Principal Project Controls Specialist

Primary Talent Partners; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Primary Talent Partners seeks a Principal Project Controls Specialist for a field-based, 12-month contract in Charlotte, NC, with mobilization to a Davie County site. The role emphasizes cost management, schedule integration, and EVM leadership on large EPC power projects.

The ideal candidate will have expert project controls experience, advanced cost forecasting, and the ability to mentor a project controls team, supporting PMs/PDs across multiple units.

Qualifications

• Lead-level experience with complex EPC projects in power generation.
• Expert proficiency in cost forecasting and project controls for large-scale construction.
• Strong MS Excel and cost management systems proficiency.
• Experience with Primavera P6, Ecosys, Maximo, and reporting systems.
• Willingness to mobilize to field site in Davie County, NC.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain cost baselines, budgets and forecasts for large-scale construction projects.
• Lead earned value management (EVM) analysis, variance reporting and trend analysis.
• Integrate cost data with site activities and vendor deliverables for accurate financial tracking.
• Develop cost estimates and manage monthly accruals; maintain cost documentation.
• Coordinate with field schedulers to update integrated schedules and perform impact analysis.

Skills

Cost forecasting

EVM analysis

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/PM/Finance/Business Admin

HS diploma with 14+ years experience

Tools

Primavera P6

ECOSYS

Maximo

Prolog

Passport

Visio

Power BI

MS Project

PeopleSoft

LoadSpring

Job description

Primary Talent Partners has a 12 month contract opening for a Principal Project Controls Specialist to join a national energy & utilities company for an onsite position operating out of Charlotte, NC.

Pay: $72.00/hr - $82.00/hr based on experience and academia

Contract: 12 months, extensions likely, conversion possible

Type: W-2, cannot support C2C or provide visa sponsorship

Location: Field-based position with mobilization to project site in Davie County, NC

Important: This worker will start in Charlotte then target mobilization to site in Spring 2028. Per diem will be offered at time of mobilization $178/day if eligible (not before). Site location is TBD but will be within a 1-hour drive of CLT.

Summary

The Principal Project Controls Specialist is a critical lead position responsible for cost management and project controls integration on major power generation construction projects. This position supports Project Managers and Project Directors on projects of varying size and complexity, leading the setup, maintenance, and analysis of project controls status including cost, contracts, WBS, schedule, and resources.

This role requires expert-level proficiency with project controls software tools and advanced analytical capabilities. The position demands deep understanding of cost forecasting, earned value management, and integration of cost-schedule data on complex engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects.

This is a field-based position supporting the Davie-Davidson Combined Cycle (CC) construction project. Power plant construction experience (Combined Cycle, Simple Cycle, Solar, or Battery) and mobilization to the field site is required. Project is starting later this year with work occurring in the charlotte office. Project is expected to mobilize to the field in Spring 2028, with both units planned to be in-service in Fall 2032.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management & Forecasting:

• Establish and maintain project cost baselines, budgets, and forecasts with high certainty on large-scale construction projects
• Lead earned value management (EVM) analysis, variance reporting, and trend analysis
• Integrate cost data with site activities and vendor deliverables to ensure accurate financial tracking
• Manage project contingency and risk reserves
• Develop cost estimates and manage monthly accruals
• Maintain cost systems and generate monthly cost reports and project documentation

Project Controls Integration:

• Understand phased project funding and manage roll-up of estimates into cost reports
• Provide cost-schedule integration analysis to support critical path decisions
• Work with field schedulers to update integrated schedules and perform impact analysis
• Review and assess change orders for cost and schedule impacts
• Coordinate with vendors to gather and verify cost and schedule updates through submittals, field walkdowns, and direct communication

Reporting & Communication:

• Generate monthly reports and site-specific documentation for PM/PD teams
• Lead project controls reviews and status presentations
• Support project funding submittals with detailed cost and schedule analysis

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Lead and coordinate the site project controls team
• Serve as technical subject matter expert and mentor to project controls team members
• Lead implementation of project controls methodologies and best practices
• May supervise junior project controls staff as assigned
• Support multiple projects simultaneously as required

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Finance, or Business Administration AND 10 years of related work experience, OR High School diploma/equivalent AND 14 years of related work experience
• Demonstrated lead-level experience with complex EPC projects in power generation (Combined Cycle, Simple Cycle, Solar, or Battery construction)
• Expert proficiency in cost forecasting and project controls methodologies on large-scale construction projects
• High proficiency in MS Excel and cost management systems
• Experience with Primavera P6, Ecosys, Maximo, and project controls reporting systems
• Willingness to mobilize to field site in Davie County, NC
• Valid driver's license

Desired Qualifications

• ECOSYS administration, configuration, and management experience
• Experience creating training packages and training teams on ECOSYS
• Web BI and Power BI data migration experience
• Familiarity with LoadSpring application
• Master's degree in Project Management, Finance, or Business Administration
• Professional certifications: AACE-CCC (Certified Cost Consultant), AACE-EVP (Earned Value Professional), or PMP (Project Management Professional)
• Additional certifications: AACE-CEP, AACE-PSP, PMI-SP, or CAPM
• Proficiency with MS Project, ECOSYS, Primavera P6, Acumen Fuse, Business Objects, Prolog, Passport, Visio, Powerplant, PeopleSoft
• Strong collaborative team member with proven ability to work across functional groups

Primary Talent Partners is an Equal Opportunity / Affinity Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application or at any point in the hiring process, please contact us at [e-mail]

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