Project Controls Manager

HDR, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Project Controls Manager to lead planning, estimating, forecasting, scheduling, cost control, and project reporting for complex infrastructure projects in California.

You will partner with designers, contractors and inspectors, drive change management, and ensure compliance with contract specifications while promoting HDR's employee-owned culture. The role requires strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, with 7+ years in project controls and a Bachelor’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or construction-related field.
• 7+ years in project controls on engineering/construction projects.
• Ability to manage proposals, contracts, client relationships and win strategy for mid-to-large EPC projects.
• Ability to interpret construction schedules and related documents.

Responsibilities

• Partner with designers, contractors, inspectors and third parties to identify and resolve variances.
• Establish reporting procedures and tools for variances and costs.
• Enforce project controls practices including change and records management.
• Develop and monitor KPIs and report to staff and client.
• Lead coordination meetings and ensure adherence to change procedures.

Skills

Decision-making

Interpersonal leadership

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Task prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CPE

CEP

PSP

PMP

PMI-SP

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: 'https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

In the role of Project Controls Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Partner with designers, contractors, inspectors and other third-party entities to proactively identify, communicate and resolve scope and pricing variances
• Establish a procedural framework for preparing, reporting and reconciling variances, including developing and/or enhancing reporting procedures and tools
• Manage and enforce adherence to project controls practices and procedures, including change management and records management
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators and report to project and program staff and client
• Proactively seek collaboration and cooperation
• Set up and lead coordination meetings
• Review project change documentation and ensure compliance with change procedures and contract specifications

Establish project schedules, forecast and cost controls procedures

• Perform other duties as needed
• Interpret drawings and specifications to extract scope quantities

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Construction, engineering or related field
• Experience supporting infrastructure/ transportation (roadway, bridge, transit) construction projects
• Certifications (one or more): CPE, CEP, PSP, EVP, PMI-SP, PMP, CCM, PRMP, DRMP, CFCC, PE, MCSA: BI Reporting
• Ability to interpret construction schedules

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in project controls work on engineering and construction projects, including planning, estimating, forecasting, scheduling, cost control, schedule control, and project reports
• Ability to manage proposal preparation, contract review and negotiation, client relationship and win strategy for medium to large EPC Projects
• Strong decision-making skills
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple long- and short-term tasks simultaneously
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
• Sponsorship (visa) for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

• We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.)
• {Irvine, Long Beach and Los Angeles}: $149,247- $245,192
• {San Diego}: $142,758- $234,531

Primary Location: United States-California-Irvine

Other Locations: United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-California-Long Beach, United States-California-San Diego, United States-California-Riverside

Industry: Construction, Project Controls & Design/Build

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Project Controls

Job Posting: Oct 16, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.