Lead Planner

Alstom Ireland; Dublin; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Alstom Ireland seeks a Lead Project Planner to develop, control, and report integrated ETCS programmes across engineering, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and fleet rollout. You will mentor junior planners and coordinate with fleet engineering, suppliers, and customers to meet milestones.

The role emphasizes autonomy, accurate scheduling, and regular performance reporting, with travel to depots and sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a project planning/scheduling role.
• Expert knowledge of Primavera P6 with resource and cost loading.
• Strong Earned Value Management and forecasting skills.
• Excellent stakeholder communication.
• Experience with risk analysis / QSRA.
• Experience in rolling stock retrofit or fleet modification.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain logic-linked project programmes for ETCS Onboard projects.
• Produce train-based and fleet-level schedules across multiple units.
• Incorporate resource loading, materials planning, cost loading, and earned value into project programmes.
• Integrate supplier and third-party plans into a master schedule.
• Continuously monitor progress and reflect status at vehicle and fleet level.
• Identify critical paths and risks and support mitigation planning.
• Produce regular performance reports for management and customer reviews.
• Mentor a team of planners and drive continuous improvement.
• Support depot and commissioning planning, including night/weekend work.
• Ensure compliance with planning procedures and contractual requirements.

Skills

Earned Value Mgmt

Project Planning

Stakeholder Communication

Analytical Skills

Excel

Rail Signalling

Education

Degree-level education

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

Position Overview

The Lead Project Planner will be responsible for the development, control, and reporting of integrated onboard ETCS programmes, covering engineering, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and fleet rollout activities. The role requires close coordination across fleet engineering, installation teams, suppliers, test & commissioning, vehicle availability, and the customer, ensuring train-based activities are aligned with depot access, possessions, and operational constraints. Reporting to the Planning Manager, the Lead Planner will operate with a high degree of autonomy, producing accurate, timely plans and performance reports, while also mentoring and managing junior planners within a complex, multi-unit programme environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain fully logic-linked project programmes for ETCS Onboard projects, covering: Design and engineering maturity Equipment supply and logistics Vehicle availability and depot access Installation, integration, testing, commissioning, and approvals
• Produce train-based and fleet-level schedules, ensuring repeatable, scalable planning logic across multiple units.
• Incorporate resource loading, materials planning, cost loading, and earned value into project programmes using Primavera P6
• Integrate supplier and third-party plans into a single coherent master schedule.
• Continuously monitor programme progress to accurately reflect installation, test, and commissioning status at vehicle and fleet level
• Identify critical paths and risks related to: Vehicle access Late design changes Supplier performance Test and commissioning readiness
• Support mitigation planning to protect key milestones such as fleet entry into service, trial operation, and customer acceptance.
• Produce regular performance reports (schedule, SPI, CPI, forecast completion) for internal management and customer reviews.
• Facilitate planning and progress workshops with Work Package Managers, Fleet Engineering, T&C, and Installation teams.
• Support depot and commissioning planning, including night work, weekend working, and key commissioning events.
• Ensure programmes comply with company planning procedures and contractual requirements.
• Line manage and mentor a small team of planners (13), ensuring high-quality, consistent planning outputs.
• Support the Planning Manager with audits, business requests, and continuous improvement of planning practices.

Postholder Requirements

• Essential Extensive experience in a project planning / scheduling role. Proven experience developing and controlling complex, multi-unit programmes
• Expert knowledge of Primavera P6, including resource and cost loading
• Strong understanding of Earned Value Management (SPI, CPI, forecasting)
• Excellent stakeholder communication skills, with the ability to engage engineering, installation, suppliers, and clients
• Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail
• Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Experience working on the contractor or system integrator side of delivery
• Desirable: Knowledge of ETCS Onboard systems, including installation, integration, testing, and commissioning
• Experience in rolling stock retrofit or fleet modification programmes
• Awareness of depot operations, vehicle maintenance constraints, and operational interfaces
• Experience with risk analysis / QSRADemonstrable people management or mentoring experience
• Degree-level education or equivalent industry experience
• Experience of Earned Value of Primavera Risk / Quantitive Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA)
• Knowledge and experience of Rail Signalling

Additional Information

Travel to depots, test sites, and commissioning locations will be required. Occasional weekend or night working to support key installation or commissioning activities. The role requires strict adherence to Environment, Health & Safety and depot safety procedure.

Skills

Primavera P6 Earned Value Management Project Planning TPBN1_IJ