Principal Project Controls Specialist - Battery, Solar and Hydro Portfolio

Important Application Submission Information

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us - help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

The Principal Project Controls Specialist is a critical lead position responsible for cost management and project controls integration on major power generation construction projects. This position supports Project Managers and Project Directors on projects of varying size and complexity, leading the setup, maintenance, and analysis of project controls status including cost, contracts, WBS, schedule, and resources.

This role requires expert-level proficiency with project controls software tools and advanced analytical capabilities. The position demands deep understanding of cost forecasting, earned value management, and integration of cost-schedule data on complex engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects. Candidates shall be able to identify problems and solutions for the organizations they support. They will lead and coach other Cost Analysts and are critical to the professional development of Project Controls Specialists who rank lower on the Project Controls hierarchy.

This is a hybrid position supporting our Battery, Solar, and Hydro construction project portfolio. Power plant construction experience (Combined Cycle, Simple Cycle, Hydro Solar, or Battery) and the ability to travel to field sites is required.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management & Forecasting:

• Review and analysis of cost estimates, including estimate basis and qualifications.

• Establish and maintain project cost baselines, budgets, and forecasts with high certainty on large-scale construction projects

• Lead earned value management (EVM) analysis, variance reporting, and trend analysis

• Integrate cost data with site activities and vendor deliverables to ensure accurate financial tracking

• Manage project contingency and risk reserves, including project risk quantification, analysis, and management

• Develop cost estimates and manage monthly accruals

• Maintain cost systems and generate monthly cost reports and project documentation

Project Controls Integration:

• Understand phased project funding and manage roll-up of estimates into cost reports

• Provide cost-schedule integration analysis to support critical path decisions

• Work with schedulers to update integrated schedules and perform impact analysis

• Review and assess change orders for cost and schedule impacts

• Coordinate with vendors to gather and verify cost and schedule updates through submittals, field walkdowns, and direct communication

• Monitor compliance with department requirements and Enterprise Policy and Standards.

Reporting & Communication:

• Generate monthly reports and site-specific documentation for PM/PD teams

• Lead project controls reviews and status presentations

• Support project funding submittals with detailed cost and schedule analysis

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Lead and coordinate the site project controls team

• Serve as technical subject matter expert and mentor to project controls team members

• Lead implementation of project controls methodologies and best practices

• Supervise junior project controls staff, as assigned

• Support multiple projects simultaneously, as required

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Finance, or Business Administration, closely related AND 6 plus years of related work experience, OR High School diploma/equivalent AND 10 plus years of related work experience

Key skills and experience

• Demonstrated lead-level experience with complex EPC projects in power generation (Combined Cycle, Simple Cycle, Solar, or Battery construction)

• Expert proficiency in cost forecasting and project controls methodologies on large-scale construction projects

• High proficiency in MS Excel and cost management systems

• Familiarity with Maximo and Primavera P6

Willingness to travel to field sites, as required

Valid driver's license

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Finance, or Business Administration, closely related AND 10 plus years of related work experience,

• ECOSYS administration, configuration, and management experience

• Experience creating training packages and training teams on ECOSYS

• Web BI and Power BI data migration experience

• Familiarity with LoadSpring application

• Detailed knowledge and experience with various estimating techniques, for both cost and schedule

• Master's degree in Project Management, Finance, or Business Administration

• Professional certifications: AACE-CCC (Certified Cost Consultant), AACE-EVP (Earned Value Professional), or PMP (Project Management Professional)

• Additional certifications: AACE-CEP, AACE-PSP, PMI-SP, or CAPM

• Proficiency with MS Project, ECOSYS, Primavera P6, Acumen Fuse, Business Objects, Prolog, Passport, Visio, Powerplant, PeopleSoft, RiskConnect/Sword ARM

• Strong collaborative team member with proven ability to work across functional groups

Work Location

Hybrid-based position with travel to numerous field sites across the Duke Energy service territory.

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