Planning Engineer

Job Title: Planning Engineer – Solar Projects

Designation: Planning Engineer

Department: Project Planning & Controls – Solar EPC

Reporting To: Planning Manager / Project Manager / Head – Projects

Job Summary The Planning Engineer is responsible for developing, monitoring, and controlling project schedules for solar EPC projects, ensuring timely execution from engineering and procurement through construction, commissioning, and handover. The role requires close coordination with cross-functional teams to track project progress, identify schedule risks, and implement corrective actions to achieve project milestones within budget and contractual timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and update detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.
• Prepare Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), project baselines, milestones, and critical path analyses.
• Monitor project progress and compare actual performance against planned schedules.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly progress reports, dashboards, and schedule updates for management and clients.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Procurement, Construction, QA/QC, Logistics, and Commissioning teams to ensure timely execution of project activities.
• Identify project delays, schedule variances, and critical risks, and recommend recovery plans and mitigation strategies.
• Track engineering deliverables, procurement status, material deliveries, and construction progress.
• Support resource planning, productivity analysis, and manpower forecasting.
• Participate in project review meetings and present schedule performance, forecasts, and recovery plans.
• Assist in project cost control by integrating schedule and progress monitoring with project budgets.
• Evaluate change orders, schedule impacts, and extension-of-time (EOT) claims where applicable.
• Maintain project planning documentation, revisions, and historical records.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, company procedures, and HSE standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3–8 years of experience in planning and scheduling EPC projects, with preference for solar power projects.
• Experience in utility-scale solar PV, ground-mounted, rooftop, or hybrid renewable energy projects is preferred.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Primavera P6 (preferred).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for planning, reporting, and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of Critical Path Method (CPM), project scheduling, and resource planning.
• Knowledge of EPC project execution, construction sequencing, and project controls.
• Familiarity with solar PV systems, civil works, structural works, electrical installation, transmission lines, substations, and commissioning activities.
• Experience with Power BI, ERP systems (SAP/Oracle), or project management software is an added advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational abilities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder coordination.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
• Decision-making and risk assessment capabilities.
• Teamwork and leadership potential.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time achievement of project milestones.
• Schedule variance and adherence to baseline plans.
• Timely submission of project progress reports.
• Accuracy of forecasting and planning updates.
• Effectiveness of delay mitigation and recovery planning.
• Resource utilization and productivity improvement.
• Client and management satisfaction with planning deliverables.
• Coordination with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and internal project teams.

Career Progression

Planning Engineer → Senior Planning Engineer → Planning Lead → Planning Manager → Project Controls Manager → Project Manager