Full time

Job summary

COMPA Industries in Aiken, SC is seeking a Principal Business Analyst – Project Controls for a 1-year base contract with extended option periods. The role focuses on planning, scheduling, cost control, and financial analysis for complex projects at Savannah River Site, all on-site.

The position requires a Master’s degree with 5 years of project controls experience, DOE Q clearance, and proficiency in Primavera, COBRA, and PeopleSoft. Travel may be required to support weapons programs.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 5 years of practical experience (equivalents considered).
• Equivalents: BA/BS +7 years, AA +11 years, or high school +15 years.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost and schedule baselines, WBS, and spend-out plans.
• Guide others in multi-project analysis and problem correction.
• Lead cost reviews, change management, and variance analysis.
• Maintain costs in PeopleSoft and analyze pool variances.
• Provide financial reporting and scenario analysis to management.
• Train and lead other Project Controls personnel.

Skills

Project controls

Cost analysis

Scheduling

Advanced PC skills

Education

Master’s degree in business, construction management, engineering or related field

Bachelor’s degree +7 years experience

Associate’s degree +11 years experience

High school diploma +15 years experience

Tools

Primavera

COBRA

PeopleSoft

Job description

Principal Business Analyst – Project Controls
Location: Aiken, SC (100% On-site)
Pay Rate: $80–$90/hr
Contract: 1-year base with two (2) 1-year option periods
Work Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 6:00 AM–4:30 PM
Clearance: DOE “Q” required

About the Role

We are recruiting for a Principal Project Controls Specialist (Working Title: Principal Business Analyst – Project Controls) supporting Savannah River Site. This role is responsible for the organization, development, implementation, maintenance, and accountability of total project controls, financial analysis, and estimating applications designed to provide management with the capability to maintain planning, scheduling, financial analysis, and cost control throughout the life cycle of very complex or unique projects and programs.
Under very limited supervision, you will perform project controls activities and prepare business and financial plans and reports on a periodic or ad hoc basis. The position supports Weapons Programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop cost and schedule baselines, milestone schedules, work breakdown structures, and spend-out plans to establish optimum conditions and effective utilization of resources and facilities, including equipment, manpower, and funding.
• Apply advanced project control concepts and provide state-of-the-art technical expertise to guide others in developing complex, multi-project integrated area project analysis and problem correction.
• Participate in routine project cost reviews and schedule meetings; develop and implement a change management system for assigned engineering and construction work scope.
• Analyze variances in cost and schedule performance against the plan and communicate the reasons for variances and proposed mitigation plans to management.
• Perform financial analysis techniques including variance analysis, statistical analysis, and scenario analysis as requested by management.
• Develop and explain costing rates for the budget process, maintain rates in PeopleSoft, and analyze pool variances (Assigned Overhead and Service Pools).
• Perform extensive analysis of business operations to ascertain funding limitations, execute appropriate cost controls, identify productivity and financial issues, and create cost-effective processes to enhance productivity.
• Define requirements and develop models for complex business systems, develop test plans and scenarios, incorporate major system enhancements into existing financial applications, and monitor system effectiveness.
• Prepare comprehensive monthly financial reports including analyses, forecasts, and spend plans.
• Provide leadership, technical direction, and training to other Project Controls personnel.

Required Education & Experience

Master’s degree in business, construction management, technical, engineering, or a related area and 5 years of practical experience. Equivalents considered: a Bachelor’s degree in a related area and 7 years of practical experience; an Associate’s degree and 11 years of practical experience; or a high school diploma and 15 years of relevant experience.

Top Skills & Requirements

• Strong personal computer skills.
• Expert proficiency in the use of automated accounting, cost management, scheduling, and estimating systems as tools for performing required duties.
• Practical experience with Site Business systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of project management and cost and schedule control at the tactical level, along with knowledge of operations, maintenance, or project startup and construction.
• Primavera and COBRA experience required.
• Understanding of CAS/FAR principles.

Security Clearance

This position requires a DOE “Q” security clearance. The candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates who have possessed an active DOE clearance (L or Q) within the past two (2) years are preferred.

Duration: 1-year base contract with two (2) 1-year option periods. Option periods are not guaranteed and are executed at the discretion of the hiring manager.
Estimated Hours: 2,080 straight time + 200 overtime per year.
Work Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 6:00 AM–4:30 PM. The site offers various schedules (5/8s, 4/10s, 9/80s); overtime may be required at times to meet deliverables.

Travel

Travel may be required to attend in-person Project Controls Summits in Albuquerque, NM or Kansas City, MO for Weapons Programs discussions.

Why Work at COMPA Industries?

We strive to provide careers, not just jobs, for our employees. We invest in and serve the communities where we work and live. We provide best-in-class administrative, professional, and technical services to solve complex problems to meet customer mission-critical objectives.
For over 30 years, Compa has been a trusted partner in progress. We combine decades of technical expertise with a forward-thinking spirit, tackling intricate challenges in nuclear facilities alongside the brightest minds in science and engineering. Join us, and don’t just build your career, build the future, with competitive compensation, a collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real difference for national security and beyond.

COMPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected status.