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Entry Level Project Controls Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Project Engineer, Associate

Richmond, VA · On-site

$75K - $113K/yr

... controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers ... Documenting project issues/conditions. * Maintaining organized and detailed project records.

Project Engineer, Associate

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$75K - $113K/yr

... controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers ... Documenting project issues/conditions. * Maintaining organized and detailed project records.

Project Engineer, Associate

Aldie, VA · On-site

$75K - $113K/yr

... controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers ... Documenting project issues/conditions. * Maintaining organized and detailed project records.

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Entry Level Project Controls information

See Virginia salary details

$19

$43

$66

How much do entry level project controls jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level project controls in Virginia is $43.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.77 and $50.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is project control a good career?

Entry level project controls roles involve monitoring project schedules, budgets, and progress to ensure successful completion. The field offers opportunities for growth with skills in scheduling software, data analysis, and certifications like PMP or CCP. It is a stable career path in industries such as construction, engineering, and manufacturing.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level project controls professionals, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level project controls professionals often encounter challenges such as mastering complex scheduling software, understanding project cost tracking, and adapting to rapidly changing project priorities. To overcome these, it's helpful to seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, proactively ask questions, and take advantage of training resources provided by the employer. Building strong communication skills is also key, as collaborating with project managers, engineers, and finance teams is a regular part of the role. Embracing a continuous learning mindset will help you adapt quickly and contribute effectively to project success.

What is the difference between Entry Level Project Controls vs Entry Level Cost Estimator?

AspectEntry Level Project ControlsEntry Level Cost Estimator
Required CredentialsAssociate's/Bachelor's in Construction Management, Engineering, or related fieldsAssociate's/Bachelor's in Finance, Accounting, or related fields
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, project offices, engineering firmsConstruction companies, consulting firms, government agencies
Industry UsagePlanning, scheduling, cost control, project monitoringCost analysis, budgeting, bid preparation, pricing

Entry Level Project Controls focuses on tracking project progress, scheduling, and cost management, while Entry Level Cost Estimator specializes in preparing cost estimates and budgets. Both roles require related educational backgrounds and are essential in construction and engineering projects, but they emphasize different aspects of project financials and planning.

What are entry level project controls?

Entry level project controls refer to junior roles focused on supporting the planning, monitoring, and reporting of projects, often in industries like construction, engineering, or IT. People in these positions assist with tasks such as tracking project schedules, costs, and resources, as well as preparing progress reports and identifying potential risks. They typically work under the supervision of senior project controllers or managers, helping to ensure projects stay on budget and on schedule. Entry level project controls positions are ideal for recent graduates or those new to project management, offering valuable experience and exposure to project management processes.

How do you get a PM job with no experience?

Entry level project controls roles often require some knowledge of project management principles, scheduling software like Primavera or MS Project, and basic understanding of construction or engineering processes. Gaining relevant certifications such as CAPM or PMP, even at an entry level, and demonstrating strong organizational and communication skills can improve chances of securing a project management position without prior experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Project Controls professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Project Controls professional, you need a basic understanding of project management principles, cost control, scheduling, and a relevant bachelor’s degree such as engineering or construction management. Familiarity with project management software like Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, and Excel, as well as foundational knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with project teams and interpret project data. These competencies are essential for ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to scope.

What is an entry level job in project management?

An entry level project controls position is a role suitable for individuals starting their careers in project management, focusing on supporting project planning, scheduling, cost tracking, and reporting. These roles often require basic knowledge of project management tools like MS Project or Primavera and may involve working under supervision to gain experience in managing project scope, timelines, and budgets.

How do I get into project controls?

To enter project controls, candidates typically need a background in engineering, construction, or related fields, along with strong skills in scheduling, cost management, and data analysis. Gaining experience with tools like Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project and obtaining certifications such as PMI's Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) can improve job prospects. Entry-level roles often require a bachelor's degree and good organizational skills to support project planning and monitoring activities.
What are the most commonly searched types of Project Controls jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Project Controls jobs in Virginia are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Project Controls jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Project Controls jobs in Virginia are:
Project Engineer, Associate

Project Engineer, Associate

M.C. Dean, Inc

Richmond, VA • On-site

$75K - $113K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


M.C. Dean rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

214th of 367 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values-agility, expertise, and trust-we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
Provides technical & administrative information to others working on a project to ensure that the work complies with all basic engineering standards, codes, specifications, and design instruction; trouble-shoots engineering related installation problems. Works closely supervised and solves problems of limited scope and complexity.
Responsibilities
  • Processing submittals.
  • Processing RFI's.
  • Keeping up daily work tickets.
  • Posting RFI's and change orders.
  • Tracking and managing change orders.
  • Maintaining as-builts as work is completed.
  • Documenting project issues/conditions.
  • Maintaining organized and detailed project records.
  • Submitting hours and cost codes.
  • Obtaining permits, badges and access requests in advance
  • Assists with preparing change orders.
  • Manage project library.
  • Participates in KPR (Key Project Review).

Qualifications
  • 0+ years of experience with Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (preferably from an ABET accredited program).

Abilities:
  • Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Identify and understand the speech of another person.

We offer an excellent benefits package including:
  • A competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Military Reserve pay offset
  • Paid maternity leave

Pay Range
USD $75,520.00 - USD $113,280.00 /Yr.

What M.C. Dean employees say

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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