Senior Associate

About Exponent

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients’ most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges.  

 

We are committed to engaging multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower our clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability.  

 

Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you’ll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team!   

 

Key statistics: 

• 950+ Consultants 
• 640+ Ph.D.s 
• 90+ Disciplines 
• 30+ Offices globally 

 

Our Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Senior Associate specializing in Project Controls for our Construction Consulting Practice in Oakland, CA. In this role, you will perform cost and schedule control, project performance monitoring, data analysis, and risk management across utility construction projects. You will also prepare and manage project forecasts, variance analysis, and reporting, providing project performance status and strategic insight to project teams, stakeholders, and leadership.

You will be responsible for

• Leading and performing advanced project controls for utility construction projects and programs, including management of project scope, cost, schedule, contracts, and risk management
• Collaborating with Project Managers and multidisciplinary teams to plan, manage and monitor, control project cost and schedule performance using tools such as Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Power BI, and other Microsoft Office applications
• Developing, maintaining, and assuring quality of project schedules, schedule and cost forecasts, and schedule and cost reports
• Performing variance and trend analyses to ensure alignment with baseline plans, project schedule and budget compliance, and project objectives
• Evaluating project status through progress monitoring and reporting, managing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying risks and issues early, and providing recommendations for corrective or preventive actions
• Performing robust documentation and document management; preparing, maintaining, and distributing project documentation, including schedule baselines, progress metrics, change logs, RFIs, progress reports, risk registers, action items trackers, issue logs, RACI charts, communication plans, and meeting minutes
• Conducting data management and analytics to provide insights to support decision‑making, risk analysis, and continuous improvements
• Participating in project meetings, working with project team members and stakeholders, and conducting project site visits to have direct and comprehensive knowledge of projects
• Contributing to a proactive, collaborative project team culture by promoting effective communication, accountability, and schedule management best practices

You will have the following skills and qualifications

• B.S. in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline (advanced degrees, registration, or certifications preferred but not required)
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in the construction industry, project management, or construction consulting, with at least 2 years focused on scheduling, cost control, forecasting, and project performance analysis
• Demonstrated knowledge and implementation of best practices in project controls
• Demonstrated expertise in project control processes, including baseline management, budget and cost management and control, progress tracking and reporting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Strong technical skills in schedule development, maintenance, management, analysis, and quality assurance. Experience in scheduling software such as Primavera P6 or MS Project and supporting tools such as Power BI
• Project controls experience on utility projects are preferred, but not required as long as transferrable skills are demonstrated
• Excellent analytical and critical‑thinking skills with commitm