Senior Project Controls Specialist Jobs in Reston, VA

STV is seeking a Senior Project Controls Specialist to support the Project Controls Department in our Fairfax, VA / Washington, DC region offices. This role is designed for a highly experienced project controls professional who operates at a lead level, bridging the gap between Project Controls Specialist and Project Controls Manager.

The ideal candidate will serve as a technical authority and trusted advisor to project teams and clients-responsible for overseeing cost, schedule, forecasting, and change management while providing functional leadership to other project controls staff. This position does not require direct people management, but it does require strong leadership, influence, and ownership of project controls outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Project Controls Leadership

• Lead project controls activities for large, complex, or multi-dimensional programs, ensuring alignment with project objectives, contract requirements, and client standards.

• Serve as the primary project controls point of contact for assigned projects or programs, working closely with Project Managers, Construction Managers, and client representatives.

• Provide technical direction and mentorship to Project Controls Specialists and junior staff assigned to the project.

Cost Management & Forecasting

• Oversee project budgets, cost tracking, and forecasting in accordance with approved project controls procedures.

• Conduct detailed cost variance analysis, trend analysis, and estimate-at-completion (EAC) assessments.

• Identify, communicate, and help mitigate cost risks and budget impacts before they affect project outcomes.

• Support and review monthly financial reports, pay applications, and cost documentation for accuracy and completeness.

Schedule & Performance Management

• Develop, review, and maintain integrated project schedules using Primavera P6 or similar CPM scheduling tools.

• Perform schedule impact analyses and support time extension and delay evaluations as required.

• Monitor project performance against baseline schedule milestones and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Change Management & Risk

• Lead change management reviews, including analysis of scope, cost, and schedule impacts.

• Support claims avoidance through clear documentation, analysis, and proactive issue identification.

• Assist with risk identification, risk modeling, and mitigation planning in coordination with project and client teams.

Reporting & Client Coordination

• Prepare and present executive-level project controls reports, dashboards, and briefings for internal leadership and clients.

• Ensure compliance with client-specific reporting requirements, PMIS platforms, and governance protocols.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of project controls processes, templates, and best practices.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Controls, or a related discipline.

• 8-12+ years of progressive project controls experience, supporting large-scale infrastructure, transportation, or capital programs.

• Strong expertise in cost control, forecasting, schedule management, and change control.

• Proficiency with Primavera P6, Microsoft Excel (advanced), and project controls reporting tools.

• Experience working with PMIS platforms such as e-Builder, Kahua, Unifier, or similar systems.

• Ability to operate independently with minimal oversight while coordinating across multiple teams and stakeholders.

Preferred

• Experience supporting public-sector or transportation clients in the Mid-Atlantic region.

• AACE certifications (PSP, CCP) or equivalent professional credentials.

• Prior experience leading project controls efforts on multi-year or multi-project programs.

• Strong presentation skills and comfort engaging with senior client stakeholders.

Compensation Range:

STV offers the following benefits Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account Dental insurance Vision insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) Disability insurance Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment 401(k) Plan Retirement Counseling Employee Assistance Program Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) Paid Holidays (9 days) Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) Continuing Education Program Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV's good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV's work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don't always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.