Project Controls Manager

USA Rare Earth; Wheat Ridge (CO); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth is seeking a Project Controls Manager for major capital projects based in Wheat Ridge, CO. This role is pivotal in establishing project controls standards and managing the project controls function. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in project controls within mining or energy sectors, with strong skills in scheduling, cost control, and risk management.

A bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field and proficiency in relevant software tools such as Primavera P6 is required. Join us to be an integral part of the sustainable energy revolution.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in project controls or capital project execution.
• 2+ years of leadership experience.
• Experience in mining, manufacturing, energy, or infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop project controls standards and procedures.
• Maintain integrated project schedules and monitor progress.
• Track project costs and performance against budgets.
• Manage project risk registers and facilitate risk activities.
• Prepare project status reports for leadership.

Skills

Project scheduling

Cost control

Risk management

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Power BI

Job description

We are on a mission to become a leading supplier of critical materials that enable the green energy and technology revolution. Our materials and technologies are required for the electric vehicle, green energy, consumer electronics, and defense industries, and our battery grade lithium and tech metals are needed for chipsets, semiconductors, and 5G.

We have a substantial interest in the Round Top, Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals deposit in West Texas. We have also developed the United States’ first rare earth and critical minerals processing facility and we own the only scalable, sintered neo‑magnet manufacturing system in the Western Hemisphere. By developing this fully integrated, US‑based “mine‑to‑magnet” critical mineral supply chain, we are poised to become the leading domestic supplier to these industries.

What you can expect:

At USA Rare Earth, we are pioneers and problem solvers, technologists and team players. Together, we:

• Build Solutions – We think outside the box to solve important problems and work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world‑class solutions in sustainable ways.
• Deliver Quality – We hold ourselves to the highest quality standards, move fast when executing, but safety, quality, and excellence always come first.
• Lead responsibly – We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices, and act with the best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.
• Win Together – We communicate openly, work together, and challenge each other in pursuit of our goals, learning and improving at every step.

Position Summary

The Project Controls Manager is responsible for developing and managing the project controls function for major capital projects. This role establishes and maintains processes, systems, and reporting for project planning, scheduling, cost control, forecasting, risk management, and performance measurement. Initially operating as a hands‑on individual contributor, the Project Controls Manager will execute project controls activities directly while building the framework and team needed to support the company's growing capital program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement project controls standards, procedures, and reporting processes across the capital project portfolio.
• Create and maintain integrated project schedules, monitor progress, and identify schedule risks and recovery opportunities.
• Track project costs, commitments, forecasts, and performance against approved budgets and AFEs.
• Develop and maintain earned value metrics, project forecasts, and performance reporting.
• Manage project risk registers and facilitate risk identification and mitigation activities.
• Validate contractor progress, review invoices, and monitor contractor performance.
• Develop work breakdown structures (WBS), project coding structures, and reporting frameworks.
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, construction, and finance teams to ensure alignment of project scope, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and executive‑level project status reports for leadership and Board review.
• Support project estimating, cash flow forecasting, change management, and capital planning activities.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of project controls tools, systems, and processes.
• Build and manage project controls personnel as project needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in project controls, construction management, project management, or capital project execution.
• 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience supporting large industrial, mining, manufacturing, energy, or infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of project scheduling, cost control, forecasting, risk management, and earned value management.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or similar project controls software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting mining, minerals processing, manufacturing, or chemical processing projects.
• Professional certification such as PMP, CCP, or PSP.
• Experience establishing project controls functions within a growing organization.
• Knowledge of EPC/EPCM project delivery and contractor management practices.
• Experience with Power BI, Primavera Analytics, SAP, Oracle, or similar reporting platforms.

The work environment will be a mix of a typical office environment, a construction site, and a mining site. Noise level: Normal office and lab noises.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities

USA Rare Earth's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and will provide reasonable accommodations according to applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

For assistance applying for employment through this site due to disability, please contact Human Resources, [e-mail], to discuss reasonable accommodations.

The pay range for this role is:

170,000 - 190,000 USD per year (Wheat Ridge, CO)