Project Controls Specialist - 100% Remote

ACTalent; Nashville (TN); Remote; USD 60,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Staff Project Controls Specialist for a 100% remote role serving clients in the Transmission, Distribution, Power and Utilities sectors. The ideal candidate will support complex engineering and construction projects from planning through execution, partnering with Project Managers and technical teams to maintain cost, schedule, and forecast accuracy.

Responsibilities include developing schedules, cost reports, and cash flows; building WBS structures; applying CPM

Qualifications

• 3+ years direct project controls experience in utility/infrastructure projects.
• Experience with Transmission/Distribution, Power, or Substation projects.
• Strong scheduling, cost control, forecasting, and reporting capabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Construction Management preferred; degree can be substituted by applicable industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead project controls activities across multiple Transmission, Distribution, Power, and Utility projects.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, cost reports, forecasts, cash flows, and progress reporting.
• Create and manage Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
• Support planning and scheduling across engineering, procurement, and construction.
• Build project schedules using Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling techniques.
• Monitor project progress, resource loading, milestones, and schedule performance.
• Perform schedule analysis and what-if scenarios to identify potential project impacts.
• Develop and maintain Earned Value Management (EVM) and progress measurement systems.
• Partner directly with Project Managers on project execution, forecasting, cost management, and schedule strategy.
• Review project costs, contingency, Purchase Orders, Subcontracts, and change orders.
• Develop and present cash flow and project performance reports.
• Coordinate with Project Management, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Accounting teams.

Skills

Project Controls

Scheduling

Cost control

Forecasting

Reporting

EPC lifecycle

WBS development

Education

Engineering/Construction mgmt degree

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Staff Project Controls Specialist

100% Remote | CST or EST Based | Transmission & Distribution / Power & Utilities

Were looking for an experienced Project Controls professional with a strong Transmission, Distribution, Power, or Utility background to support complex engineering and construction projects.

This is a 100% remote opportunity for someone based in the Central or Eastern time zones who understands how large-scale utility projects move from planning through engineering, procurement, construction, and execution.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being at the center of a project, partnering closely with Project Managers and technical teams to keep cost, schedule, forecasting, and overall project performance on track.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead project controls activities across multiple Transmission, Distribution, Power, and Utility projects

• Develop and maintain project schedules, cost reports, forecasts, cash flows, and progress reporting

• Create and manage Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)

• Support planning and scheduling across engineering, procurement, and construction

• Build project schedules using Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling techniques

• Monitor project progress, resource loading, milestones, and schedule performance

• Perform schedule analysis and what-if scenarios to identify potential project impacts

• Develop and maintain Earned Value Management (EVM) and progress measurement systems

• Partner directly with Project Managers on project execution, forecasting, cost management, and schedule strategy

• Review project costs, contingency, Purchase Orders, Subcontracts, and change orders

• Develop and present cash flow and project performance reports

• Support Interactive Project Planning Meetings (IPPM)

• Coordinate with Project Management, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Accounting teams

• Perform quality reviews of project controls deliverables and reporting

• Support project audits, field validation, and forensic schedule/project analysis when needed

What We're Looking For

Must Have:

• 3+ years of direct Project Controls experience

• Experience supporting Transmission, Distribution, Power, Utilities, Substation, or similar infrastructure projects

• Strong experience with project scheduling, cost control, forecasting, and project reporting

• Understanding of engineering, procurement, and construction project lifecycles

• Experience developing and maintaining project schedules and WBS structures

• Strong ability to work with Project Managers and cross-functional technical teams

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred

• Applicable industry experience can substitute for the degree requirement

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• 100% remote

• Open to candidates throughout the Central and Eastern time zones

• Opportunity to support major Transmission, Distribution, Power, and Utility infrastructure projects

• High-visibility role working directly with Project Management and technical leadership

• Exposure to projects throughout the full lifecycle, from planning and engineering through construction

• Great fit for someone who wants to stay heavily involved in project execution and controls without needing to be onsite every day

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Nashville, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $43.27 - $52.88/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 job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

• Short and long-term disability

• Health Spending Account (HSA)

• Transportation benefits

• Employee Assistance Program

• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Nashville, TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 25, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment 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 the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.