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Project controls engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

M. Stephen Enders Ph.D.,

Bijan Shapoorian

Project controls engineer example skills

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical project controls engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for project controls engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.2% of project controls engineer resumes contained project controls as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a project controls engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 project controls engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Project Controls

Project control is a vital part of the operations of a business or organization. It covers all plans, strategies, resources, and tools required for the control and management of a project's operation.

Here's how project controls engineers use project controls:

Priced project controls of construction work authorizations resulting in design/installation of Mechanical piping systems/pipe supports at Fortune 100 Utility Nuclear facilities.
Prepare monthly project review meetings and represent Project Controls Nuclear Cost Division on corporate level internally and externally.

2. Project Management

Here's how project controls engineers use project management:

Lead Specialist providing program/project management services and support during the development and execution phases of various global projects and programs.
Provided systems engineering and project management support for large-scale, global enterprise Active Directory migration and consolidation.

3. Construction Management

Here's how project controls engineers use construction management:

Reported EVMS analysis outcome to construction management along with any possible corrective actions.
Support construction management with critical path schedules.

4. Primavera P6

Here's how project controls engineers use primavera p6:

Developed schedules and provided earned value reporting for new product introduction efforts using Primavera P6.
Developed and maintained project schedule using Primavera P6.

5. Control Systems

Here's how project controls engineers use control systems:

Develop and implement schedule/ cost control systems to ensure project targets are met for various engineering/design/construction projects.
Worked with plant personnel to establish network connectivity to PLC/HMI control systems on existing development/production equipment.

6. Project Cost

Project cost is the overall cost for planning, developing, executing, managing, and completing a project. Project cost needs to be estimated and projected in the project planning phase. Cost management strategy includes estimating project requirements, scheduling, budget allocation, and project design.

Here's how project controls engineers use project cost:

Tracked and reconciled actual cost with estimated/budgeted cost and analyzed variations against project cost baselines to develop an EVM report.
Develop and carry out bi-weekly/monthly financial meeting with several project sites to facilitate accurate cost projections for project cost reporting.

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7. Cost Control

Cost control is a process in which actual costs are recorded and incorporated into a format that allows comparison with project budgets to regulate and control operating costs within an organization. The goal of cost control is to manage project delivery within the approved budget and reduce expenses to increase profits.

Here's how project controls engineers use cost control:

Performed analysis and prepared reports in order to ensure that contracts were within negotiated parameters and government cost control guidelines.
Prepared input for cost controls system for cost ledger, engineering budgets, cost reports, and field cost reports.

8. Construction Projects

A construction project is an organized process of constructing, redeveloping, renovating, or otherwise improving a building, or structure. The project phase begins usually as a broad criterion that is then made with the help of a brief, feasibility analysis, funding, and planning. The majority of construction projects are one-time jobs.

Here's how project controls engineers use construction projects:

Developed and maintained cost reporting processes and procedures for major expense and capital construction projects executed at client petrochemical facilities.
Developed cost estimating methodologies and software for asbestos abatement, environmental and construction projects.

9. Management System

A management system is a set of policies, processes, and procedures taken by an organization or a business to ensure it can fulfill its tasks and achieve its objectives. A management system makes sure that the company excels financially and improves the user experience. The management system also takes care of the worker's and employees' needs and manages their workload and oversees their performance. Apart from interior matters of the company, a management system also deals with exterior matters like legislations, tax matters, and law issues.

Here's how project controls engineers use management system:

Managed and coordinated the complete installation of building management systems, including engineering, programming and system commissioning.
Experienced in Earned Value Management Systems, utilizing analysis tools and taking corrective actions as required.

10. PLC

Here's how project controls engineers use plc:

Installed PLC automation on autonomous mining equipment, conveying and crushing equipment, coal preparation and processing equipment.
Program and debug PLC's, HMI's, and various safety devices during field install and support.

11. Project Scope

Here's how project controls engineers use project scope:

Developed an integrated schedule with collaboration from engineering, procurement, construction; commissioned and validated project scope.
Project Scope included the design of additional oil stabilization capacity, additional oil shipping pump capacity.

12. Corrective Action

Here's how project controls engineers use corrective action:

Assisted Project Manager in developing/reviewing cost and schedule corrective action and recovery plans, and making sure needed actions/plans are implemented.
Analyzed and developed schedules and cost estimates; compared actual performance with planned performance; identified corrective actions when necessary.

13. Work Breakdown Structure

Here's how project controls engineers use work breakdown structure:

Maintained work breakdown structures by calculating critical path and analyzing various methods to mitigate schedules.
Established work breakdown structure (WBS), determine the work activity duration and establishing the proper work flow logic ties.

14. Cpm

Here's how project controls engineers use cpm:

Prepared summary level CPM schedules and presented progress to owner company executive management on a monthly basis.
Created and maintained CPM schedules for engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning phases on various projects.

15. Scope Changes

Here's how project controls engineers use scope changes:

Implemented change management process and incorporated scope changes and trends into schedule and cost report.
Monitored job progress according to resource loaded schedule and identified scope changes.

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What skills help Project Controls Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on project controls engineer resumes?

M. Stephen Enders Ph.D.

Professor & Department Head, Colorado School of Mines

The most important thing that stands out in resumes is past job experiences, particularly student internships in relevant companies. This demonstrates a student's ability to work safely and effectively in the workplace. The companies that employ our students expect them to have a fundamental proficiency in the basic sciences and mathematics as well as in the principles of engineering. Although this is necessary, it is not sufficient for most companies. They prefer graduates with demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication, teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking skills. They also want to see evidence that graduates can integrate and analyze multidisciplinary datasets, and they would really like to see computer coding and modeling expertise. On top of all of these attributes, companies also want to hire leaders and those who have a fundamental understanding or societal issues that impact their industry. This is a lot to expect. Students can get some of this from coursework and active participation in student clubs and other organizations.

Additionally: Presentation skills - written and oral. Management skills - CSM mining engineers have 3 to 4 courses focusing on management (mine operations, safety, construction and project mgt.), plus opportunities to work as crew fore(wo)men at the Edgar mine, where they get to lead small teams of junior classmates and assume responsibility for safety and job completion.

What project controls engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Bijan Shapoorian

Adjunct Professor, The University of Texas at Arlington

Staying up to date with the new software and available technology remains as one of the major challenges in this industry. Most software offer online tutorials.

What type of skills will young project controls engineers need?

Chris P. Caddell

Board President, AACEI

I anticipate the basic technical skills will largely be the same as today. However, I expect graduates will need greater familiarity with configuring software. This skill will be moving from an IT-exclusive capability to a useful skill that new graduates will need. From a softer skills perspective, young graduates will need to be self-motivated, self-aware, and outspoken. As our world moves to more remote working, graduates will need to be self-motivated because there may be no one (physically) there to push them. They will need to be self-aware of when they are struggling and need help. And they will need to be outspoken about asking for help when they need it and making sure they make their voices heard.

What technical skills for a project controls engineer stand out to employers?

Martin Pietrucha Ph.D.

Program Coordinator and Professor, Pennsylvania State University

Given this trend, employers will be looking for the usual superior engineering knowledge and skill sets, but they will also be interested in those who can prove that they are excellent self-starters and time managers. Being able to demonstrate one's "flexibility" and an ability to think on one's feet will also be highly desirable.

What soft skills should all project controls engineers possess?

Brian Denton Ph.D.

Professor and Department Chair, University of Michigan

Communications, both written and verbal, are always important. So is leadership training, teamwork, and resilience. We expose our students to all of these topics, often referring to them as "essential skills" to make it clear how important they are.

Do you want to know more?

List of project controls engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a project controls engineer resume and required skills for a project controls engineer to have include:

Project Controls
Project Management
Construction Management
Primavera P6
Control Systems
Project Cost
Cost Control
Construction Projects
Management System
PLC
Project Scope
Corrective Action
Work Breakdown Structure
Cpm
Scope Changes
Capital Projects

Scheduling Software
Microsoft Project
Cost Estimates
Autocad
HMI
Schedule Development
Cost Analysis
Schedule Analysis
Earned Value Management
Technical Support
WBS
Baseline Schedule
Schedule Data
EPC
Change Order Management
Cash Flow

Construction Schedule
Schedule Performance
Master Schedule
Schedule Updates
Project Performance
HVAC
Cost Data
Project Budget
RFI
Variance Analysis
SCADA
Critical Path Analysis
Risk Analysis
DOE
Retrofit

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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