Principal Project Controls Specialist - Cost

Important Application Submission Information

In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Friday, March 13, 2026

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The Principal PCS is a critical lead position of the project controls team as well as a member of multiple project or program teams. This position supports Project Managers and Project Directors on projects and programs of varying size and complexity.  This position will be expected to lead / direct the set up and reviews of the project controls status (cost, contract, WBS, schedule, resource, etc.). 

Using prescribed methods and tools, the position is responsible for performing primary aspects of project control assignments. The position is considered a technical, SME, lead or support position and requires college level reasoning via formal education or work experience. It requires understanding and application of advanced project controls principles. This position must be proficient with various computer applications with analytics that relate to schedule, cost, and risk. This position requires highly proficient to expert use, understanding and application of project controls principles and associated project controls software tools.

The candidate will be responsible for:

• Establishing project cost baseline reports at a detailed level.

• Managing monthly project forecasts and risk assessments.  Project forecast includes actuals through financial systems plus balance to go including committed costs, open estimates, labor costs, etc.

• Providing analysis and forecasting of project cost performance.

• Assisting with forecasting project cost impacts.

• Project risk quantification, analysis, and management.

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

• Review and reporting of project status as provided by Duke Energy and its vendors.

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

• Updating project cost and risk information in Duke systems and tools

• Track and manage changes to the project scope and cost baseline

The applicant should have detailed knowledge and experience with:

• Knowledge of detailed project cost reporting that includes actuals, accruals, estimate to complete, estimate at completion, and understanding of various contract types (T&M, Unit Price, etc.).

• Various cost estimating techniques

• Multiple cost management and control practices

• Project Risk Management best practices

• Review and analysis of contractor and vendor performance

• Duke Financial and cost management systems

• Project Change Control processes

Required/Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Engineering, Project management or other related degree

• 6 plus years related work experience

• In lieu of Bachelor’s degree(s) AND 6 plus year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND 10 plus year(s) related work experience

 Desired Qualifications

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

• Certified Associate of Project Management

• Project Management Professional

• AACE-EVP, AACE-CEP, AACE-PSP, AACE-CCC, PMI-SP certification

• Proficiency/expertise with project management, project controls concepts, computer applications / analytics

• Strong collaborative team member

• Software such as MS Project/MS Office Suite, Business Objects, Maximo, Powerplan, EcoSys, Peoplesoft,and Sword/Riskconnect.

• High proficiency in MS Excel

Working Conditions

• Work location – Charlotte/Duke Energy Plaza

• Hybrid Mobility Classification – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable daily commute to the Duke Energy Plaza.

• This role is expected to conduct regular site visits across the company’s Carolinas service territory.

Specific Requirements

• Valid driver’s license

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Travel Requirements

25-50%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

No

Represented/Union Position

No

Visa Sponsored Position

No

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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