Project Controls Manager - ARB, Inc.

101 ARB, Inc; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with employer match

Health, Dental, Vision insurance plans

Paid time off

10 paid holidays

Stock purchase plan

Job summary

101 ARB, Inc. in Irvine, California is seeking a Project Controls Manager to support large-scale EPC and industrial construction projects. This role involves critical project controls leadership, managing cost management, forecasting, scheduling oversight, and risk analysis throughout the project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in project controls and a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Excellent communication and leadership skills are essential, as well as proficiency in project controls software.

Benefits include a robust 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance, and a competitive salary range of $150k - $160k.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in project controls, cost engineering, scheduling, or construction project management.
• Experience leading project controls teams on direct-hire construction projects.
• Strong understanding of construction accounting principles and project financial controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all project controls functions for industrial construction projects.
• Monitor and report project costs, analyze trends, and prepare forecasts.
• Provide leadership and oversight to project controls engineers, analysts, and schedulers.

Skills

Project controls principles

Cost forecasting

Scheduling

Earned value management

Risk analysis

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving capabilities

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Finance

Tools

EcoSys

Primavera P6

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Microsoft Access

Job description

Job Overview

At ARB, Inc., the Project Controls Manager will play a critical leadership role supporting large-scale EPC and industrial construction projects across power, energy, and infrastructure markets. This position is responsible for leading all project controls functions including cost management, forecasting, scheduling oversight, progress measurement, EVM, change management, reporting, and risk analysis throughout the project lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings a strong background supporting direct-hire industrial construction projects and has experience partnering closely with project management, engineering, finance, procurement, payroll, and field operations teams to ensure projects remain on budget and on schedule. This role requires a hands‑on leader capable of managing project controls teams while driving accountability, visibility, and operational excellence across multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all project controls functions for a portfolio of industrial construction projects from project initiation through final closeout.
• Support Project Managers with cost controls, scheduling, forecasting, EVM, reporting and risk management activities.
• Provide leadership and oversight to project controls engineers, analysts, schedulers, and estimators.
• Ensure all projects are executed in compliance with company governance, procedures, contractual requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Monitor and report project costs, analyze trends and compare them to budgets and approved estimates.
• Perform detailed variance analysis and provide corrective action recommendations related to cost and schedule performance.
• Prepare and oversee project forecasts including direct costs, indirect costs, equipment costs, labor costs, and third‑party costs.
• Employ Earned Value Management (EVM) methodologies and tools to track and forecast project performance.
• Oversee scheduling efforts and identify activities impacting the project critical path while supporting mitigation and recovery planning.
• Ensure project scope changes, budget revisions, and schedule modifications are properly evaluated, documented, approved, and integrated into project controls systems.
• Generate cost and schedule risk assessments and provide confidence‑level reporting to project leadership.
• Review contractor and vendor cost reports, forecasts, invoices, and schedules for accuracy and completeness.
• Support development and oversight of project invoicing processes in accordance with contract requirements.
• Review and approve third‑party invoices and coordinate closely with Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and Finance teams.
• Ensure project cost data is accurately maintained within project controls & ERP systems.
• Support capital appropriation requests and financial project closeout activities.
• Develop executive‑level cost and schedule reporting packages and presentation materials for senior leadership.
• Work collaboratively with project management, engineering, procurement, construction, and field operations teams to ensure alignment between project execution and project controls.
• Identify project risks, planning gaps, dependencies, and operational issues while driving mitigation strategies and resolution plans.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to project controls processes, reporting, systems, and governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Finance, or related field (preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in project controls, cost engineering, scheduling, or construction project management within EPC, industrial, energy, or heavy industrial environments (required).
• Previous experience leading project controls teams on direct‑hire construction projects (required).
• Experience supporting large‑scale EPC or industrial construction projects (preferred).
• Experience with lump sum, unit rate, and time & material contracts (preferred).
• Strong understanding of project controls principles including cost forecasting, scheduling, earned value management, change management, and risk analysis.
• Proficiency with project controls and reporting software such as EcoSys, Primavera P6, Microsoft Excel, Power BI, Microsoft Access, Viewpoint Advanced analytical, forecasting, and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of construction accounting principles and project financial controls.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interface effectively with executive leadership, clients, project teams, and field personnel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced project environment.
• Strong leadership skills with previous direct management experience (preferred).
• Power generation, industrial plant, or energy infrastructure project experience (plus).
• Ability to travel to project sites as needed.
• Annual salary range of $150k - $160k (negotiable) commensurate with education, skills and experience.

Benefits

• 401k with employer match
• Health, Dental, Vision insurance plans
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays
• Stock purchase plan

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.