Principal Planning Engineer

RTL Group Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in infrastructure projects is seeking a Principal Planning Engineer to enhance their dynamic team. The role involves managing project schedules through the entire lifecycle, collaborating with diverse teams, and ensuring efficiency in planning activities. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong project planning experience and possess the ability to analyse and mitigate risks effectively.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in project planning across lifecycle phases.
• Strong understanding of time-cost relationship and commercial outcomes.
• Ability to mitigate schedule variances.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning activities and manage project schedules.
• Monitor and report on progress, ensuring accurate forecasting.
• Collaborate with teams for clear schedule insights.

Skills

Project planning

Analytical skills

Communication

Time management

Education

Professional membership (ACostE, APM, ICE)

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Office

Job description

Are you a commercially minded Planning Engineer looking to take the lead on major infrastructure projects?

We’re currently recruiting for a Principal Planning Engineer to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team. This role is ideal for someone confident managing their own projects while collaborating effectively across teams. You'll be pivotal in delivering programmes throughout the full project lifecycle – from pre-contract planning through to construction and handover.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead planning activities under the direction of the Project Controls Manager.

• Develop and manage project schedules across the full lifecycle – Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning.

• Monitor, analyse, and report on progress, ensuring accurate forecasting of key deliverables.

• Collaborate with Commercial and Project Controls teams to deliver clear schedule insights.

• Identify risks, assess impacts, and perform ‘what-if’ analyses to inform strategic decisions.

• Actively support recruitment for the planning function as new contracts commence.

• Ensure schedule changes are effectively tracked and managed.

• Provide regular reporting and updates to internal teams and stakeholders.

Essential Experience & Skills:

• Proven experience in project planning across full lifecycle phases.

• Strong understanding of the relationship between time, cost, and commercial outcomes.

• Ability to challenge and mitigate schedule variances effectively.

• Proficient in Earned Value Analysis and schedule forecasting.

• Skilled in MS Office and planning tools (Primavera P6 or equivalent).

• Strong analytical skills and confident communicator.

Desirable:

• Experience in highly regulated sectors (e.g., nuclear, defence, or rail).

• Professional membership (e.g., ACostE, APM, ICE).

If you're looking to take the next step in your planning career and contribute to exciting, high-profile infrastructure projects, we’d love to hear from you.