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Project Controls Specialist Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

The Project Controls, Associate will support the project team by developing, maintaining, and monitoring project schedules. Play a key role in ensuring project timelines are met, resources are ...

Project Controls, Associate

Aldie, VA · On-site

$75K - $94K/yr

The Project Controls, Associate supports the project team by developing, maintaining, and monitoring project schedules. Play a key role in ensuring project timelines are met, resources are ...

Project Controls, Staff

Manassas, VA · On-site

$90K - $113K/yr

... controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers ... Leads the development of detailed project schedules and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) to ...

The Project Control Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring effective management and control of projects within the organization. This position is responsible for monitoring project progress ...

The Project Control Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring effective management and control of projects within the organization. This position is responsible for monitoring project progress ...

The Project Control Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring effective management and control of projects within the organization. This position is responsible for monitoring project progress ...

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Project Controls Specialist information

See Reston, VA salary details

$20

$45

$69

How much do project controls specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for project controls specialist in Reston, VA is $45.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.60 and $53.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can a project controls specialist be done remotely?

Yes, many project controls specialists can perform their duties remotely, especially with the use of project management software, scheduling tools, and communication platforms. Remote work depends on the employer's policies, the project's requirements, and the need for on-site presence for certain tasks like site visits or inspections.

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 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 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 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 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 organizational and analytical skills.
What are the most commonly searched types of Project Controls Specialist jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Project Controls Specialist jobs in Reston, VA are:
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What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Project Controls Specialist jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Project Controls Specialist job openings:
Infographic showing various Project Controls Specialist job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,033 per year, or $45.7 per hour.

Project Controls, Associate

M.C. Dean, Inc

Bethesda, MD • On-site

$75K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


M.C. Dean rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

290th of 446 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 9,000 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.
The Project Controls, Associate will support the project team by developing, maintaining, and monitoring project schedules. Play a key role in ensuring project timelines are met, resources are effectively allocated, and project progress is accurately tracked and reported. Responsibilities will encompass various aspects of project scheduling, quality control, and coordination with different stakeholders. Have a keen eye for detail, excellent organizational skills, and ability to learn scheduling software.
Responsibilities
  • Executes the creation and updating of project schedules, ensuring all activities have appropriate predecessors and successors.
  • Performs deconstruction of project scope into discrete activities complying with maximum allowed durations.
  • Implements procurement, submittals, reviews, and material delivery timelines into the project schedule.
  • Analyzes the accuracy of quantity take-offs and ensures all items are accounted for in the schedule.
  • Resource loads the project schedule, forecasting material, equipment, and labor needs.
  • Tracks project costs, schedule, and earned value to provide accurate project status updates.
  • Inputs and updates pending and approved change orders in the schedule.
  • Designs schedules frag nets to demonstrate the impact of submittals on change orders. • Leads coordination of site surveys and supports the establishment of work areas as needed. • Identifies constructability constraints and impacts, ensuring they are reflected in the schedule.
  • Produces baseline vs. actual schedule reports and monthly schedule narratives.
  • Maintains accurate and complete CPM network narratives, providing insights into project status and potential mitigation strategies.

Qualifications
  • 6+ years of experience with a High School Diploma or
  • 4+ years of experience with an Associate degree or
  • 0+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree

Preferred but not required:
  • Project Management Software (PM Online) - In-house Software.
  • AS400 (internal)CMMS software
  • Primavera P6 software

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

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.

Pay Range
USD $75,520.00 - USD $94,400.00 /Yr.

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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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