Project Controls Engineer - Scheduling & Cost Management

Project Controls Engineer (Level I or II) – Scheduling & Cost Management

Location: East Lansing, MI

Salary: $75,000–$115,000 annually, depending on experience and position level

Multiple Experience Levels Available

About the Opportunity

We are seeking Project Controls Engineers at both Level I and Level II to support complex engineering and scientific projects at Michigan State University's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB).

These positions will support the Experimental Systems Division, focusing on project scheduling, cost management, Earned Value Management (EVM), and project performance reporting.

The ideal candidates will have experience with Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project, strong analytical and cost control skills, and the ability to collaborate with engineering and project management teams.

We are considering professionals with 3+ years of relevant experience, with responsibilities and compensation aligned to their experience level.

Key Responsibilities

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• Develop, maintain, and update detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
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• Monitor project budgets, expenditures, forecasts, and cost performance against established baselines.
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• Support Earned Value Management (EVM) activities, including cost and schedule performance analysis.
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• Perform critical path analysis, identify schedule variances, and recommend corrective actions.
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• Track project milestones, deliverables, and overall progress across complex technical projects.
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• Prepare monthly project performance reports, including cost analysis, schedule updates, and earned value metrics.
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• Analyze project risks and provide recommendations to improve scheduling, cost efficiency, and project execution.
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• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, Control Account Managers, and technical stakeholders.
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• Develop customized reports and analyze project data using Microsoft Excel and project controls software.
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• Support improvements to project controls procedures, reporting processes, and scheduling methodologies.
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• For more experienced professionals, provide technical guidance to project teams and present performance findings to project leadership.
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Required Qualifications

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• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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• 3+ years of experience in project controls, project scheduling, cost engineering, or related functions.
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• 3+ years of hands-on experience with Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project, including developing, maintaining, and reporting project schedules.
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• Knowledge of project cost controls, scheduling methodologies, and Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.
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• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis and reporting.
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• Experience evaluating project schedules, identifying variances, and tracking project performance.
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• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
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• Ability to collaborate with engineering teams and manage multiple project priorities.
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Level II – Additional Qualifications

Candidates considered for the more senior position should also possess:

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• 5–8 years of relevant project controls or scheduling experience.
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• 5+ years of experience using Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
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• Demonstrated experience with Earned Value Management (EVM), cost performance analysis, and project reporting.
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• Experience with Deltek Cobra Earned Value Management Software.
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• Strong knowledge of critical path analysis, cost forecasting, schedule variance analysis, and baseline management.
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• Ability to independently analyze complex project data and provide recommendations to leadership.
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• Experience providing technical guidance to project teams and presenting project performance findings.
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Preferred Qualifications

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• Experience supporting Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DoD), National Science Foundation (NSF), or other federally funded technical projects.
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• Familiarity with PMBOK and formal project management methodologies.
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• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
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• Experience with Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management.
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• Experience developing customized project controls reports, processes, or performance management tools.
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• Experience supporting large-scale engineering, research, scientific, or other technically complex projects.
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Compensation

Project Controls Engineer I: $75,000–$90,000 annually

Project Controls Engineer II: $85,000–$115,000 annually

Position level and compensation will be determined based on qualifications, relevant experience, and technical expertise.