Project Controller

Mesa Associates, Inc; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Mesa Associates, Inc. in Chattanooga, Tennessee is seeking a Project Controller to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost tracking across multiple engineering projects within the T&D unit. The role emphasizes financial analysis and risk mitigation to support project profitability and efficiency.

The person will collaborate with Project Managers and other stakeholders to ensure accurate budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, while maintaining audit-ready documentation and compliant processes.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of financial principles, cost control, and project accounting.
• Advanced analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to Mesa’s safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Developing and maintaining project budgets, forecasts, and cost tracking systems for assigned projects.
• Preparing monthly financial reports, variance analyses, and earned value metrics.
• Monitoring project expenditures and identifying cost overruns, risks, and opportunities.
• Supporting the preparation and review of client invoices and ensuring timely billing.
• Collaborating with Project Managers to ensure financial alignment with project scope and schedule.
• Assisting in the development of change orders and budget revisions.
• Ensuring compliance with Mesa’s financial policies, procedures, and client requirements.
• Participating in project reviews and providing financial insights to support project decisions.
• Maintaining documentation for audits, internal reviews, and client reporting.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives in project control processes and tools.

Skills

Financial principles

Cost control

Project accounting

Analytical skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Independence

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel

Financial reporting

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

PDT - General / Power Delivery Transmission & Distribution

This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties.

Disclaimer

Be cautious and only respond to emails from our “mesainc.com” domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.

The Project Controller role is a mid-level professional position within the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Engineering business unit at Mesa. This position is responsible for managing the financial performance and control processes for multiple engineering projects. The Project Controller works closely with Project Managers, Program Managers, and other stakeholders to ensure accurate budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and reporting. This role requires a strong understanding of project accounting, financial analysis, and cost control principles. The Project Controller is expected to proactively identify financial risks, support decision‑making, and contribute to the overall profitability and efficiency of the business unit. This position requires analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate financial insights effectively.

Responsibilities

• Developing and maintaining project budgets, forecasts, and cost tracking systems for assigned projects.
• Preparing monthly financial reports, variance analyses, and earned value metrics.
• Monitoring project expenditures and identifying cost overruns, risks, and opportunities.
• Supporting the preparation and review of client invoices and ensuring timely billing.
• Collaborating with Project Managers to ensure financial alignment with project scope and schedule.
• Assisting in the development of change orders and budget revisions.
• Ensuring compliance with Mesa’s financial policies, procedures, and client requirements.
• Participating in project reviews and providing financial insights to support project decisions.
• Maintaining documentation for audits, internal reviews, and client reporting.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives in project control processes and tools.

Competencies

• Strong understanding of financial principles, cost control, and project accounting.
• Advanced analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to Mesa’s safety and quality standards.

Notice to External Search Firms:

Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.