Job Description

Job Purpose Summary
The Planning Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and monitoring project schedules and plans. This role is crucial for ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. The Planning Engineer provides critical data and analysis to project managers and stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making, identifying potential risks and delays, and ensuring the efficient allocation of resources.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
1. Schedule Development & Maintenance:

• Develop, update, and maintain detailed project schedules using Primavera P6, MS Project, or other enterprise-level planning software.
• Create Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) in alignment with project requirements.
• Establish realistic baselines and obtain necessary approvals.
• Integrate schedules from various contractors and stakeholders into a master project schedule.

2. Monitoring & Reporting:

• Monitor project progress and compare actual performance against the baseline schedule.
• Collect and verify progress data from site teams, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Prepare and distribute regular progress reports, dashboards, and presentations for management and clients (e.g., weekly/monthly reports, S-Curves, histograms).
• Highlight critical path activities and any potential schedule slippages.

3. Analysis & Problem-Solving:

• Perform time impact analysis for potential delays and change orders.
• Identify and analyze schedule variances and their root causes.
• Develop and evaluate "what-if" scenarios to mitigate delays and optimize the project sequence.
• Provide early warnings of potential issues to the project management team.

4. Risk Management:

• Participate in risk workshops and integrate risk analysis into the schedule (e.g., through Monte Carlo simulations).
• Assess the impact of identified risks on the project timeline.

5. Resource & Cost Management:

• Assist in resource planning and leveling to ensure efficient use of manpower and equipment.
• Support the cost control team by linking the schedule to the project budget for Earned Value Management (EVM) analysis.

6. Communication & Collaboration:

• Liaise effectively with project managers, engineers, procurement teams, and construction supervisors.
• Chair and participate in progress review meetings.
• Provide clear and concise explanations of scheduling concepts to non-planning personnel.

7. Claims & Change Management:

• Provide detailed schedule forensic analysis to support claims preparation or defense, including Extension of Time (EOT) claims.
• Assess the schedule impact of client-initiated or unforeseen changes.

Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Proven experience (typically 3-5+ years) as a Planning Engineer, Scheduler, or Project Controls Engineer in a relevant industry (e.g., construction, oil & gas, infrastructure, energy).
• Expert-level proficiency in Primavera P6. Proficiency in MS Project is also highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., PMI, APM) and scheduling techniques (CPM, PERT).
• Solid knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM).

Desirable:

• Professional certification such as PMI-SP (Scheduling Professional), PMP (Project Management Professional), or equivalent.
• Experience with other project controls software (e.g., ASTA Powerproject, Safran).
• Knowledge of 4D/5D BIM modeling and its integration with scheduling.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Analytical Mindset: Exceptional ability to analyze data, identify trends, and solve complex problems.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous accuracy in building and maintaining complex schedules.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to report findings and influence decision-making.
• Numerical Proficiency: Strong skills in mathematics, data interpretation, and financial principles related to project controls.
• Organizational Skills: Superior ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Team Player: Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in MS Office Suite (especially Excel).