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 role is embedded within a DoD Service Laboratory and serves as an advisor and operational resource to Government Program Managers, Lead Scientists, and Principal Investigators. The Project Controller partners with program and division leadership to connect technical objectives with disciplined business processes, including budget lifecycle management, Integrated Master Schedule monitoring, contract milestone compliance, program planning, and alignment of execution metrics with OSD obligation and expenditure benchmarks. The position oversees multi-year S&T budget activities, develops and tracks spend plans, supports financial close and reporting, and reconciles records using DoD accounting and financial management systems. It also manages schedule and project controls, analyzes cost, schedule, and scope variances, supports acquisition-related documentation, and prepares executive reporting. The role coordinates with military personnel, civil servants, academic researchers, and external contractors. Candidates must have a relevant bachelor's degree, at least 10 years of progressive accounting, controllership, project controls, programmatic analysis, or defense financial management experience, and active DoD Secret clearance eligibility. U.S. citizenship is required. FALCATA offers a stable work environment, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package.

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.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, lookup models, and data reconciliation.
Proficiency with 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.
Strong commitment to financial accuracy, sound judgment, and the 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 (Earned Value Professional).
Active or recent DoD Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

Oversee cradle-to-grave budget formulation, allocation, and tracking across multi-year S&T budget activities.
Establish, refine, and document accounting policies, internal controls, and standard procedures.
Develop and maintain spend plans and track commitments, obligations, and expenditures against OSD and Service-specific benchmarks.
Prepare, process, and track Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests (MIPRs), Purchase Requests (PRs), and Funding Authorization Documents (FADs).
Coordinate monthly and annual financial close activities with Division accounting staff and ensure financial records are accurate, complete, and delivered on schedule.
Reconcile financial records using DoD accounting and financial management systems.
Assist Program Managers with Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) lifecycle inputs and Program Objective Memorandum (POM) 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 Technology Readiness Level research projects.
Support preparation of statements of work (SOWs), performance work statements (PWSs), and independent government cost estimates (IGCEs) for Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) and Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs).
Prepare executive visual aids, quad charts, program health dashboards, and Monthly Status Reports (MSRs).
Facilitate Program and Business Management Reviews (PMRs) and support Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs).
Coordinate across military personnel, civil servants, academic researchers, and external contractors.