Planning Engineer

Confidential Company; Al Khobar; On-site; SAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company in Saudi Arabia seeks a Senior Planning & Scheduling professional to lead planning, risk analysis, and cost control for large EPC oil and gas projects. You will develop integrated master schedules, track progress, and mentor a project controls team.

The role requires 6–8+ years in planning, with strong use of Primavera/MS Project, budgeting tools, and a track record in complex projects within the Middle East. Excellent leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction/project management.
• Professional certification from EPC industry (e.g., Primavera, PMI-SP, or similar) preferred.
• Minimum 6–8 years of progressive experience in planning in EPC oil & gas.
• Experience with budgeting tools and cost management software (Primavera, Oracle, Excel, MS Project).
• Proven track record of managing cost control, scheduling, and performance measurement on large-scale projects.
• 5-8+ years in project controls or related fields.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule development, maintain schedules using Primavera P6 or MS Project; integrate EPC activities into a unified baseline.
• Monitor progress, prepare weekly/monthly progress reports; track deliverables and site progress.
• Develop resource histograms and cost-loaded schedules; support Earned Value Management.
• Ensure computer systems and data security; interface with finance to reconcile budgets and expenditures; risk reviews.
• Identify schedule risks, perform what-if analyses, and propose mitigation actions.
• Coordinate with project teams to obtain progress data and present schedule updates; ensure alignment with procedures.
• Lead and mentor project controls team and support implementation of digital tools.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction/project management

Tools

Primavera

MS Project

Oracle

Excel

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• 1 Planning and Scheduling development: maintain and update project schedules using Primavera P6 or MS Project
  o Integrate engineering procurement and construction activities into a unified baseline schedule
  o Develop baseline programs with logic milestones and resource loading in coordination with the project team
  o Identify project critical paths and constraints and propose corrective actions when required
  o Integrate subcontractor and supplier schedules into the master program
• 2 Planning and Scheduling monitoring: Monitor actual progress versus planned targets and prepare weekly and monthly progress reports
  o Track engineering deliverables procurement activities and site construction progress
  o Analyze schedule deviations delays and potential risks prepare recovery or mitigation plans
  o Support management in project forecasting EOT Extension of Time claims and delay analysis
• 3 Resources management MFL EFL: Assist in developing resource histograms manpower forecasts and cost-loaded schedules
  o Support Earned Value Management EVM analysis and performance indices CPI SPI
• 4 Project Systems: To ensure the establishment of computer systems hardware software communications etc appropriate for the needs of the project in both Project and Site Offices
  o To ensure that all computer systems are maintained and that all users are supported in accordance with available systems expertise
  o To ensure that proper data security and data archival procedures are implemented and enforced
  o Interface with finance and accounting to reconcile budget data and actual expenditures
  o Participate in project risk and opportunity reviews from a cost perspective
  o Ensure compliance with internal procedures cost coding structures and financial policies
  o Prepare cost analysis for project close-out and lessons learned
• 5 Risk Management: Identify potential schedule risks and uncertainties related to engineering procurement construction and external factors such as weather permits or supplier delays
  o Work closely with Cost Control Engineering and Construction teams to ensure that risk information is consistently reflected in time and cost forecasts
  o Contribute to the preparation and maintenance of the project risk register highlighting schedule-related risks their likelihood and impact
  o Conduct what-if and sensitivity analyses using tools such as Primavera Risk Analysis or Monte Carlo simulation to assess the effect of uncertainties on key milestones
  o Propose and integrate mitigation or recovery actions into the project schedule to reduce risk exposure
• 6 Interface management: Coordinate with Project Managers Engineers Procurement and Construction teams to obtain progress data
  o Attend progress and coordination meetings and present schedule updates
  o Ensure that planning and reporting systems are aligned with company procedures and project
• 7 Team Leadership: Lead mentor and develop project controls team
  o Promote a culture of integrity safety high performance accountability and continuous improvement
  o Ensure compliance with company standards procedures and contractual obligations
  o Provide support during audits and client reviews
  o Mentor and guide junior project control engineers and planners
  o Contribute to the development of project control methodologies and best practices
  o Support implementation of digital tools and systems for project controls

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction/project management
• Professional certification from the EPC industry (e.g., Primavera, PMI-SP, or similar) is highly preferred.
• Minimum 6 - 8 years of progressive experience in planning. Experience within EPC oil and gas industry in Saudi Arabia or the Middle East is required.
• Experience with budgeting tools and cost management software (e.g., Primavera, Oracle, Excel, MS Project).
• Proven track record of managing cost control, scheduling, and performance measurement on large-scale or complex projects.
• 5-8+ years of experience in project controls, project management, or related fields.
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate teams to achieve results.
• Knowledge of project management principles, EOT claims, and risk analysis.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.