Senior Planning Engineer

Decima International; Dubai Emirate; On-site; AED 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Decima International is seeking a Senior Planning Engineer to support datacenter projects for a leading technology client. This client-facing role requires strong planning, scheduling, and communication skills, with on-site work in Dubai, UAE.

You will develop WBS, CPM baselines, IMS, and EVM implementations across multiple projects, ensuring feasibility, risk mitigation, and timely delivery in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in construction planning and scheduling.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Strong understanding of scheduling methodologies and best practices.
• Advanced Primavera P6 with resource and cost loading.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project and Excel.
• Experience in client-facing roles and complex programs.
• Ability to communicate across all organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain client relationships with technical and senior management.
• Prepare and present project progress, insights, and recommendations.
• Review plans, specs, and requirements to ensure objectives.
• Develop WBS, baseline CPM schedules, and IMS.
• Load resources and costs into schedules.
• Conduct resource analysis to identify bottlenecks and optimization.
• Update weekly and monthly schedules and reports.
• Review schedules from contractors and vendors for feasibility and compliance.
• Analyze schedule changes, delays, and accelerations.
• Implement Earned Value Management systems to track performance.
• Identify risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Perform delay analysis and what-if scenarios.
• Serve as communications interface between client and stakeholders.

Skills

Fluent English

Client-facing

Communication

Scheduling

Construction planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management/PM

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Decima International is a professional services company, providing project management and controls services to clients in the United States and the Middle East. Our mission is to become the premier professional services provider across all industry sectors we are engaged in. To accomplish this, Decima International's founders established a simple yet powerful formula:

Approach each client engagement as a partnership, create an environment that attracts the most talented professionals and allows them to flourish, and regulate growth to maintain excellence in our service standards.

About Decima International

Decima International is a leading professional services firm specializing in project management, planning, and advisory services for complex, large-scale developments. We partner with some of the world's most prominent organizations—particularly in the technology and infrastructure sectors to deliver high-impact projects with precision and excellence. Our team thrives on innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to driving results in fast-paced, high-performance environments.

If you are seeking a long‑term, rewarding career working with high-profile clients on some of the most challenging and cutting‑edge projects globally, Decima International is where you belong. We offer exceptional opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and career advancement.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly driven and capable Senior Planning Engineer to support the delivery of multiple datacenter projects for one of the world's leading technology clients.

This is a client-facing role requiring strong technical expertise, communication skills, and the ability to manage complex planning and scheduling functions across multiple projects.

Location: Onsite in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, engaging with both technical and senior management stakeholders
• Prepare and deliver high-quality presentations to communicate project progress, insights, and recommendations
• Review project plans, specifications, and requirements to ensure alignment with objectives
• Develop and manage Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), CPM baseline schedules, and Integrated Master Schedules (IMS)
• Perform resource and cost loading within schedules
• Conduct resource analysis to identify constraints, bottlenecks, and optimization opportunities
• Maintain and update weekly and monthly schedules and reporting outputsReview and validate schedules from contractors, consultants, and vendors to ensure feasibility and compliance
• Analyze and report schedule changes, delays, and accelerations
• Develop and implement Earned Value Management (EVM) systems to track performance and progress
• Identify risks at program and project levels and propose mitigation strategies
• Perform delay analysis and scenario ("what-if") modeling
• Act as a key communication interface between the client and project stakeholders
• Support additional planning and project-related tasks as required

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in construction planning and scheduling
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies and scheduling best practices
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 (including resource and cost loading, tracking, and reporting)
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Project
• Experience producing a variety of reports (critical path, resource histograms, forecasts, etc.)
• Proven experience in client-facing roles
• Ability to interpret complex construction programs and communicate effectively across all levels
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

Nice to Have

• Master's degree in Construction Management or related field
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI
• Datacenter or large-scale vertical construction experience (e.g., hospitals, hotels, mixed-use developments)
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Professional certifications such as PSP or PMI-SP
• Active membership in PMI, AACEi, or similar professional organizations

Position Details

• Title: Senior Planning Engineer
• Location: Onsite – Dubai, UAE
• Employment Type: Full-time

Tools & Technologies

• Primavera P6
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Microsoft 365

Decima International is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to the safety and well‑being of all. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low‑income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law.