Project Controls Specialist

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Lexington, KY seeks a Project Controls Specialist to develop schedules, forecasts, and cost reports, collaborating with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.

You will forecast, manage WBS, and create KPIs while supporting client-facing discussions in a hybrid Lexington/Louisville environment and eligible for benefits in a contract-to-hire arrangement.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in project controls, scheduling, or cost control.
• Experience in engineering, construction, utility, or infrastructure environments.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6 and scheduling methodologies.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and schedule management.
• Ability to develop and manage Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
• Strong analytical, reporting, and problem-solving skills.
• Power BI or similar reporting tools experience is a plus.
• Utility, transmission, distribution, or substation project experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project schedules, forecasts, cost reports, and cash flow projections.
• Manage project controls systems and ensure accurate project data and reporting.
• Track project performance, budgets, schedules, and key milestones.
• Support engineering, procurement, and construction teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Analyze schedule impacts, perform forecasting, and help identify solutions to keep projects on track.
• Collaborate with project managers, accounting teams, and field personnel to support successful project delivery.
• Create reports, dashboards, and KPIs to communicate project performance to stakeholders.
• Participate in planning meetings, site visits, and client-facing discussions

Skills

Project controls

Primavera P6

Budgeting

Forecasting

WBS

Power BI

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Job Title: Project Controls Specialist

About the Role:

Join a growing engineering and construction team where you'll play a key role in delivering projects on time and within budget. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys project scheduling, cost tracking, forecasting, and working closely with project teams to drive successful outcomes.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Join a stable, employee-focused company with a strong backlog of work.
• Clear career path into Project Management and Program Management roles.
• Work on meaningful utility, infrastructure, and construction projects.
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture with strong leadership support.
• Exposure to both office and field operations, providing well-rounded project experience.
• Opportunity to work directly with clients and project leaders.
• Flexible environment that values work-life balance and professional growth.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop and maintain project schedules, forecasts, cost reports, and cash flow projections.
• Manage project controls systems and ensure accurate project data and reporting.
• Track project performance, budgets, schedules, and key milestones.
• Support engineering, procurement, and construction teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Analyze schedule impacts, perform forecasting, and help identify solutions to keep projects on track.
• Collaborate with project managers, accounting teams, and field personnel to support successful project delivery.
• Create reports, dashboards, and KPIs to communicate project performance to stakeholders.
• Participate in planning meetings, site visits, and client-facing discussions

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of project controls, project scheduling, or cost control experience.
• Experience working in engineering, construction, utility, or infrastructure environments.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6 and project scheduling methodologies.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and schedule management.
• Ability to develop and manage Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
• Strong analytical, reporting, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools is a plus.
• Utility, transmission, distribution, or substation project experience is highly preferred.

Work Environment

This position is based in Lexington, KY with a hybrid schedule. You'll typically spend three days in the Lexington office and two days supporting clients in Louisville, with mileage reimbursement provided. The team offers flexibility, strong mentorship, a collaborative culture, and opportunities for long-term growth within the organization.

Ideal For Someone Who Wants To

Grow into a Project Manager role

Gain exposure to large-scale utility and construction projects

Take ownership of project schedules, budgets, and forecasting

Work with a supportive, close-knit team

Build a long-term career with a stable and growing organization

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lexington, KY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.50 - $58.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Lexington,KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.