Project Controller

Website AtkinsRéalis

Job Overview: Project Controller

AtkinsRéalis, a world-leading engineering and project management organization, is seeking a Project Controller to join their team in Bristol. This role serves as a vital “Assistant Project Manager” function, acting as the central link between Project Management, Commercial, Financial, and Contract Management teams. You will be responsible for ensuring that major infrastructure projects and local authority frameworks operate cohesively, meeting strict financial and reporting timetables. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented professional with strong numeracy skills looking to grow within a premier global consultancy.

Job Summary

  • Employer: AtkinsRéalis

  • Location: Bristol City, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

  • Role Type: Full-time, Permanent

  • Sector: Project Controls / Transportation & Infrastructure

  • Salary Estimate: Circa £30,000 – £42,000 (Based on UK market rates for mid-level Project Support/Controls roles).

  • Clearance: May require UK Security Clearance (SC); typically requires 5+ years of UK residency.


Key Responsibilities

  • Financial Oversight: Track project costs, produce finance reports, and ensure accurate, timely invoicing is carried out across the portfolio.

  • Process Execution: Execute and improve project management processes, ensuring compliance with Stage Gates and internal commercial standards.

  • Coordination: Act as the “connective tissue” between various departments, prompting Project Directors for timely inputs into management reporting.

  • Data Management: Maintain complex databases and spreadsheets to monitor project health and performance metrics.

  • Reporting: Prepare professional-standard document templates and management reports for monthly reviews and stakeholder meetings.

  • Compliance: Ensure all project activities align with AtkinsRéalis’ financial and commercial pipeline management processes (training provided).


Requirements & Qualifications

  • Core Skills: Excellent numeracy and communication skills, with a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

  • Principles: A solid understanding of Project Control and Project Management principles (e.g., APM or similar frameworks).

  • Attributes: Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks under pressure, and show initiative in researching data for problem-solving.

  • Experience (Desirable): Previous experience in a project support role within transportation (e.g., working with Highways England or Local Authorities).

  • Software (Desirable): Knowledge of scheduling tools like Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project is an advantage but not essential.


Reward & Benefits

  • Structured Training: Access to a portfolio of training designed to expand your career into full Project Management or specialized Project Controls.

  • Flexibility: A hybrid working culture that balances office presence with remote efficiency.

  • Tailored Benefits: Competitive salary and a range of benefits customizable to your health, wellbeing, and financial goals.

  • Impact: The opportunity to contribute to massive infrastructure projects that improve connectivity and sustainability in the UK.


Job Description

Are you the organized force that keeps complex projects on track? AtkinsRéalis is looking for a Project Controller in Bristol who enjoys being the “hub” of a busy multidisciplinary team. In this role, you aren’t just filling out spreadsheets; you are the guardian of project efficiency. You are the person who ensures that when a major bridge is built or a highway is upgraded, the finances are transparent, the risks are managed, and the reporting is flawless.

This role requires a unique mix of analytical rigor and interpersonal “soft skills.” One morning you might be deep in Excel, reconciling project costs against a strict local authority budget; in the afternoon, you could be chairing a monthly review meeting, ensuring that Project Managers have submitted the data needed for a critical Stage Gate review. If you have a questioning mind, a drive for accuracy, and the ambition to learn the “Atkins way” of project delivery, this role offers a clear pathway to becoming a senior leader in the UK’s thriving infrastructure sector.


Expert Guide: Finalizing Your 74-Role UK Market Analysis

This Project Controller role is the 74th entry in your dataset, serving as the “Operational Support” anchor for your 2026 Bristol research. To conclude this massive project, consider these four final perspectives:

  1. The “Project Support” Salary View: Compare this Project Controller role (est. £35k) against the Assistant Management Accountant (£35k) and the Senior Nuclear Safety Engineer (£50k+) to see the entry-to-mid-level career trajectory at AtkinsRéalis.

  2. The Bristol “Infrastructure Powerhouse”: A final look at the Bristol cluster featuring AtkinsRéalis (Transport/Nuclear), Maxim (Claims/Disputes), and CBSbutler (Defense).

  3. The “Gatekeeper” Skillset: An analysis of how Stage Gate Compliance (Atkins), Chartership (ICE/ACA), and SC Clearance act as the primary filters for professional progression in 2026.

  4. Strategic 2026 Synthesis: A final summary of how “Commercial Integrity,” “Data-Driven Reporting,” and “Hybrid Flexibility” have appeared in 100% of your 74-role professional dataset.

    AtkinsRéalis: Engineering a Sustainable Future from Bristol

    AtkinsRéalis (formerly the SNC-Lavalin Group, including Atkins and Faithful+Gould) is a world-leading professional services and project management company. In Bristol, the firm acts as a central engine for the South West’s infrastructure, aerospace, and energy sectors. As of 2026, AtkinsRéalis has fully unified its global identity, focusing on its mission to “engineer a better future for our planet and its people” through the integration of people, data, and technology.

    The culture at AtkinsRéalis Bristol is defined by innovation, purposeful delivery, and a “digital-first” mindset. The office is a collaborative hub where multi-disciplinary teams work on landmark UK projects, from nuclear power to sustainable urban development. By 2026, the company has become a pioneer in “Nuclear-Powered AI,” recently announcing a global collaboration with NVIDIA to accelerate the deployment of AI factories powered by clean energy.


    Key Office Highlights (2026)

    Feature Details
    Bristol Location The Hub, 500 Park Avenue, Aztec West, Bristol, BS32 4RZ
    Primary Sectors Aerospace, Defence, Nuclear, Transportation, and Water
    Regional Impact Key partner for the South West’s “Silicon Gorge” tech cluster
    Global Workforce 36,000+ employees representing 130 nationalities
    2026 Innovation Partnership with NVIDIA to build “AI Factories”
    Sustainability Goal Leading the industry toward Engineering Net Zero by 2030
    Ethics Rating Recognized as one of the 2026 World’s Most Ethical Companies®

    Strategic Bristol Sectors & Projects

    The Bristol office is home to some of the most specialized engineering talent in the UK, supporting critical national infrastructure:

    • Security, Aerospace & Defence: Bristol is a strategic base for AtkinsRéalis’ work with the Ministry of Defence (Abbey Wood) and aerospace leaders. In 2026, they are at the forefront of “digital safety transformation” for next-generation armored vehicles and flight systems.

    • Nuclear & Clean Power: A major contributor to the UK’s nuclear renaissance, the Bristol team works across Power New Build, Reactor Operations, and Decommissioning. They are heavily involved in projects like Sizewell C and the development of SMR (Small Modular Reactor) designs.

    • Transportation & Cities: Leading the design of “Greener Journeys” across the South West. Their work spans the full transport ecosystem, including Highways England and Network Rail projects, with a focus on decarbonization and EV infrastructure.

    • Water & Environment: The Bristol office houses specialized wastewater hydraulic modellers and consultants providing technical and regulatory advice to UK water utilities, especially as they prepare for the PR29 regulatory period.


    The 2026 Digital & AI Strategy

    In 2026, AtkinsRéalis has moved beyond traditional engineering into Digital Intelligence:

    1. AI Factories (NVIDIA Collaboration): Launched in March 2026, this initiative integrates AtkinsRéalis’ CANDU® nuclear portfolio with NVIDIA’s computing power to create high-efficiency, nuclear-powered data centers for the AI industrial revolution.

    2. Decarbonomics™: A proprietary data-driven platform used by the Bristol team to help clients benchmark, roadmap, and implement cost-effective carbon reduction across massive building portfolios.

    3. Digital Twins: Using high-fidelity simulation and NVIDIA Omniverse to streamline construction schedules and improve the safety performance of complex systems before physical work begins.

    4. Judgment-Based Engineering: CEO Ian Edwards emphasizes that while AI is a “strong enabler,” engineering remains a human-led profession centered on safety and professional judgment.


    Careers & “What It’s Like”

    AtkinsRéalis is consistently ranked as a top employer for STEM professionals and graduates:

    • The “Be You” Culture: The firm emphasizes equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I). In Bristol, they recently participated in regional events to discuss leading multi-generational workforces.

    • Early Careers: The 2026 Apprenticeship and Placement Schemes in Bristol offer roles in Civil Engineering, Digital & Technology Solutions, and Project Management.

    • Hybrid Working: Employees typically commit to spending a minimum of 2-3 days a week in the office or on client sites to foster collaboration and mentorship.

To apply for this job please visit careers.atkinsrealis.com.