Project Controls Specialist

How to use this kit

Ground every answer in facts on this page and the original listing. We never invent Glassdoor-style reviews or salaries that are not in our data.

Interview prep

Be ready to walk through how you set baselines, explain cost or schedule variance, and escalate risks early. Tie examples to multi-stakeholder engineering or construction work and ask how CDM Smith structures controls on water and infrastructure jobs.

Fit summary

Strong fit if you like structured tracking on engineering projects and can communicate clearly with technical and client teams. On-site expectation in Sharpsburg, Maryland; remote is not indicated.

Day in the role

As a Project Controls Specialist at CDM Smith, you would track cost, schedule, and risk on engineering and construction work in water, environment, transportation, or facilities. Expect status updates, variance analysis, and coordination with project managers so plans stay aligned with client and program goals.

Skills to emphasize

Build fluency in schedule and cost control, earned-value concepts, risk registers, and clear status reporting. Practice tools common to engineering project delivery and learn how water and infrastructure programs are scoped and measured.

FAQ from this listing

Is this role remote?

No. The listing marks remote as 0, so expect work tied to the Sharpsburg, Maryland location.

What does CDM Smith focus on?

Per company background, core work spans water, environment, transportation, energy, and facilities for public and private clients.

What background helps most?

Experience with project cost/schedule controls, status reporting, and coordination on engineering or construction programs is the closest match to the title.

Occupation tasks (O*NET)

Public-domain labor data — prepare examples for 2–3 of these.

• Develop emergency management plans for recovery decision making and communications, continuity of critical departmental processes, or temporary shut-down of non-critical departments to ensure continuity of operation and governance.
• Develop disaster recovery plans for physical locations with critical assets, such as data centers.
• Test documented disaster recovery strategies and plans.
• Analyze impact on, and risk to, essential business functions or information systems to identify acceptable recovery time periods and resource requirements.
• Write reports to summarize testing activities, including descriptions of goals, planning, scheduling, execution, results, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Review existing disaster recovery, crisis management, or business continuity plans.
• Create scenarios to reestablish operations from various types of business disruptions.
• Establish, maintain, or test call trees to ensure appropriate communication during disaster.

O*NET source

Company facts (cached)

Website: cdmsmith.com

CDM Smith Inc. is an American engineering and construction company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. CDM Smith offers services in water, environment, transportation, energy and facilities projects for public and private clients. Major services include design, consulting and program management with a focus on emerging areas such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), complete corridors, lead in drinking water, digital solutions, and water reuse and desalination. The employee-owned company is currently ranked 22nd on Engineering News-Record's 2025 Top 500 Design Firms li…

Public cache only — not an employee review.

Role overview (listing rewrite)

Project Controls Specialist - Construction | CDM Smith | Sharpsburg, Wilson County Role Overview The Project Controls Specialist at CDM Smith in Sharpsburg, Wilson County will play a crucial role in managing project schedules and budgets. This full-time position requires a proactive approach to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. What You'll Do Develop and maintain detailed project schedules and cost plans. Analyze project performance and provide regular reporting to stakeholders. Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on project goals and timelines. Skills & Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field required. Minimum of 5 years of experience in project controls within the construction industry. Familiarity with project management software such as Primavera P6 and MS Project. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Why Join CDM Smith At CDM Smith, you'll be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and personal growth. Our commitment to employee well-being and professional development sets us apart in the industry. You'll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that make a difference in communities around the world. Applying for This Role Join our team today! CDM Smith offers an unparalleled employee experience, where you can shape your career journey and contribute to impactful projects. To apply, complete your application directly on this page, or you'll be redirected to the employer's application platform to finish submitting there.

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Questions to ask them

• What does success look like in the first 90 days for this role?
• How is the team structured, and who would I work with most?
• What tools and systems does this role use daily?
• Is the work primarily based in Sharpsburg, Wilson County, hybrid, or fully remote?