Project Controller

About the role

FALCATA is seeking an experienced and proactive Project Controller to provide high-impact programmatic, financial, and schedule control for high-visibility Science & Technology (S&T) initiatives. In this role, you will be embedded directly within a premier DoD Service Laboratory, acting as a trusted advisor and operational backbone for Government Program Managers (PMs), Lead Scientists, and Principal Investigators (PIs).

The ideal candidate will partner with program and division leadership to bridge technical objectives with disciplined business processes-managing budget lifecycles, monitoring Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), ensuring contract milestone compliance, work with technical leads to develop sound program plans, and aligning execution metrics with OSD obligation and expenditure benchmarks.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Planning & Budget Execution
• Oversee cradle-to-grave budget formulation, allocation, and tracking across multi-year S&T budget activities (e.g., 6.1 Basic Research, 6.2 Applied Research, 6.3 Advanced Technology Development).
• Establish, refine, and document accounting policies, internal controls, and standard procedures to promote compliance and consistency
• Develop and maintain detailed spend plans, track commitments, obligations, and expenditures against established Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Service-specific financial benchmarks.
• Prepare, process, and track Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests (MIPRs), Purchase Requests (PRs), and Funding Authorization Documents (FADs).
• Coordinate with Division accounting staff on monthly and annual close activities, ensuring financial records are accurate, complete, and delivered on schedule.
• Reconcile financial records using DoD accounting and financial management systems (e.g., CCaR, GFEBS, DAI, or DEAMS).
• Assist PMs in preparing inputs for the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) lifecycle and Program Objective Memorandum (POM) build cycles.
• Schedule Management & Project Controls
• Identify critical paths, schedule dependencies, resource constraints, and program risks across concurrent laboratory and performer efforts.
• Conduct regular variance analyses (schedule, cost, and scope) to detect deviations early and propose actionable remediation strategies.
• Implement tailored performance measurement techniques appropriate for early-to-mid TRL (Technology Readiness Level) research projects.
• Support preparation of statements of work (SOW), performance work statements (PWS), and independent government cost estimates (IGCE) for Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) and Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs).
• Stakeholder Coordination & Executive Reporting
• Prepare high-impact executive visual aids, quad charts, program health dashboards, and Monthly Status Reports (MSRs) for laboratory leadership and program sponsors.
• Facilitate recurring Program and Business Management Reviews (PMRs) and support Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs).
• Coordinate seamlessly across interdisciplinary teams, including military personnel, civil servants, academic researchers, and external contractors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Project Management, or a related field

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in accounting or controllership roles with responsibility for financial close and reporting, project controls, programmatic analysis, or defense financial management.
• Security Clearance: Active DoD Secret clearance eligibility required (U.S. citizenship also required).

Proficiencies

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (complex formulas, pivot tables, lookup models, 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 (e.g., CCaR, GFEBS, CRIS, DAI, Navy ERP).
• Must be passionate about financial accuracy, possess sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities within deadline-driven environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience embedded into a large-scale project team and/or Federal Government experience.
• Professional certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), or EVP (Earned Value Professional).
• Active or recent DoD Secret

FALCATA Benefits

FALCATA offers a stable work environment, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefit package; including 401k Plan, Flexible Work Schedules, Tuition Reimbursement, Co-Sponsored Health Plan, Paid Leave and much more.

Applying to FALCATA

Only those candidates invited for an interview will be contacted. Employment at FALCATA is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check, security investigation, and a drug screening.