OPT Project Controls Specialist Jobs
Project Controls Specialist roles in cost management, schedule analysis, and earned value management qualify as specialty occupations under OPT work authorization. Most positions require a degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field, making them a strong fit for F-1 students with STEM OPT extensions.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout us:
At ENFRA, we blend a rich history with a forward-looking vision. With over 100 years of experience, we are a pillar of stability in the energy infrastructure industry and a leader in innovative energy solutions. Our commitment to leveraging emerging technologies ensures that we remain at the forefront of the Energy-as-a-Service sector.
We believe in growth—not just for our business, but for our people. Our team members have the opportunity to advance their careers in a supportive environment that values continuous learning and development. We embrace innovation and encourage creative problem solving to tackle the energy infrastructure and energy challenges of tomorrow.
Inclusion is at the heart of our culture. We strive to create a workplace where every voice is heard and valued, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives drive our success.
Join us to be part of a legacy of excellence and a future of groundbreaking advancements. At ENFRA, stability, innovation, and growth are more than just values—they are the pillars of our continued success.
Overview:
The Senior Project Controls Specialist is responsible for providing oversight of project Planning & Scheduling, Progress Measurement and Cost Management throughout all project phases. They are proactive self-starters with a proven ability to work independently and efficiently, while also engaging closely with the Project Team, Executives, Subcontractors, and Clients. They must proactively identify and solve problems that impact project performance. Focusing on continual improvement and opportunities for risk mitigation is a key responsibility of this position. The Senior Project Controls Specialist may be required to provide guidance to junior personnel. As such, they must have in-depth knowledge of the Project Controls function.
Responsibilities:
GENERAL:
- Leads the project controls team on large and highly complex EPC projects.
- Provides oversight in the areas of scheduling, cost management, change management, and risk management.
- Provides technical guidance for decisions by key stakeholders.
- Supports development of the constructability process, (the how it's built) & related interdependencies between Engineering, Procurement, Fabrication and Construction in support of feasibility studies.
- Interacts with Operations and represents the Company in the best manner to owners, subcontractors, and their representatives.
- Implements internal and contractual requirements on the project via the project controls execution plan.
- Leads setup and implementation of Project Management and Controls Systems.
- Attend all meetings concerning cost, progress, schedule, and contractual matters.
- Supports the preparation of the project close-out report.
- Support Division Project Controls Leadership with ad hoc tasks as required.
- From time to time, may participate in proposal development.
- Support development of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) on complex projects.
- Ensures adherence to Company systems and processes.
- May be required to take on more technical roles on smaller projects, including Procurement, Subcontract Administration, etc.
- Recommends solutions or recovery plans for problem areas.
- Supervise and mentor junior personnel in all Project Controls aspects.
- Actively looks for areas of improvement on project and company standards.
SCHEDULE:
- Oversees and assists in the development, maintenance, review, and analysis of the project schedule.
- Maintains outstanding issues logs and coordinate follow up as necessary.
- Monitor key dates, against dates defined in the main contract and any subcontracts.
- Develops schedule views as required, such as, Weekly and Six Week Look Ahead schedules.
COST CONTROL:
- Leads preparation of the monthly project EAC.
- Analyzes and interprets the project forecast.
- Supports Project Accounting with billing, revenue recognition, and cash flow processes.
- Supports the project controls team in development of the cost spread for cash flows.
PROGRESS MEASUREMENT:
- Leads the set up and maintenance of the progress measurement system.
- Oversees the quantity surveying and progress functions on the project.
- Monitor project progress; prepares necessary project reports weekly, monthly, or as required by the project cadence.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT:
- Responsible for Implementing and supporting the Change Management process.
- Supports change management efforts, including building of cost estimates and amendments to the contract.
- Evaluate, negotiate, and agree to costs and revenue with client and subcontractor(s) for changes in contract and subcontract work (on larger projects, this responsibility can be with the Contracts Manager).
- Prepare contract supplements (on larger projects, this responsibility is with the Contracts Manager).
- Support the development of claims including back charges against subcontractors and vendors.
RISK AND OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT:
- Implements and maintains the Project Risk and Opportunity process.
- Assists with risk and opportunity analysis for all phases of the project.
REPORTING:
- Responsible for accuracy of project controls reports.
- Participate or lead project reviews conducted with the client and internal management.
- Develop Cost Curves and Run-Down Curves.
- Develop Project Risk and Opportunity Management reports.
- Participate or lead the weekly and monthly cost and schedule review meetings.
- Create Weekly/Monthly/Quarterly Reports.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education, Experience, and Qualifications
- 4 year degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, business, finance, or a related field or
- 4 to 8 years of experience in project controls or project management, preferably in building construction, healthcare, or EPC.
- Demonstrated knowledge of scheduling, cost engineering, subcontract coordination, and general project administration.
- Familiarity reading drawings and specifications.
- Proficient in common business tools such as P6 and Microsoft Office applications.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Detail-oriented and willing to tackle various ongoing projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to multitask and perform duties outside of the scope of work when necessary.
Preferred Education, Experience, and Qualifications
- N/A
Travel Requirements
- 5-10% of time will be spent traveling to job site(s)/office location.
Physical/Work Environment Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Climbing stairs.
- Remaining in a stationary position, often kneeling, standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
- Quiet environment.
- Light work that includes adjusting and/or moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Pay Range: USD $101,610.00 - USD $135,640.00 /Yr.
ENFRA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities, and participates in the e-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.
About us:
At ENFRA, we blend a rich history with a forward-looking vision. With over 100 years of experience, we are a pillar of stability in the energy infrastructure industry and a leader in innovative energy solutions. Our commitment to leveraging emerging technologies ensures that we remain at the forefront of the Energy-as-a-Service sector.
We believe in growth—not just for our business, but for our people. Our team members have the opportunity to advance their careers in a supportive environment that values continuous learning and development. We embrace innovation and encourage creative problem solving to tackle the energy infrastructure and energy challenges of tomorrow.
Inclusion is at the heart of our culture. We strive to create a workplace where every voice is heard and valued, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives drive our success.
Join us to be part of a legacy of excellence and a future of groundbreaking advancements. At ENFRA, stability, innovation, and growth are more than just values—they are the pillars of our continued success.
Overview:
The Senior Project Controls Specialist is responsible for providing oversight of project Planning & Scheduling, Progress Measurement and Cost Management throughout all project phases. They are proactive self-starters with a proven ability to work independently and efficiently, while also engaging closely with the Project Team, Executives, Subcontractors, and Clients. They must proactively identify and solve problems that impact project performance. Focusing on continual improvement and opportunities for risk mitigation is a key responsibility of this position. The Senior Project Controls Specialist may be required to provide guidance to junior personnel. As such, they must have in-depth knowledge of the Project Controls function.
Responsibilities:
GENERAL:
- Leads the project controls team on large and highly complex EPC projects.
- Provides oversight in the areas of scheduling, cost management, change management, and risk management.
- Provides technical guidance for decisions by key stakeholders.
- Supports development of the constructability process, (the how it's built) & related interdependencies between Engineering, Procurement, Fabrication and Construction in support of feasibility studies.
- Interacts with Operations and represents the Company in the best manner to owners, subcontractors, and their representatives.
- Implements internal and contractual requirements on the project via the project controls execution plan.
- Leads setup and implementation of Project Management and Controls Systems.
- Attend all meetings concerning cost, progress, schedule, and contractual matters.
- Supports the preparation of the project close-out report.
- Support Division Project Controls Leadership with ad hoc tasks as required.
- From time to time, may participate in proposal development.
- Support development of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) on complex projects.
- Ensures adherence to Company systems and processes.
- May be required to take on more technical roles on smaller projects, including Procurement, Subcontract Administration, etc.
- Recommends solutions or recovery plans for problem areas.
- Supervise and mentor junior personnel in all Project Controls aspects.
- Actively looks for areas of improvement on project and company standards.
SCHEDULE:
- Oversees and assists in the development, maintenance, review, and analysis of the project schedule.
- Maintains outstanding issues logs and coordinate follow up as necessary.
- Monitor key dates, against dates defined in the main contract and any subcontracts.
- Develops schedule views as required, such as, Weekly and Six Week Look Ahead schedules.
COST CONTROL:
- Leads preparation of the monthly project EAC.
- Analyzes and interprets the project forecast.
- Supports Project Accounting with billing, revenue recognition, and cash flow processes.
- Supports the project controls team in development of the cost spread for cash flows.
PROGRESS MEASUREMENT:
- Leads the set up and maintenance of the progress measurement system.
- Oversees the quantity surveying and progress functions on the project.
- Monitor project progress; prepares necessary project reports weekly, monthly, or as required by the project cadence.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT:
- Responsible for Implementing and supporting the Change Management process.
- Supports change management efforts, including building of cost estimates and amendments to the contract.
- Evaluate, negotiate, and agree to costs and revenue with client and subcontractor(s) for changes in contract and subcontract work (on larger projects, this responsibility can be with the Contracts Manager).
- Prepare contract supplements (on larger projects, this responsibility is with the Contracts Manager).
- Support the development of claims including back charges against subcontractors and vendors.
RISK AND OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT:
- Implements and maintains the Project Risk and Opportunity process.
- Assists with risk and opportunity analysis for all phases of the project.
REPORTING:
- Responsible for accuracy of project controls reports.
- Participate or lead project reviews conducted with the client and internal management.
- Develop Cost Curves and Run-Down Curves.
- Develop Project Risk and Opportunity Management reports.
- Participate or lead the weekly and monthly cost and schedule review meetings.
- Create Weekly/Monthly/Quarterly Reports.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education, Experience, and Qualifications
- 4 year degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, business, finance, or a related field or
- 4 to 8 years of experience in project controls or project management, preferably in building construction, healthcare, or EPC.
- Demonstrated knowledge of scheduling, cost engineering, subcontract coordination, and general project administration.
- Familiarity reading drawings and specifications.
- Proficient in common business tools such as P6 and Microsoft Office applications.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Detail-oriented and willing to tackle various ongoing projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to multitask and perform duties outside of the scope of work when necessary.
Preferred Education, Experience, and Qualifications
- N/A
Travel Requirements
- 5-10% of time will be spent traveling to job site(s)/office location.
Physical/Work Environment Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Climbing stairs.
- Remaining in a stationary position, often kneeling, standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
- Quiet environment.
- Light work that includes adjusting and/or moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Pay Range: USD $101,610.00 - USD $135,640.00 /Yr.
ENFRA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities, and participates in the e-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.
See all 674+ OPT Project Controls Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Project Controls Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Project Controls Specialist
Target infrastructure and construction firms
Large engineering, procurement, and construction firms hire Project Controls Specialists regularly and have established visa sponsorship pipelines. Focus your applications on companies with active federal contracts, where project controls expertise is a compliance requirement, not a luxury.
Highlight earned value management experience
EVM proficiency is a hard requirement for many government-adjacent project controls roles. Demonstrating hands-on experience with cost performance index and schedule performance index calculations signals technical depth employers need when justifying specialty occupation status for OPT and H-1B visa.
Get certified early in your OPT window
Pursuing a PMI-SP or AACE certification during your OPT period strengthens your H-1B sponsorship case. Employers sponsoring your visa must demonstrate the role requires specialized knowledge, and industry credentials support that argument concretely.
Prioritize STEM OPT-eligible positions
Project Controls Specialist roles under construction management, industrial engineering, or systems engineering CIP codes typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to ensure you maximize your authorized work period.
Lead with Primavera P6 and cost control software skills
Employers screening for project controls candidates filter heavily on scheduling and cost software proficiency. Listing Primavera P6, Oracle Unifier, or SAP PS on your resume above the fold increases your chances of passing initial recruiter screening before sponsorship discussions even begin.
Address your OPT timeline directly with hiring managers
Project controls hiring cycles can run two to three months. Proactively share your OPT expiration date and STEM extension eligibility early, so employers can align their H-1B sponsorship timeline with their project staffing needs without last-minute surprises.
Project Controls Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Project Controls Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT and H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. Project Controls Specialist positions typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, construction management, or a closely related field, which meets the specialty occupation standard. Roles focused on cost engineering, schedule analysis, or earned value management have a strong track record of H-1B approval, but the specific job duties and degree match both matter.
Which degree fields qualify F-1 students for the STEM OPT extension in project controls roles?
Degrees in civil engineering, industrial engineering, systems engineering, construction management, and engineering management are the most common pathways to STEM OPT eligibility for project controls work. Degrees in business or general management without a STEM CIP code typically do not qualify. Confirm your specific degree's CIP code with your international student office before relying on the extension.
Where can I find Project Controls Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists project controls roles from employers who are open to sponsoring international candidates. Filtering for OPT-friendly positions saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship constraints late in the process. Most employers hiring for government contract or infrastructure projects are accustomed to working with candidates on work authorization.
How far in advance should I start applying for Project Controls Specialist roles given the H-1B lottery timeline?
Start applying at least six months before your OPT expires. H-1B registration opens in March for an October 1 start date, meaning your employer needs to be committed to sponsoring you by late February at the latest. For OPT holders expiring mid-year, missing one lottery cycle can mean a gap in work authorization, so early applications are critical.
Can I work as a Project Controls Specialist as an independent contractor on OPT?
Self-employment on OPT is permitted under USCIS rules, but it carries significant compliance risk. You must be actively engaged in work related to your degree field, and the arrangement must constitute genuine employment rather than passive income. Most project controls contractors work through staffing agencies or consulting firms, which simplifies the employment verification requirements under the OPT terms.