Lead Planning Engineer

1. Establish, develop and maintain the overall Project Master Schedule, baseline schedule and integrated project schedule in line with Contract requirements and Company procedures.

2. Prepare detailed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), activity definition, logic relationships, durations, resources and cost loading using Primavera P6 (or equivalent planning software).

3. Monitor and update project progress on a regular basis (weekly/monthly), calculate physical % complete, prepare S-curves, histograms, progress reports and dashboards.

4. Identify critical path, float, schedule risks and potential delays; prepare recovery plans and what-if scenarios when necessary.

5. Coordinate with engineering, procurement, construction, subcontractors and client teams to collect accurate progress data and resolve planning issues.

6. Prepare and submit timely progress reports, look-ahead schedules, manpower histograms and material delivery forecasts to Project Manager and Client.

7. Perform delay analysis, support Extension of Time (EOT) claims preparation and provide forensic planning inputs when required.

8. Lead planning review meetings, present schedule status and forecasts to senior management and stakeholders.

9. Ensure proper version control of schedule files and maintain historical schedule records for traceability.

10. Support project close-out by preparing as-built schedules, lessons learned and handover documentation related to planning.

11. Maintain confidentiality of sensitive project schedule and commercial information.

12. Authorities:

    1. Access and manage the project planning/scheduling system and databases (Primavera P6, etc.).
    2. Review and approve/disapprove subcontractor/consultant submitted schedules for compliance with project requirements.
    3. Request clarification, missing progress data or corrective actions from relevant departments/disciplines for accurate schedule updating.
    4. Enforce schedule update procedures, coding standards, WBS structure and reporting requirements across the project team.
    5. Compliance of planning practices with Contract requirements, Company procedures and industry standards (e.g. AACE, PMI).

Desired Candidate Profile

1. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial), Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline.

2. Minimum 10 years of planning/scheduling experience in EPC or large-scale construction projects (preferably in Oil & Gas, Infrastructure or Industrial sectors), with at least 3–5 years in a Lead/Senior Planning Engineer role.

3. Proven experience in developing and managing Level 3–5 schedules using Primavera P6 (mandatory); MS Project experience is a plus.

4. Strong knowledge of project controls principles, progress measurement, earned value management (EVM), delay analysis and claims support.

5. Familiarity with international project environments, FIDIC/EPC contract forms and Client reporting requirements in the Middle East.

6. Working proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required.

7. Physical Requirements

   1. Ability to work in an office-based project environment with occasional site visits.
   2. Capability to handle prolonged computer-based work and attend extended meetings.
   3. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight reporting/submission deadlines.

   Skill Requirements

   1. Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 (resource loading, baseline management, critical path analysis).
   2. Strong analytical, problem-solving and forecasting skills.
   3. Excellent organizational, time management and attention to detail.
   4. Good communication, presentation and coordination skills with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
   5. Proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel advanced functions, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
   6. Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive project schedule and commercial data.