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Project Controls Specialist Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

ESPO Corporation

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Assistant Project Controls Specialist (Cost/Reporting) - 26-00604

Bloomington, MN · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Assistant Project Controls Specialist (Cost/Reporting) 12 month contract to hire Bloomington, MN or Duluth, MN The Assistant Project Controls Specialist will support all aspects of project controls ...

New

KFI Engineers PC

Controls Specialist

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Controls Specialist Department: Performance Group (PG) Reporting Relationship: Controls Manager ... Project Management * Acts as a Project Manager, including developing project plans, schedules ...

McGough Construction

MEP Project Specialist

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

MEP PROJECT SPECIALIST The MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) Project Specialist provides ... Support complex controls systems including I&C, BAS, PLC, PCS, SCADA, and EMS. * Review close-out ...

McGough

MEP Project Specialist

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

MEP PROJECT SPECIALIST The MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) Project Specialist provides ... Support complex controls systems including I&C, BAS, PLC, PCS, SCADA, and EMS. * Review close-out ...

Socket.dev

Sr. Controls Specialist

Zumbrota, MN · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Manage multiple projects, vendors, and contractors as related to implementation of engineering ... Serve as technical authority on process controls and electrical engineering matters. Approve ...

New

Guida's Dairy

Sr. Controls Specialist

Zumbrota, MN · On-site

Manage multiple projects, vendors, and contractors as related to implementation of engineering ... Serve as technical authority on process controls and electrical engineering matters. Approve ...

Allete

Enterprise Project Controls Leader

Duluth, MN · On-site

$94K - $117K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Salary, not eligible for over time Enterprise Project Controls Leader $94,000 - $117,000 | Hybrid with in-person reporting to one of the following Minnesota locations: Duluth, Cloquet, Eveleth ...

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All JobsProject Controls Specialist JobsProject Controls Specialist Jobs in Minnesota

Project Controls Specialist information

See Minnesota salary details

$19

$42

$65

How much do project controls specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for project controls specialist in Minnesota is $42.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.34 and $49.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a project controls specialist?

Project Controls Specialists are professionals who monitor, analyze, and report on various aspects of project performance, such as cost, schedule, and risk. They play a key role in ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget by providing accurate data and forecasts to project managers and stakeholders. Their responsibilities typically include developing project schedules, tracking progress, managing budgets, and identifying potential issues before they impact project delivery. Project Controls Specialists often work in industries like construction, engineering, and energy, where large-scale projects require close oversight.

What does a project controls specialist do?

As a project controls specialist, you track employee performance during a project and support all managers involved with this project. In this role, you may report any problems with the project, help ensure the schedule and budget match the objectives of the project, and otherwise ensure operations conform to the plan. This is often an intermediate managerial role that works directly below the primary project manager, but above the employees who are doing most of the actual work on the project. Most project control specialists focus on large, complex projects, and may help with several different projects at the same time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project controls specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Controls Specialist, you need expertise in project management, cost control, scheduling, and data analysis, typically supported by a degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Primavera P6, MS Project, and Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), as well as relevant certifications such as PMP or AACE, is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure projects remain on track, within budget, and risks are proactively managed for successful project delivery.

What are some common challenges faced by project controls specialists when managing large-scale projects?

Project Controls Specialists often encounter challenges such as integrating data from multiple sources, maintaining up-to-date project schedules, and ensuring cost control across various project phases. Managing communication between different departments and adapting to frequent changes in project scope or timelines are also common hurdles. Proactively addressing these issues requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration with project managers, engineers, and stakeholders.

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

AspectProject Controls SpecialistCost Analyst
CredentialsPM certifications, industry-specific trainingFinance or accounting certifications, such as CPA or CMA
Work EnvironmentConstruction, engineering, or infrastructure projectsCorporate finance, manufacturing, or government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in project-driven industries like construction and engineeringCommon in finance, manufacturing, and government sectors

While both roles involve financial and project data, a Project Controls Specialist focuses on overall project scheduling, risk management, and performance tracking, whereas a Cost Analyst primarily analyzes project costs and budgets. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and focus, with the Project Controls Specialist managing broader project controls and the Cost Analyst concentrating on cost specifics.

Is project controls a good career?

Project controls is a valuable career path that involves planning, scheduling, cost management, and risk analysis to ensure project success. Professionals in this field often use tools like Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project and may pursue certifications such as PMI-SP or AACE certifications. It offers opportunities across industries like construction, engineering, and manufacturing with a focus on analytical skills and attention to detail.
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Project Controls Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Project Controls Specialist job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,301 per year, or $42.9 per hour.

Project Controls Specialist

System One

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Project Controls Specialist Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Project Controls Specialist to support complex capital projects across utility projects. This individual will play a critical role in cost analysis, forecasting, reporting, earned value management, contractor oversight, and project controls execution from planning through closeout. The ideal candidate brings 8+ years of project-based experience supporting both owner-side and EPC projects, with a strong background in shutdowns, turnarounds, capital expansion, outage support, and large-scale construction programs. This person will be responsible for maintaining cost visibility, improving reporting accuracy, supporting project teams with timely financial data, and ensuring alignment between budget, schedule, and field execution. Key Responsibilities:
  • Develop, maintain, and analyze project budgets, forecasts, commitments, accruals, and cost reports.
  • Provide project controls leadership across multiple phases including planning, execution, turnaround/outage support, and closeout.
  • Track and report actuals vs. forecast, percent complete, productivity, commitments, and earned value metrics.
  • Prepare and distribute daily, weekly, and monthly reports for project teams and executive leadership.
  • Support shutdowns, turnarounds, outages, and capital projects with cost tracking, staffing visibility, and contractor reporting.
  • Manage force reporting, labor tracking, contractor participation, and resource utilization
  • Partner with schedulers and project managers to ensure alignment between cost, schedule, and field progress.
  • Monitor project changes, maintain change logs, and support change management processes.
  • Assist in development of project estimates, including support through AFE or approval stages.
  • Review procurement status, purchase orders, invoice workflows, and material commitments.
  • Support contractor performance oversight and validate progress, deliverables, and reporting accuracy.
  • Build and maintain S-curves, productivity reports, headcount reports, dashboards, and executive summaries.
  • Interface with operations, engineering, maintenance, turnaround, construction, procurement, and finance teams.
  • Support software setup, reporting improvements, onboarding, and process streamlining for project controls tools.
  • Provide project control systems and reporting structures from inception through execution.
Required Qualifications:
  • No degree required—commensurate experience is acceptable.
  • 10+ years of experience in cost engineering, project controls, cost control, or project management support
  • Strong experience in EPC, owner-side capital projects, refinery, petrochemical, oil & gas, utilities, or power environments
  • Demonstrated experience supporting shutdowns, turnarounds, outages, and major capital projects
  • Proven background in:
    • Cost forecasting
    • Budget tracking
    • Accruals
    • Earned value management
    • Contractor reporting
    • Progress measurement
    • Change management
    • Executive reporting
  • Strong knowledge of project controls processes across the full project lifecycle.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, formulas, reporting tools, and automation.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams and present project data clearly to stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience supporting projects in excess of multi-million to billion-dollar capital value.
  • Background with annual outages, reactor outage support, refinery turnarounds, or large plant shutdowns.
  • Experience leading coordination meetings and supporting cross-functional project teams.
  • Familiarity with contractor timesheet systems, force reporting tools, and procurement tracking.
  • PMI membership or project controls-related training/certification preferred.
Technical Skills: Proficient in enterprise and project management systems, including SAP, Oracle Primavera P6, Procore, InEight, Power BI, Microsoft Access and Excel, IBM Maximo, SAP Ariba and BusinessObjects, Oracle SQL, JD Edwards, EcoSys, Toad for Oracle, Aconex, EPMS, and GCAS. Core Competencies: Expertise in cost engineering, project controls, forecasting, risk and change management, trend identification, planning and scheduling leadership, team alignment, portfolio and executive reporting, S-curve development, estimate enhancement, SOX accrual support, process improvement, and contractor coordination. Ref: #192-Precision San Antonio

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About System One

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System One helps employers get work done more efficiently and economically without compromising quality. Over our 35+ year history, we've helped connect thousands of talented people with innovative companies. The excitement of a perfect fit motivates us every single day.

Industry

Business consulting services and recruiting and staffing services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Pittsburgh, PA, US

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