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Project Controls Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Project Manager (HCAI)

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

Manage project controls, cost, schedule, performance activities, and procedures required by the ... Associate DBIA or DBIA Certification is preferred Travel Requirements This position is site based ...

Resources Business Group Accountant

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Be responsible for using knowledge and experience in project controls, support the technical ... Associate degree in a closely related field or combination of education and relevant experience * A ...

Project Scheduler

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$67K - $94K/yr

Meet contractual scheduling/ project controls requirements. * Develop, maintain and/or analyze ... An associate's degree or technical school diploma/certificate in a related program with little to ...

Associate's degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience required; Bachelor ... Proficiency with traditional project controls systems, databases, and methodologies required

Associate's degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience required; Bachelor ... Proficiency with traditional project controls systems, databases, and methodologies required

Associate's degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience required; Bachelor ... Proficiency with traditional project controls systems, databases, and methodologies required

Assistant Project Manager

Los Angeles, CA ยท Hybrid

$80K - $100K/yr

Maintain and update Procore for project controls, reporting, and team coordination * Support the ... Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field ...

Senior Project Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท Hybrid

$80K - $100K/yr

Maintain and update Procore for project controls, reporting, and team coordination * Support the ... Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field ...

Performing or supporting project management and project controls of construction projects ... At the Associate and Senior Associate level, total compensation includes base salary, bi-weekly ...

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Showing results 1-20

Project Controls Associate information

See California salary details

$19

$43

$65

How much do project controls associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for project controls associate in California is $43.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.58 and $50.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Project Controls Associate do?

A Project Controls Associate supports project management teams by monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on project cost, schedule, and performance data. They help ensure that projects stay on track by identifying variances, preparing forecasts, and maintaining detailed records of project progress. Their work involves collaborating with project managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to provide timely and accurate information that facilitates decision-making. This role is essential for maintaining project efficiency, controlling budgets, and minimizing risks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Project Controls Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Controls Associate, you need a solid understanding of project management principles, data analysis, and cost/schedule control, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field. Familiarity with project management software such as Primavera P6, MS Project, and proficiency in Excel, along with knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you manage project data and collaborate with stakeholders. These competencies are crucial for ensuring projects stay on track, on budget, and aligned with organizational objectives.

What is the difference between Project Controls Associate vs Cost Analyst?

AspectProject Controls AssociateCost Analyst
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in project management, finance, or related field; certifications like CAPM or PMP are commonRequires a degree in finance, accounting, or related; certifications like CPC or CMA are advantageous
Work EnvironmentWorks on project schedules, progress tracking, and reporting within construction, engineering, or IT projectsFocuses on budgeting, cost tracking, and financial analysis within similar industries
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by construction, engineering, and infrastructure firms for project oversightCommon in finance, construction, and engineering sectors for financial management

The Project Controls Associate and Cost Analyst roles share overlapping skills in project budgeting and financial tracking. However, the Project Controls Associate primarily focuses on project scheduling, progress monitoring, and reporting, while the Cost Analyst emphasizes cost analysis, budgeting, and financial forecasting. Both roles are essential for project success but serve different aspects of project management and financial oversight.

How does a Project Controls Associate typically collaborate with project managers and other team members?

Project Controls Associates work closely with project managers, schedulers, and cost engineers to ensure that all aspects of a project are on track. They regularly participate in team meetings to provide updates on scheduling, budgeting, and progress tracking. Effective communication and collaboration are essential, as they often need to coordinate data collection, analyze project performance, and help implement corrective actions when necessary. This cross-functional teamwork helps ensure that projects meet their deadlines and budgetary constraints.
What are the most commonly searched types of Project Controls jobs in California? The most popular types of Project Controls jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Project Controls Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Project Controls Associate jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Project Controls Associate job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,985 per year, or $43.3 per hour.
Controls Project Manager-Service

Controls Project Manager-Service

Sunbelt Controls

Cypress, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description


JOB SUMMARY:
The Project Manager has responsibility to acquire new projects at acceptable margin levels and to manage these projects to successful completion. Under general supervision, acts as project leader, flexibly responding to customer requirements. Using sound project management techniques oversees the required day-to-day activities. Performs engineering to controls team standards. Responsible for financial results of projects and activities assigned. Maintains customer satisfaction while balancing project financial goals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Leadership of client meetings and development of contracts to finalize sales, and maintains positive relationships with all clients, vendors, subcontractors, and industry contacts.
  • Develops and updates project implementation plans, coordinating resources to ensure timely and cost-effective installation and completion of assigned projects or tasks. Completion of concept engineering, as well as creating full and complete project estimates, drafting written proposal responses and contracts.
  • Ensures profitable completion of each project or task. Effectively manages cash, cost, and billing. Consistently produces billings in a timely and accurate manner in a format required by our customers and ensures that billings are clearly communicated to our customers. Maintains profitability goals and positive cash flow. Understands and provides input on cost allocation to financial reporting systems. Effectively communicates financial status to management.
  • Manages the engineering job process to include coordination with controls engineering team activities. When required by the field manager will configure, design and engineer systems in the most cost-effective manner while maintaining quality and ensuring customer satisfaction. As needed will customize standard software from controls team or existing standards library. Oversees project construction for compliance with specifications, codes, material, installation techniques and safety activities. Responsible for customer approval of detailed job submittals created for the project.
  • Manages material procurement process for the projects assigned. May select and order appropriate materials. Monitor's material usage, cost, and inventory.
  • Obtains lead time discounts when possible.
  • Plans and monitors commissioning and checkout of the system before release to the owner/operator. Ensures job completion documentation is complete.
  • Properly assigns technical resources for problem resolutions.
  • Proactively evaluates potential problems on the job and initiates action to limit negative outcomes. Reviews customer's systems during installation and, if needed, points out other areas of improvement resulting in value-added change orders. Provide estimates for additional work for the customer with help of project manager. Pursues change-orders for equitable adjustments to contracts.
  • Coordinates on-site visit for service personnel and ensures a transition to service is achieved.
  • Develops and maintains viable relationships with customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and trade personnel. Schedules and attends progress meetings as directed. Provides detailed instructions to and interfaces with installers and subcontractors. Ensures that subcontractors readily understand the expectations of the project.
  • Adheres to safety standards. High degree of regard to employee and subcontractor safety.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering and 10+ years of work experience OR an associate degree with equivalent related work and engineering experience.
  • Five years' experience in the construction industry.
  • Ability to operate independently and autonomously, and yet possess the discretionary judgment to know when it's appropriate to consult with others in the organization.
  • Familiar with construction trade labor practices.
  • Ability to effectively represent Sunbelt Controls and communicate with customers and others at varying technical levels.
  • Must have a user and a basic level of ALC programming and operational experience or acquire these skills through self-directed training.
  • Demonstrate a corresponding high sense of integrity.
  • Demonstrated experience/ability to develop new business.
  • Strong interpersonal and project management abilities, employing strong organizational skills to respond successfully to a high volume of issues.

ACCO COMPETENCIES:
  • Proactivity / Initiative: Recognizes what needs to be done and accomplishes it in a manner appropriate for one's level/position and with minimal supervision.
  • Perseverance: Shows the wherewithal to fight for difficult goals despite challenges and to bounce back from adversity.
  • Insight: The ability to gather and make sense of information that suggests new possibilities.
  • Engagement: Shows a knack for using emotion and logic to communicate a persuasive vision and connect with people.
  • Teamwork: The ability to effectively work toward common goals with others by supporting, encouraging, and sharing information in an authentic and approachable manner.
  • Big Picture: Understands and contributes to organizations' short- and long-term business strategy. On a personal level has independently developed a vision for short- and long-term career success.
  • Motivation / Dedication: Commits to excellence in pursuing unselfish goals. Initiates action with collective goals takes responsibility and shows personal humility.
  • Technical Curiosity / Willingness to Learn: Interest in seeking out new experiences, knowledge, and candid feed, back; demonstrating an openness to learning and change.
  • Problem-Solver: Ability to identify, analyze, and solve a problem in support of personal, group, department, or organizational objectives.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
(The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
  • Must regularly lift and /or move up to 30 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
  • While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision and Ability to adjust focus.
  • The employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.
  • The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
  • You are a responsible person with the ability to multi-task. You understand that regular & routine attendance is required.

HOURS:
Monday through Friday beginning between 6:00 am and 7:00 am and ending between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm, with one hour for lunch. Eight hours per day is required, and occasional overtime may be necessary due to business needs.
COMPETITIVE WAGES:
$81,000 to $107,000 Annual Salary. Applicants please note that actual compensation is determined by several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, certifications, relevant education or training, and specific work location, among others. The offered wage or salary is only one aspect of an employee's total compensation.
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About Us
Sunbelt Controls is a premier provider of building automation system solutions and services for a wide portfolio of clients across the Western United States. We provide BAS solutions that are comprehensive, ranging from new construction installation and system retrofits to preventative service, data analytics and fault detection diagnostics. We lead the industry with building control products and solutions that reduce energy and operational cost across several vertical markets, including office buildings, data centers, healthcare, education, and biotech/pharmaceutical.We deliver value to our clients by utilizing emerging technologies to create smarter buildings through our professional solutions, services, experiences, and ingenuity. Our employees are comprised of intelligent, dedicated, and entrepreneurial team members who put customers first and enjoy what they do. We believe there is a better way... to grow professionally, to partner and deliver a project. If you are ready for new challenges and new opportunities, come join our team!
What's great about working at Sunbelt Controls is that we're a big enough company to be a leader in Automated Controls contracting in California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southwest U.S., but as a 100% employee-owned ESOP, we're a private company with a family-oriented feel. Together, the employees of Sunbelt Controls are comprised of intelligent, dedicated, and entrepreneurial team members who put customers first and enjoy what they do.
SUNBELT CONTROLS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AA M/F/V/D.
We proudly hire U.S. Military Veterans, and those qualified are encouraged to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity is The Law.|Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
Sunbelt Controls will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment.
At this time, Sunbelt Controls is unable to provide visa sponsorship.