Senior Project Controls Specialist

STV Incorporated; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 128,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

STV Incorporated is seeking a Senior Project Controls Specialist to support the Project Controls Department in our Fairfax, VA / Washington, DC region offices. This lead-level role bridges the gap between specialist and manager, serving as a technical authority on cost, schedule, forecasting, and change management.

You will lead project controls activities on large programs, mentor junior staff, and coordinate with PMs, Construction Managers, and clients to ensure accurate reporting and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Controls, or a related discipline.
• 8–12+ years of progressive project controls experience on large-scale programs.
• Strong cost control, forecasting, schedule management, and change control expertise.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6, Microsoft Excel (advanced), and PMIS platforms such as e‑Builder, Kahua, Unifier.

Responsibilities

• Lead project controls activities for large, complex programs and mentor junior staff.
• Oversee budgets, cost tracking, forecasting, and EAC assessments.
• Develop, review, and maintain integrated project schedules using Primavera P6.
• Lead change management reviews and risk identification & mitigation planning.
• Prepare and present executive-level project controls reports and client dashboards.

Skills

Leadership

Cost control

Forecasting

Schedule management

Change control

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Construction Management/Project Controls

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Excel

e‑Builder

Kahua

Unifier

Job description

STV is seeking a Senior Project Controls Specialist to support the Project Controls Department in our Fairfax, VA / Washington, DC region offices. This role is designed for a highly experienced project controls professional who operates at a lead level, bridging the gap between Project Controls Specialist and Project Controls Manager. The ideal candidate will serve as a technical authority and trusted advisor to project teams and clients—responsible for overseeing cost, schedule, forecasting, and change management while providing functional leadership to other project controls staff. This position does not require direct people management, but it does require strong leadership, influence, and ownership of project controls outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Controls Leadership: Lead project controls activities for large, complex, or multi-dimensional programs, ensuring alignment with project objectives, contract requirements, and client standards. Serve as the primary project controls point of contact for assigned projects or programs, working closely with Project Managers, Construction Managers, and client representatives. Provide technical direction and mentorship to Project Controls Specialists and junior staff assigned to the project.
• Cost Management & Forecasting: Oversee project budgets, cost tracking, and forecasting in accordance with approved project controls procedures. Conduct detailed cost variance analysis, trend analysis, and estimate-at-completion (EAC) assessments. Identify, communicate, and help mitigate cost risks and budget impacts before they affect project outcomes. Support and review monthly financial reports, pay applications, and cost documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Schedule & Performance Management: Develop, review, and maintain integrated project schedules using Primavera P6 or similar CPM scheduling tools. Perform schedule impact analyses and support time extension and delay evaluations as required. Monitor project performance against baseline schedule milestones and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Change Management & Risk: Lead change management reviews, including analysis of scope, cost, and schedule impacts. Support claims avoidance through clear documentation, analysis, and proactive issue identification. Assist with risk identification, risk modeling, and mitigation planning in coordination with project and client teams.
• Reporting & Client Coordination: Prepare and present executive-level project controls reports, dashboards, and briefings for internal leadership and clients. Ensure compliance with client-specific reporting requirements, PMIS platforms, and governance protocols. Contribute to continuous improvement of project controls processes, templates, and best practices.

Qualifications

Required Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Controls, or a related discipline. 8–12+ years of progressive project controls experience, supporting large-scale infrastructure, transportation, or capital programs. Strong expertise in cost control, forecasting, schedule management, and change control. Proficiency with Primavera P6, Microsoft Excel (advanced), and project controls reporting tools. Experience working with PMIS platforms such as e‑Builder, Kahua, Unifier, or similar systems. Ability to operate independently with minimal oversight while coordinating across multiple teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Experience

Experience supporting public‑sector or transportation clients in the Mid‑Atlantic region. AACE certifications (PSP, CCP) or equivalent professional credentials. Prior experience leading project controls efforts on multi‑year or multi‑project programs. Strong presentation skills and comfort engaging with senior client stakeholders.

Compensation Range

$128,067.17 - $146,362.48

Benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days)
• Paid Holidays (9 days)
• Back‑Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year)
• Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good‑faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do.

STV is one of the top infrastructure-focused professional services firms in North America. Founded in 1912, STV advises, plans, designs, engineers and delivers the infrastructure that powers local economies, including transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 65 offices and 3,400 employees who reimagine the solutions and structures that connect our communities. The firm is ranked 32nd in Engineering News‑Record’s Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 10th in its transportation category.

STV is deeply committed to investing in its people and creating a world‑class employee experience. We are passionate about mentoring, coaching and cultivating our talent because we know they are destined to become the next generation of industry leaders. We’re also committed to delivering formative career experiences – and we do that by providing challenging and unique work experiences, by mapping multiple ways to advance (beyond the traditional career ladder!) and by recognizing those who successfully chart new and exciting paths for the firm.

We value a wide range of perspectives and experiences, without regard to any factor or characteristic, regardless of whether it is a category protected by federal, state and/or local law, making them an integral part of how we work. Our approach ensures that every individual is respected, heard, and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully. We remove barriers and create pathways for growth, embedding fairness into our daily operations.

Learn more at stvinc.com.

STV exists to make communities better through innovative solutions that connect people, places and the present to the future. Our local teams throughout the country deeply understand the needs of their communities and have the expertise to provide solutions. We are also committed to giving back to our communities and our neighbors through volunteering and philanthropic activities; fundraising events; scholarships, internships, and mentoring; and sustainability and community improvement projects. Learn more.

STV provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.