Project Controls Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Project Controls Specialist jobs in Pennsylvania are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in construction, infrastructure, energy, and defense sectors and openings ranging from entry-level coordinators through senior program controls leads. The busiest hiring markets are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown, where major employers like AECOM, Bechtel, and Jacobs maintain long-standing project operations across capital programs and government contracts. Cost engineering, schedule management, and earned value analysis are the most in-demand specialties for this role across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 38+ Project Controls Specialist jobs
Key Responsibilities
Project Controls Program Support
- Contribute to cost control, scheduling, change management, and project reporting across the capital portfolio in coordination with Project Managers.
- Lead or support stage-gate readiness inputs, including estimate quality assessments, schedule readiness packages, and risk documentation.
- Support portfolio-level reporting and continuous improvement of project controls standards, tools, and processes.
- Support development and execution of operational readiness plans, including commissioning tracking, pre-startup reviews, and stage-gate milestone alignment.
- Coordinate cross-functional readiness activities such as training, spare parts provisioning, procedure development, and operations/maintenance handoff.
- Track readiness status across active projects and proactively surface gaps or risks to Project Managers and site leadership.
- Serve as a subject matter resource on Oracle ERP utilization for capital projects — advising on project setup, cost structures, PO workflows, and reporting — distinct from clerical data entry functions performed by support staff.
- Identify gaps between Oracle data and project controls records; drive resolution across finance, procurement, and project teams.
- Support Oracle system improvements and user adoption initiatives as they relate to capital project workflows.
- Support evaluation, piloting, and implementation of AI-enabled tools across project controls functions (e.g., schedule analytics, cost forecasting, document review, reporting automation).
- Partner with IT and project controls leadership to identify use cases, develop roadmaps, and measure adoption outcomes.
- Lead change management and training activities to drive effective tool adoption across project teams.
- Provide project-side procurement support, including purchase requisition development, scope-of-supply alignment, and bid package coordination with site procurement teams.
- Expedite critical equipment and material deliveries; maintain procurement logs and escalate schedule or cost risks driven by vendor performance.
- Track vendor submittals, inspections, and delivery milestones through project close-out.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field — or equivalent relevant experience.
- 8–10+ years of experience in project controls or capital project support in a heavy industrial or manufacturing environment (steel, metals, mining, chemicals, power, or similar).
- Demonstrated proficiency in cost control, scheduling, change management, and stage-gate processes in a multi-project capital portfolio.
- Working knowledge of Oracle ERP or comparable enterprise project/financial management systems.
- Familiarity with procurement, expediting, and operational readiness practices in an industrial project environment.
- Proficiency with project controls tools (e.g., Primavera P6, advanced Excel, cost management platforms).
- Technically credible with the experience to contribute substantively across controls disciplines and earn the confidence of project and site leadership.
- Collaborative and proactive — able to advance initiatives and influence outcomes across organizational boundaries without formal authority.
- Highly organized, analytically strong, and effective communicating complex project information to diverse audiences.
Key Responsibilities
Project Controls Program Support
- Contribute to cost control, scheduling, change management, and project reporting across the capital portfolio in coordination with Project Managers.
- Lead or support stage-gate readiness inputs, including estimate quality assessments, schedule readiness packages, and risk documentation.
- Support portfolio-level reporting and continuous improvement of project controls standards, tools, and processes.
- Support development and execution of operational readiness plans, including commissioning tracking, pre-startup reviews, and stage-gate milestone alignment.
- Coordinate cross-functional readiness activities such as training, spare parts provisioning, procedure development, and operations/maintenance handoff.
- Track readiness status across active projects and proactively surface gaps or risks to Project Managers and site leadership.
- Serve as a subject matter resource on Oracle ERP utilization for capital projects — advising on project setup, cost structures, PO workflows, and reporting — distinct from clerical data entry functions performed by support staff.
- Identify gaps between Oracle data and project controls records; drive resolution across finance, procurement, and project teams.
- Support Oracle system improvements and user adoption initiatives as they relate to capital project workflows.
- Support evaluation, piloting, and implementation of AI-enabled tools across project controls functions (e.g., schedule analytics, cost forecasting, document review, reporting automation).
- Partner with IT and project controls leadership to identify use cases, develop roadmaps, and measure adoption outcomes.
- Lead change management and training activities to drive effective tool adoption across project teams.
- Provide project-side procurement support, including purchase requisition development, scope-of-supply alignment, and bid package coordination with site procurement teams.
- Expedite critical equipment and material deliveries; maintain procurement logs and escalate schedule or cost risks driven by vendor performance.
- Track vendor submittals, inspections, and delivery milestones through project close-out.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field — or equivalent relevant experience.
- 8–10+ years of experience in project controls or capital project support in a heavy industrial or manufacturing environment (steel, metals, mining, chemicals, power, or similar).
- Demonstrated proficiency in cost control, scheduling, change management, and stage-gate processes in a multi-project capital portfolio.
- Working knowledge of Oracle ERP or comparable enterprise project/financial management systems.
- Familiarity with procurement, expediting, and operational readiness practices in an industrial project environment.
- Proficiency with project controls tools (e.g., Primavera P6, advanced Excel, cost management platforms).
- Technically credible with the experience to contribute substantively across controls disciplines and earn the confidence of project and site leadership.
- Collaborative and proactive — able to advance initiatives and influence outcomes across organizational boundaries without formal authority.
- Highly organized, analytically strong, and effective communicating complex project information to diverse audiences.
See All 38 Project Controls Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
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Find JobsProject Controls Specialist Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Controls Specialist Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Staffing & Recruiting
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project controls specialist jobs across Pennsylvania.
- PMI-SP, PSP, or PMP certification recognized by Pennsylvania employers in construction and infrastructure
- Proficiency in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project for schedule development and control
- Experience supporting earned value management on capital or government programs
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related technical field
- Familiarity with cost forecasting, change management, and variance analysis reporting
- Strong communication skills for coordinating with project managers and owner stakeholders
Project Controls Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project controls specialist in Pennsylvania?
Most project controls specialists in Pennsylvania enter the field through a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related discipline, then build experience on capital or infrastructure projects. Pennsylvania does not require a state-issued license for this role, but employers strongly favor candidates who hold industry credentials such as the Planning and Scheduling Professional certification from AACE International or the PMI Scheduling Professional designation. Gaining experience with Primavera P6 and earned value methods early on accelerates hiring considerably.
How much do project controls specialists make in Pennsylvania?
Project controls specialists in Pennsylvania earn a median of about $100,150 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $61,600 for the lowest 10% to over $160,560 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire project controls specialists in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring project controls specialists in Pennsylvania right now include FirstEnergy, ENFRA, and The GBS, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of large infrastructure, defense, and energy programs means that engineering and construction firms with long-term contract vehicles in the state represent some of the most consistent sources of openings.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most project controls specialist jobs?
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Reading have the most project controls specialist openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia drives volume through its large construction pipeline, transportation authority projects, and corporate headquarters, while Pittsburgh's presence in energy, higher education capital programs, and infrastructure redevelopment supports steady hiring, and smaller markets reflect work tied to specific large employers or active construction programs in those corridors.
Are there remote project controls specialist jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're limited. About 70% of project controls specialist openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that much of this work requires on-site schedule coordination, field verification, and direct engagement with construction or program teams. The portions of the role most amenable to remote work are cost reporting, data analysis, and document control functions that do not depend on physical site access.
How can I get hired as a project controls specialist in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a project controls coordinator or scheduler assistant role, which large Pennsylvania engineering and construction employers such as AECOM and Jacobs regularly post for candidates who hold a relevant degree but have limited field experience. Internship programs at these firms and at Pennsylvania transportation authorities provide structured exposure to P6 scheduling and cost tracking. Completing a Primavera P6 fundamentals course and earning an associate-level AACE credential, such as the Certified Associate Cost Engineer designation, gives candidates a concrete edge over those without any certification.
Where can I find and apply to project controls specialist jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to project controls specialist jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly through the listings.
See All 38 Project Controls Specialist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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