Principal Project Controls

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Country: United States

Category: Project Controls

Workplace Location: Onsite

Employment Type: Contract

Posted Date: April 22, 2026

Job ID: 646782

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Project Controls
Location: Charlotte, NC 28202

Contract length: 24-month Contract 
Pay: $72/hr - $77.42/hr

Principal Project Controls Qualifications
Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Engineering, Project management or other related degree
  • 7 years direct project estimating experience
  • In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND 7 years related work experience listed above
  • High School/GED AND 10 plus years related work experience
  • Ability to work independently or in groups, think creatively and analytically, and make quick and sound decisions
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred
  • Master's degree in Business Administration
  • In addition to desired degree, 20 years related work experience
  • Project Management Professional
  • Software such as MS Project/MS Office Suite, Primavera, Business Objects, Passport, Powerplant, Emax, Peoplesoft
  • Risk management tools / Monte Carlo analysis
  • Expertise with project management / project controls concepts / computer applications / analytics
  • Heavy Civil/Earth work estimating experience, landfill constructions, close-out estimating experience, and wells installation experience
Principal Project Controls Description 
  • Experience with material take-off and or assessments
  • Travel to site to assess tie-in, existing infrastructure, specific site conditions etc. into estimates
  • Lead the preparation of comprehensive cost estimates for projects at all stages, from concept through execution
  • Break down projects into work packages and assign costs to labor, materials, equipment, and indirect expenses
  • Coordinate with engineering, construction, procurement, and other departments to obtain necessary data for accurate estimates
  • Utilize industry-standard methodologies, tools, and databases to ensure precision and consistency in cost forecasts
  • Review historical data and apply benchmarking to validate estimate assumptions and outputs
  • Account for contingencies, escalation, and potential risks within the estimate structure
  • Present estimate methodologies, results, and recommendations to project management and leadership
  • Facilitate estimate reviews and challenge sessions with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure robust cost estimate and basis
  • Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and transparent reports and presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Act as the primary point of contact for estimation
  • Assess, validate, and challenge cost estimates submitted by contractors, consultants, and suppliers.
  • Benchmark third-party estimates against internal data and market trends
  • Engage in value engineering exercises to optimize project scope and reduce unnecessary costs
  • Ensure all contractual obligations related to cost estimation and reporting are met by external parties
  • Champion the adoption and continuous improvement of cost estimation tools, databases, and best practices
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry standards, technological advancements, and emerging trends in project controls and cost estimation
  • Support for Procurement and Contracting Processes
  • Provide cost input for procurement strategies, contract negotiations, and bid evaluations
  • Prepare cost assessments and pricing structures for bid evaluation
  • Assist in negotiations with vendors and subcontractors regarding pricing and scope changes
  • Assess the cost impact of project changes, claims, and variations
  • Prepare and evaluate cost estimates for proposed modifications and assess their impact on overall project budget and schedule
  • Provide data to Site Lead
  • Support dispute resolution and claims analysis with detailed cost data and rationale
  • Ensure all estimating outputs comply with procedural requirements
  • Participate in internal and external audits of cost estimates and processes
  • Identify and implement corrective actions in response to audit findings or process deficiencies
  • Lead post-project reviews and lessons learned sessions to capture estimation successes and areas for improvement.
  • Update cost databases, benchmarks, and tools based on project outcomes and industry developments
  • Provide strategic advice and guidance to senior management on project cost and control matters
  • Contribute to resource planning, recruitment, and team leadership as required

EEO Statement

The staffing industry has seen an increase in people falsely representing themselves as recruiters to gather personal information from job seekers. For your safety, do not provide sensitive data to anyone you have not spoken with thoroughly, never provide banking information during the application process, and always double check the email address of the Recruiter to ensure it’s from an official Planet domain (@theplanetgroup.com or @launchcg.com) - and not a domain with an alternative extension like .net, .org, or .jobs.

The Planet Group and our companies are equal opportunity employers. It is our practice not to discriminate against any employee or applicant based on any criteria, condition or basis protected by laws or regulations in the locations where we do business. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion enable us to better meet our mission and values while serving our clients across the globe. If you have a disability or handicap and would like us to accommodate you in any reasonable way, please inform your recruiter, or contact us, so that we can discuss the appropriate alternatives available.

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About The Planet Group

The Planet Group is a global professional services firm delivering strategic staffing and advisory solutions. We operate at the intersection of talent and transformation – connecting the right people with the right opportunities in the areas of technology, engineering, accounting & finance, digital marketing, and manufacturing.

As one of the largest staffing companies in the US, we operate with a global reach and a performance-first mindset. We partner with clients to move fast, stay agile, and drive measurable results – building high-impact teams that fuel transformation and growth.

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