Project Controls Specialist Jobs in California
Project Controls Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in infrastructure, defense, energy, and large-scale construction, with openings at every level from junior cost engineer through senior program controls lead. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, where major employers like Bechtel, AECOM, and the California Department of Transportation consistently staff project controls teams. Earned value management, cost forecasting, and schedule control using Primavera P6 are the most in-demand specialties across California's public and private sectors. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Open roles84
Top employerENTRUST Solutions
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring34
Work type56% On-site
Top industryConsulting
Showing 5 of 84+ Project Controls Specialist jobs
Sr. Project Controls Specialist
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Added 1d ago
Kleinfelder
Sr. Project Controls Specialist
San Diego, California
Added 1d ago
Mgr - Project Controls
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Added 1d ago
DPR Construction
Mgr - Project Controls
Santa Clara, California
Added 1d ago
Sr Mgr - Project Controls
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Added 1d ago
DPR Construction
Sr Mgr - Project Controls
Santa Clara, California
Added 1d ago
Deputy Director, Bart Silicon Valley Ii Project Controls
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Added 1d ago
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Deputy Director, Bart Silicon Valley Ii Project Controls
San Jose, California
Added 1d ago
Project Controls Manager
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Added 2d ago
KLA
Project Controls Manager
Milpitas, California
Added 2d ago
Added 1d ago
Sr. Project Controls Specialist
Kleinfelder·San Diego, California
Job functions:
$76k - $127k/yr
Associate's degree in finance
1,001-5,000 employees
Job Description
Job Description:
Take Your Delivery Management Career to the Next Level
Do you have a passion for managing budgets, meeting deadlines, and exceeding client expectations? Our delivery management professionals are involved in project delivery from initiation and planning to execution, monitoring, and closeout. Each phase requires strong attention to detail while communicating to internal and external stakeholders. Do you have a proven track record in managing goals and objectives? Consider joining our team and work with peers who have vast industry knowledge and experience solving complex problems.
Step into Your New Role
Move Forward with Kleinfelder: Kleinfelder and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver.
Progress with an Employer that Values You
Benefits: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary Range: $75,850 - $126,585.
Career Development: We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
Equal Opportunity: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Take Your Delivery Management Career to the Next Level
Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive!
Do you have a passion for managing budgets, meeting deadlines, and exceeding client expectations? Our delivery management professionals are involved in project delivery from initiation and planning to execution, monitoring, and closeout. Each phase requires strong attention to detail while communicating to internal and external stakeholders. Do you have a proven track record in managing goals and objectives? Consider joining our team and work with peers who have vast industry knowledge and experience solving complex problems.
Step into Your New Role
Kleinfelder is seeking a Project Controls Specialist to join our Southern California team in San Diego, Laguna Hills, or one of our other Southern California offices (Los Angeles, Ontario, Riverside).
As a Project Controls Specialist, you will:
- Work directly with Project Managers, Program Managers, and Senior Project Control Specialists to support in the execution of all project controls processes and systems on large-scale delivery projects from proposal to close-out phases.
- Work with the Project Manager to create Project Management Plans for project team application.
- Assist in the creation of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), schedules, earned value, and other project documents.
- Provide support for intermediate planning and scheduling for baseline, resources, and progress tracking needs.
- Implement and execute proper controls to proactively support, monitor, and communicate budget, actual status, and forecast costs, labor hours, and quantities for projects. Develop and issue timely cost reports. Prepare and issue cost analysis narratives including recommendations for corrective actions that are used by the project team to manage the work. Prepare earned value-based reports, including earned value curves.
- Assist with preparation of cost proposals in Kleinfelder and Client formats.
- Support Project Managers in contract management/compliance, invoice management, document control, client meetings/coordination, and interaction with AR Collections Specialist team.
- Take the lead in the development and maintenance of periodic status reports to keep management and/or client informed on the project progress.
- Coordination with Kleinfelder's contract department for initiation and completion of Prime/Sub agreement, Certificate of Insurance, subcontractor task orders, and Kleinfelder Master Service Agreements.
- Implementation and monitoring of project document structure to ensure QA/QC compliance, logical tier creation, and coordination of project files through administrative team. This includes hard copy, electronic, and SharePoint filing.
Requirements: Self-motivated, minimal supervision, detail oriented professional with 4-8 years in planning/scheduling, cost control, and project administration using MS Project, Excel, Word, and Outlook. Advanced skills in Excel and advanced spreadsheet functions preferred.
Education: Associates" degree from a two-year college in finance, business, or project management desirable.
Experience: Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Demonstrate team collaboration, communication, organization, and self-prioritization skills.
Must be:
- dependable and keep required work schedules.
- able to work effectively in a team environment and consistently maintain a professional and respectful demeanor/attitude with co-workers, clients, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
- a problem solver with the ability to find resolutions.
- detail orientated with the ability to catch and correct one's own errors, as well as those of others when proofreading.
Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.
Move Forward with Kleinfelder: Kleinfelder and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver.
Progress with an Employer that Values You
Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following:
Benefits: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary Range: $75,850 - $126,585.
Career Development: We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
Equal Opportunity: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.
Kleinfelder
Sr. Project Controls Specialist
San Diego, California
Added 1d ago1,001-5,000 employees
Job functions:
$76k - $127k/yr
Associate's degree in finance
Job Description
Job Description:
Take Your Delivery Management Career to the Next Level
Do you have a passion for managing budgets, meeting deadlines, and exceeding client expectations? Our delivery management professionals are involved in project delivery from initiation and planning to execution, monitoring, and closeout. Each phase requires strong attention to detail while communicating to internal and external stakeholders. Do you have a proven track record in managing goals and objectives? Consider joining our team and work with peers who have vast industry knowledge and experience solving complex problems.
Step into Your New Role
Move Forward with Kleinfelder: Kleinfelder and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver.
Progress with an Employer that Values You
Benefits: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary Range: $75,850 - $126,585.
Career Development: We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
Equal Opportunity: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Take Your Delivery Management Career to the Next Level
Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive!
Do you have a passion for managing budgets, meeting deadlines, and exceeding client expectations? Our delivery management professionals are involved in project delivery from initiation and planning to execution, monitoring, and closeout. Each phase requires strong attention to detail while communicating to internal and external stakeholders. Do you have a proven track record in managing goals and objectives? Consider joining our team and work with peers who have vast industry knowledge and experience solving complex problems.
Step into Your New Role
Kleinfelder is seeking a Project Controls Specialist to join our Southern California team in San Diego, Laguna Hills, or one of our other Southern California offices (Los Angeles, Ontario, Riverside).
As a Project Controls Specialist, you will:
- Work directly with Project Managers, Program Managers, and Senior Project Control Specialists to support in the execution of all project controls processes and systems on large-scale delivery projects from proposal to close-out phases.
- Work with the Project Manager to create Project Management Plans for project team application.
- Assist in the creation of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), schedules, earned value, and other project documents.
- Provide support for intermediate planning and scheduling for baseline, resources, and progress tracking needs.
- Implement and execute proper controls to proactively support, monitor, and communicate budget, actual status, and forecast costs, labor hours, and quantities for projects. Develop and issue timely cost reports. Prepare and issue cost analysis narratives including recommendations for corrective actions that are used by the project team to manage the work. Prepare earned value-based reports, including earned value curves.
- Assist with preparation of cost proposals in Kleinfelder and Client formats.
- Support Project Managers in contract management/compliance, invoice management, document control, client meetings/coordination, and interaction with AR Collections Specialist team.
- Take the lead in the development and maintenance of periodic status reports to keep management and/or client informed on the project progress.
- Coordination with Kleinfelder's contract department for initiation and completion of Prime/Sub agreement, Certificate of Insurance, subcontractor task orders, and Kleinfelder Master Service Agreements.
- Implementation and monitoring of project document structure to ensure QA/QC compliance, logical tier creation, and coordination of project files through administrative team. This includes hard copy, electronic, and SharePoint filing.
Requirements: Self-motivated, minimal supervision, detail oriented professional with 4-8 years in planning/scheduling, cost control, and project administration using MS Project, Excel, Word, and Outlook. Advanced skills in Excel and advanced spreadsheet functions preferred.
Education: Associates" degree from a two-year college in finance, business, or project management desirable.
Experience: Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Demonstrate team collaboration, communication, organization, and self-prioritization skills.
Must be:
- dependable and keep required work schedules.
- able to work effectively in a team environment and consistently maintain a professional and respectful demeanor/attitude with co-workers, clients, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
- a problem solver with the ability to find resolutions.
- detail orientated with the ability to catch and correct one's own errors, as well as those of others when proofreading.
Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.
Move Forward with Kleinfelder: Kleinfelder and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver.
Progress with an Employer that Values You
Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following:
Benefits: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary Range: $75,850 - $126,585.
Career Development: We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
Equal Opportunity: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.
See All 84 Project Controls Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsProject Controls Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
San Francisco
10 jobsSacramento
7 jobsOakland
6 jobsSan Diego
5 jobsFresno
3 jobsSan Jose
3 jobsSan Ramon
3 jobsMenlo Park
3 jobsConcord
2 jobsRoseville
2 jobsEl Segundo
2 jobsPleasanton
2 jobsSanta Clara
2 jobsIndio
1 jobIrvine
1 jobPomona
1 jobAnaheim
1 jobFremont
1 jobHayward
1 jobModesto
1 jobRocklin
1 jobMilpitas
1 jobStockton
1 jobValencia
1 jobHawthorne
1 jobPalo Alto
1 jobRiverside
1 jobSan Dimas
1 jobLong Beach
1 jobWatsonville
1 jobWestminster
1 jobSouth El Monte
1 jobRancho Cucamonga
1 jobProject Controls Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services12
- Cybersecurity5
- Technology & Software5
- Construction & Real Estate4
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project controls specialist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project for scheduling and planning
- Experience with earned value management and cost performance reporting
- Familiarity with California public agency contract requirements and reporting standards
- PMI Planning and Scheduling Professional or AACE International certification preferred
- Strong communication skills for coordinating with project managers and field teams
Project Controls Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project controls specialist in California?
Most project controls specialists in California enter the field with a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related discipline, then build experience in cost engineering or scheduling support roles. California does not require a state-issued license specific to project controls, but AACE International certifications such as the Certified Cost Professional and PMI's Planning and Scheduling Professional are widely recognized by California employers, particularly on public infrastructure and state agency contracts.
How much do project controls specialists make in California?
Project controls specialists in California earn a median of about $120,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,180 for the lowest 10% to over $188,560 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire project controls specialists in California?
Employers hiring project controls specialists in California right now include ENTRUST Solutions, STV, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large public infrastructure programs, defense contractors in Southern California, and major utilities in the Bay Area and Central Valley keep demand consistent throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most project controls specialist jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento have the most project controls specialist openings in California. Los Angeles anchors demand through its concentration of defense contractors, transportation megaprojects, and commercial construction firms, while San Francisco draws roles tied to technology campus builds and Bay Area transit expansion, and Sacramento sees steady hiring driven by state agency contracts and regional infrastructure programs.
Are there remote project controls specialist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since project controls work often requires on-site coordination with field teams and direct access to project documentation. About 44% of project controls specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote arrangements most frequently available for cost analysis, reporting, and schedule review functions on programs that have established controls processes.
How can I get hired as a project controls specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a junior cost engineer or project controls analyst role, which large California contractors and public agencies use to bring in candidates with strong analytical skills who can grow into full controls responsibilities. Employers like Bechtel, AECOM, and Caltrans-funded prime contractors recruit new graduates for assistant scheduler and cost support positions. Building proficiency in Primavera P6 through coursework or a certificate program and pursuing an entry-level AACE credential gives candidates a measurable edge in California's competitive hiring pool.
Where can I find and apply to project controls specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to project controls specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 84 Project Controls Specialist Jobs in California
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