Project Controls Engineers & Managers

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Opportunities: Engineer, Senior Engineer, Manager, Senior Manager
Compensation: $91,000–$193,000, depending on position and qualifications

Position Overview

J.Riley Recruitment is seeking Project Controls professionals at multiple career levels for an established, employee-owned electrical construction organization in Phoenix, Arizona. These opportunities span engineering, senior engineering, management, and senior management, supporting complex construction programs through disciplined project planning, cost and schedule visibility, performance reporting, and operational consistency.

Successful candidates will bring experience in construction project controls, project engineering, or construction operations, with responsibilities aligned to their background and leadership capabilities. Individual contributors will concentrate on project setup, work breakdown structures, documentation, and reporting, while management professionals will oversee implementation, develop teams, and strengthen project controls practices across multiple projects.

Why Join Our Client?

Our client offers the opportunity to work with an established electrical construction organization delivering technically demanding projects. Its project controls function works closely with construction operations, engineering, preconstruction, and regional leadership, giving employees meaningful exposure to how complex projects are planned, managed, and executed.

The organization provides an employee stock ownership program (ESOP), performance-based bonus opportunities, medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement benefits, and paid time off. Relocation assistance is available for these opportunities. With openings across four levels, candidates can pursue positions that align with their experience while building expertise in a growing project controls function.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities vary by position and seniority and may include:

• Develop, review, and maintain work breakdown structures, project controls documentation, and planning processes that support accurate project setup and execution.
• Evaluate project information, reporting inputs, and baseline documentation to identify inconsistencies, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support project startup activities, including scope clarification, planning coordination, and the implementation of standardized controls procedures.
• Collaborate with project managers, construction operations, engineering teams, and other stakeholders to improve project visibility and execution readiness.
• Prepare, validate, and communicate project performance information, including progress reporting, cost-related data, and operational findings.
• Improve reporting workflows, planning templates, audit procedures, and project controls systems to promote consistency across projects.
• For management-level positions, guide implementation efforts, mentor project controls personnel, resolve operational challenges, and lead cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• For senior leadership positions, influence regional and enterprise-level controls strategies, develop organizational capabilities, and advise leadership on complex project execution challenges.

Requirements

Candidates will be evaluated against the requirements of the specific position under consideration.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Relevant professional experience in construction project controls, project engineering, or construction operations.
• Working knowledge of project planning, work breakdown structures, project documentation, and project controls processes.
• Ability to analyze project information, recognize discrepancies, and communicate findings to technical and operational stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating with project teams and maintaining accurate, organized project records.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet applications and project management or project controls technology appropriate to the position.
• For management-level opportunities, demonstrated supervisory experience, team development capabilities, and the ability to implement controls practices across complex construction projects.
• For senior management opportunities, substantial experience leading project controls initiatives and influencing multiple project teams or organizational functions.

Experience expectations by level:

• Project Controls Engineer: Approximately 2–5 years of relevant experience.
• Senior Project Controls Engineer: Advanced project controls experience with increased independence and technical responsibility.
• Project Controls Manager: Approximately 10+ years of relevant experience, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Senior Manager, Project Controls: Extensive leadership experience overseeing complex project controls operations and broader organizational initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large-scale commercial, industrial, electrical, or technically complex construction projects.
• Background working for an electrical contractor, general contractor, or construction management organization.
• Familiarity with platforms such as Primavera P6, Oracle, Power BI, Smartsheet, Procore, or similar project controls systems.
• Experience with project cost tracking, forecasting, schedule coordination, performance reporting, or construction audits.
• Demonstrated involvement in process improvement, reporting standardization, or the implementation of new project controls technology.
• Experience partnering with regional leadership, field operations, preconstruction, and multidisciplinary project teams.

About J.Riley Recruitment

J.Riley Recruitment is THE Veteran-Owned Business connecting Military Veterans and Top Professionals with the Best Companies. Since our founding in 2020, J.Riley Recruitment has leveraged over a decade of Talent Acquisition expertise to deliver exceptional results. Our network extends coast to coast, empowering organizations nationwide to overcome challenges and achieve success.

Built on a foundation of integrity, discipline, and precision, we bring the same operational excellence and adaptability to recruitment that defines top-tier organizations. By understanding our clients' unique challenges and aligning with their goals, we deliver high-performing talent that drives long-term success.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.