Project Controls Manager

USA Rare Earth, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAR); Wheat Ridge (CO); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth, Inc. in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, is seeking a Project Controls Manager to oversee project controls for major capital projects. The ideal candidate will manage standards, systems, and reporting processes for project planning, cost control, and risk management while building a project controls team.

Essential qualifications include a Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of experience in project controls or management. The position offers a salary range of $170,000 - $190,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in project controls or management.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience.
• Experience with large industrial or infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage project controls standards and procedures.
• Create and maintain integrated project schedules.
• Develop work breakdown structures and project coding structures.

Skills

Project scheduling

Cost control

Risk management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Power BI

SAP

Oracle

Job description

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.

Work Environment

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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required of personnel so classified. The reporting relationship may not reflect the most recent changes to the corporate reporting structure.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 at [e-mail] to discuss reasonable accommodations.

Pay Range For This Role

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