Principal Project Controls Estimator
Locations: Charlotte, NC
Field based with mobilization to project site in Davie County, NC
Contract duration: 12-month W2 Contract
Job Description:
Summary
The Principal Project Controls Specialist is a critical lead position responsible for cost management and project controls integration on major power generation construction projects. This position supports Project Managers and Project Directors on projects of varying size and complexity, leading the setup, maintenance, and analysis of project controls status including cost, contracts, WBS, schedule, and resources.
This role requires expert-level proficiency with project controls software tools and advanced analytical capabilities. The position demands deep understanding of cost forecasting, earned value management, and integration of cost-schedule data on complex engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects.
This is a field-based position supporting a construction project. Power plant construction experience (Combined Cycle, Simple Cycle, Solar, or Battery) and mobilization to the field site is required. Project is starting later this year with work occurring in the charlotte office. Project is expected to mobilize to the field in Spring 2028, with both units planned to be in-service in Fall 2032.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Management & Forecasting:
Establish and maintain project cost baselines, budgets, and forecasts with high certainty on large-scale construction projects
Lead earned value management (EVM) analysis, variance reporting, and trend analysis
Integrate cost data with site activities and vendor deliverables to ensure accurate financial tracking
Manage project contingency and risk reserves
Develop cost estimates and manage monthly accruals
Maintain cost systems and generate monthly cost reports and project documentation
Project Controls Integration:
Understand phased project funding and manage roll-up of estimates into cost reports
Provide cost-schedule integration analysis to support critical path decisions
Work with field schedulers to update integrated schedules and perform impact analysis
Review and assess change orders for cost and schedule impacts
Coordinate with vendors to gather and verify cost and schedule updates through submittals, field walkdowns, and direct communication
Reporting & Communication:
Generate monthly reports and site-specific documentation for PM/PD teams
Lead project controls reviews and status presentations
Support project funding submittals with detailed cost and schedule analysis
Leadership & Collaboration:
Lead and coordinate the site project controls team
Serve as technical subject matter expert and mentor to project controls team members
Lead implementation of project controls methodologies and best practices
May supervise junior project controls staff as assigned
Support multiple projects simultaneously as required
Basic/Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Finance, or Business Administration AND 10 years of related work experience, OR High School diploma/equivalent AND 14 years of related work experience
Demonstrated lead-level experience with complex EPC projects in power generation (Combined Cycle, Simple Cycle, Solar, or Battery construction)
Expert proficiency in cost forecasting and project controls methodologies on large-scale construction projects
High proficiency in MS Excel and cost management systems
Experience with Primavera P6, Ecosys, Maximo, and project controls reporting systems
Willingness to mobilize to field site in Davie County, NC
Valid driver's license
Desired Qualifications
ECOSYS administration, configuration, and management experience
Experience creating training packages and training teams on ECOSYS
Web BI and Power BI data migration experience
Familiarity with LoadSpring application
Master's degree in Project Management, Finance, or Business Administration
Professional certifications: AACE-CCC (Certified Cost Consultant), AACE-EVP (Earned Value Professional), or PMP (Project Management Professional)
Additional certifications: AACE-CEP, AACE-PSP, PMI-SP, or CAPM
Proficiency with MS Project, ECOSYS, Primavera P6, Acumen Fuse, Business Objects, Prolog, Passport, Visio, Powerplant, PeopleSoft
Strong collaborative team member with proven ability to work across functional groups
Consulting Solutions and its family of companies is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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