What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Controller position at Universal Balancing (now part of Burke Porter, an Ascential Technologies Company)?
Job Details
Description
Ascential Technologies is a global leader in automated diagnostic, testing, and production solutions serving life sciences and specialty industrial markets. With operations across 14 countries and 4 continents, Ascential brings together deep technical expertise across microfluidics, optics, additive manufacturing, motion control, and software to help customers achieve the impossible.
The Test & Measurement (T&M) Systems division is a strategic growth engine within Ascential, serving OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, testing laboratories, and aftermarket customers across Aerospace, Industrials, Automotive, and adjacent markets.
Role Summary
The Project Controller partners with the Group Controller and Project Management teams to drive financial discipline, transparency, and accountability across projects. This role focuses on forecasting rigor, performance analysis, and cost accounting. Actively challenging assumptions, pressure‑testing forecasts, and ensuring project financial performance is clearly understood and managed.
This is a hands‑on, analytical role requiring strong business judgment and the confidence to push back constructively.
Key Responsibilities
Project Financial Management
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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Description
Ascential Technologies is a global leader in automated diagnostic, testing, and production solutions serving life sciences and specialty industrial markets. With operations across 14 countries and 4 continents, Ascential brings together deep technical expertise across microfluidics, optics, additive manufacturing, motion control, and software to help customers achieve the impossible.
The Test & Measurement (T&M) Systems division is a strategic growth engine within Ascential, serving OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, testing laboratories, and aftermarket customers across Aerospace, Industrials, Automotive, and adjacent markets.
Role Summary
The Project Controller partners with the Group Controller and Project Management teams to drive financial discipline, transparency, and accountability across projects. This role focuses on forecasting rigor, performance analysis, and cost accounting. Actively challenging assumptions, pressure‑testing forecasts, and ensuring project financial performance is clearly understood and managed.
This is a hands‑on, analytical role requiring strong business judgment and the confidence to push back constructively.
Key Responsibilities
Project Financial Management
- Partner with Project Managers to monitor project performance, including actuals vs. budget and forecast
- Actively challenge and validate project forecasts through pressure testing and scenario analysis
- Identify early warning signs of cost overruns, margin erosion, or schedule risk
- Develop, standardize, and maintain forecasting and reporting templates in collaboration with the PM team
- Improve consistency and discipline in project financial reporting
- Support monthly project reviews with clear, data‑driven insights
- Manage and analyze cost accounting related to labor rates, overhead, and absorption
- Monitor labor efficiency, utilization, and absorption trends
- Support continuous improvement of cost models and rate structures
- Serve as a financial sounding board for Project Managers—constructively pushing back where assumptions do not align with data
- Work closely with the Group Controller to ensure project results properly flow into financial reporting
- Support audits and reviews related to project accounting and revenue recognition (as applicable)
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 5–8 years of experience in project controlling, cost accounting, or operational finance
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to challenge assumptions and explain financial impacts clearly
- Experience working directly with project or operations teams
- ERP and advanced Excel skills required
- Prior ownership of a project accounting role, including direct responsibility for project financial results
- Experience with Percentage of Completion (POC) or other long‑term project revenue recognition methodologies
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Experience
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Licenses & Certifications
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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.