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.

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Overview

Open roles88
Top employerTesla
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring35
Work type52% Hybrid
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 88+ Project Controls Specialist jobs

Senior Project Controls Analyst
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Added 3d ago
Senior Project Controls Analyst
Pacific Gas and Electric
Oakland, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$130k - $162k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Project Controls - Cost Lead
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Added 4d ago
Project Controls - Cost Lead
MP Materials
Mountain Pass, California
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$130k - $180k/yr
Bachelor's degree in finance
201-500

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Project Controls Manager
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Added 4d ago
Project Controls Manager
redwood resources
Los Angeles, California
Procurement & Purchasing
Procurement & Supply Chain
Supply Chain
$140k - $155k/yr

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Sr Project Engineer - Electromechanical Actuation - Military Flight Controls Division
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Added 5d ago
Sr Project Engineer - Electromechanical Actuation - Military Flight Controls Division
Parker Hannifin
Irvine, California
Cloud Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$123k - $215k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Project Controls Manager
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Added 6d ago
Project Controls Manager
Turner & Townsend Pty Limited
Los Angeles, California
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
Learning & Development
$140k - $170k/yr
Bachelor's degree in finance
201-500

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See All 88 Project Controls Specialist Jobs in California

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Project Controls Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
11 jobs
Oakland
5 jobs
San Diego
5 jobs
Pleasanton
4 jobs
Sacramento
4 jobs
Fresno
3 jobs
Irvine
3 jobs
Fremont
3 jobs

Project Controls Specialist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Tesla5 open roles
ENTRUST Solutions5 open roles
ACCO Engineered Systems3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Cybersecurity
  • Technology & Software
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Energy

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 Tesla, ENTRUST Solutions, and ACCO Engineered Systems, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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 Oakland 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 61% of project controls specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 88 Project Controls Specialist Jobs in California

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