Project Controls Specialist

Project Controls Specialist (Hybrid)

Long Beach & Los Angeles, CA

 

What We’re Looking For:

Michael Baker International is seeking a Project Controls Specialist to support project delivery across our Long Beach and Los Angeles offices. This role partners closely with Project Managers to ensure projects are executed efficiently, on time, and within budget.

This is a hybrid position, requiring regular onsite presence (2–3 days per week) in either the Long Beach or Los Angeles office, with an expectation to reliably commute to Long Beach for training and collaboration.

The ideal candidate is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced consulting environment. You bring a proactive mindset, strong financial acumen, and the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights that support project success.

This is a part-time role (30–40 hours/week) with the potential to transition to full-time after a 3-month training period based on performance and business needs.

 

What You’ll Do:

• Support Project Managers with project financial setup, maintenance, and closeout
• Assist in implementing financial strategies for program-level contracts
• Review and prepare financial components of proposals, including bill rates and fee estimates, ensuring alignment with KPIs and accuracy of calculations.
• Participate in internal and client-facing project review and budget meetings
• Identify change conditions and support development of change orders and cost estimates
• Establish and maintain project cost controls, tracking budgets, actuals, accruals, and commitments
• Evaluate project performance and flag risks, variances, or trends
• Develop and maintain custom tracking tools, dashboards, and reports
• Perform budget vs. actual analysis and cost reconciliation
• Utilize advanced Excel tools (pivot tables, formulas, dashboards) for data analysis
• Extract and analyze data from systems (e.g., Oracle) to support reporting needs
• Analyze large datasets and produce clear, actionable financial insights
• Coordinate with Project Managers and billing teams to prepare and process invoices
• Track accounts receivable and support timely client payments
• Review subconsultant invoices and coordinate payment processing
• Provide a high level of internal customer service, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and proactive communication
• Support additional project needs to ensure successful delivery and client satisfaction

 

 

What You Need to Succeed:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of experience in engineering or consulting environments
• Experience supporting project controls functions (cost management, budgeting, financial tracking)
• Strong knowledge of cost tracking, forecasting, and variance analysis (EAC/ETC)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas, data analysis)
• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams (PMs, accounting, billing, clients)
• Proven ability to build strong working relationships with Project Managers
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Customer-service mindset, treating Project Managers as key internal clients

Preferred:

• Experience in a Planning practice
• Experience with Oracle E-Business Suite or similar financial systems

Work Requirements:

• Hybrid schedule with 2–3 days onsite per week
• Ability to reliably commute to Long Beach, CA for training and collaboration

Compensation

The approximate compensation range for this position is $43.18–$55.00/hour. This compensation range is a good faith estimate at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary based on factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and geographic location.

Why Choose Us

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

 

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.