Project Controller - Tysons, VA

M.C. Dean, Inc.; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

M.C. Dean, Inc. is seeking a Project Controls Specialist in McLean, Virginia, responsible for analyzing project data and ensuring all milestones are met. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience in relevant engineering fields. Strong skills in project management systems, data analysis, and communication are essential. The role involves managing project schedules, resource allocation, and reporting on variances. Ideal candidates have experience with MS Project, Primavera P6, and Power BI.

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor of Science degree and/or industry experience with 7+ years in Industrial Engineering, Construction Management, or Systems Engineering.
• 3+ years of experience with a Master's degree.

Responsibilities

• Engage on the project early in the lifecycle to understand the scope and budget.
• Assist in developing a Work Breakdown Structure for the project.
• Manage scheduling of resources to maintain the baseline project schedule.
• Analyze project data and create reporting of resources.
• Measure and analyze schedule variances and address them.
• Drive development and maintenance of project artifacts.

Skills

Project management system knowledge (MS Project or Primavera P6)

Data analysis skills

Project scheduling ability

Executive-level communication

Ability to learn M.C. Dean systems

Education

Bachelor of Science degree

7+ years experience in Industrial Engineering, Construction Management, or Systems Engineering

3+ years experience with a Master's degree

Tools

MS Project

Primavera P6

Power BI

MS Excel

Visio

Job description

Project Controls Specialist

The Project Controls Specialist works with project leaders and project teams to analyze project data and define project schedules to ensure all project milestones are met. The Specialist takes ownership of driving the development and maintenance of all project artifacts that are required to ensure effective short‑term and long‑term staff forecasting, scheduling, and controls for the project.

Clearance/Citizen Type: Applicants are subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements including U.S. citizenship for access to classified information.

Responsibilities

• Engaging on the project early in the project lifecycle (no later than at award) to fully understand the scope of the project, project budget, and key milestones.
• Assisting the Project Leader in developing a Work Breakdown Structure for the project with resources assigned to tasks (resource loaded) to establish a baseline resource plan.
• Managing the scheduling of resources on the project to maintain the baseline project schedule.
• Analyzing real‑time project data and creating baseline vs actual reporting of resources.
• Measuring and analyzing schedule variances and defining and executing remedies to address variances.
• Driving the development and maintenance of all project artifacts that are required to ensure effective short‑term and long‑term staff forecasting for the project.
• Reviewing the project schedule with the General Contractor if requested by project leadership.
• Working directly with the Client on a schedule if requested by project leadership.
• Maintaining a positive, assertive relationship with project leadership, including field supervisors, to achieve project milestones and overall project success.

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor of Science degree and/or industry experience with 7+ years in Industrial Engineering, Construction Management, or Systems Engineering.
• 3+ years of experience with a Master's degree.

Required Skills

• Working knowledge of a project management system (MS Project or Primavera P6).
• Understanding of data analysis and how to extract insights from project and resource data.
• Ability to create project schedules and schedule resources (work items and tasks by hours).
• Ability to proactively discuss project resource schedules with project leadership.
• Strong executive-level communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to learn the workings of M.C. Dean internal mission‑critical systems (Job Connect, EVMS, Timesheets, etc.).

Preferred Skills

• Working knowledge of finance systems as it relates to project budgets and cost codes.
• Understanding of earned value analysis as it relates to project management.
• Exposure to Database Systems Education & Training.
• Experience with MS Project/Primavera P6, MS Project Server, Power BI, MS Excel, PowerPoints, Visio, and M.C. Dean applications (Job Connect, EVMS, Timesheets, Accubid, Infralink, Forms).

Optional

• PMI certification in project management (PMP) and/or project scheduling (PSP) tools experience.

Abilities

• Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Have finger dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, e.g., using a keyboard.
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Identify and understand the speech of another person.