Project Controller

TSC•Washington, DC

About The Position

FALCATA is seeking an experienced Project Controller to provide programmatic, financial, and schedule control for high-visibility Science & Technology initiatives. The position is embedded within a Department of Defense Service Laboratory and supports Government Program Managers, Lead Scientists, and Principal Investigators as a trusted advisor and operational resource. The Project Controller partners with program and division leadership to connect technical objectives with disciplined business processes. The role manages budget lifecycles, monitors Integrated Master Schedules, tracks contract milestone compliance, works with technical leads to develop program plans, and aligns execution metrics with Office of the Secretary of Defense obligation and expenditure benchmarks. Responsibilities include financial planning and budget execution across multi-year S&T activities; maintaining spend plans and financial records; supporting DoD financial close, reporting, and PPBE/POM activities; managing project schedules and controls; analyzing cost, schedule, and scope variances; supporting acquisition documentation; and preparing executive reports and visual aids. The role also facilitates program and business reviews and coordinates across military, civilian, academic, and contractor stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Project Management, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in accounting or controllership roles involving financial close and reporting, project controls, programmatic analysis, or defense financial management.
Active DoD Secret clearance eligibility; U.S. citizenship is required.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, lookup models, and data reconciliation, and commercial program management software suites.
Hands-on proficiency with Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar scheduling applications.
Experience navigating DoD financial databases or ERP systems, such as CCaR, GFEBS, CRIS, DAI, or Navy ERP.
Sound judgment, attention to financial accuracy, and ability to manage multiple priorities in deadline-driven environments.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience embedded in a large-scale project team and/or Federal Government experience.
Professional certification such as PMP, CAPM, CDFM, or EVP.
Active or recent DoD Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

Oversee budget formulation, allocation, and tracking across multi-year S&T budget activities, including 6.1 Basic Research, 6.2 Applied Research, and 6.3 Advanced Technology Development.
Establish, refine, and document accounting policies, internal controls, and standard procedures to promote compliance and consistency.
Develop and maintain spend plans and track commitments, obligations, and expenditures against OSD and Service-specific financial benchmarks.
Prepare, process, and track Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests (MIPRs), Purchase Requests (PRs), and Funding Authorization Documents (FADs).
Coordinate monthly and annual close activities with Division accounting staff, ensuring records are accurate, complete, and delivered on schedule.
Reconcile financial records using DoD accounting and financial management systems.
Assist Program Managers with inputs for the PPBE lifecycle and Program Objective Memorandum build cycles.
Identify critical paths, schedule dependencies, resource constraints, and program risks across concurrent laboratory and performer efforts.
Conduct schedule, cost, and scope variance analyses and propose remediation strategies.
Implement performance measurement techniques appropriate for early-to-mid TRL research projects.
Support preparation of SOWs, PWSs, and IGCEs for BAAs and OTAs.
Prepare executive visual aids, quad charts, program health dashboards, and Monthly Status Reports for laboratory leadership and program sponsors.
Facilitate recurring Program and Business Management Reviews and support Technical Interchange Meetings.
Coordinate across interdisciplinary teams, including military personnel, civil servants, academic researchers, and external contractors.