Lead Planner

Bechtel; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bechtel is seeking a Lead Planner to drive scheduling for large Manufacturing & Technology projects in Houston, TX. You will develop, maintain, and analyze integrated EPCC schedules, mentor planners, and partner with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to optimize delivery.

The role demands strong CPM scheduling, risk assessment, and ability to present forecasts and recovery plans to project leadership. Relocation offered; full-time office/project work environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, and analyzing complex integrated project schedules.
• Advanced knowledge of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup work processes.
• Strong CPM scheduling, forecasting, schedule analysis, risk assessment, recovery planning, and schedule impact evaluation.
• Experience supporting large EPC, EPCM, PMC, or program management projects.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary planning efforts, facilitate decision-making, and mentor planning personnel.
• Strong communication, presentation, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, maintenance, and analysis of integrated EPCCS schedules, including management of the project schedule hierarchy (Levels 1-5).
• Ensure schedule alignment with project objectives, execution strategies, contractual requirements, and milestones.
• Direct collection and validation of scope, quantities, productivity assumptions, staffing requirements, and schedule logic.
• Facilitate planning workshops, schedule reviews, and coordination across project functions.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to planners and schedulers across the project organization.
• Monitor schedule performance and perform critical path analysis, forecasting, and risk assessments.

Skills

CPM scheduling

Forecasting

Risk assessment

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Office

Job description

Requisition ID: 299165

• Relocation Authorized: National - Family
• Telework Type: Full-Time Office/Project
• Work Location: Houston, TX

Extraordinary teams building inspiring projects:

Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. We serve the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; Mining & Metals, and the Manufacturing and Technology markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations.

Core to Bechtel is our Vision, Values and Commitments. They are what we believe, what customers can expect, and how we deliver. Learn more about our extraordinary teams building inspiring projects in our Impact Report.

Project Overview:

Bechtel's Manufacturing & Technology (M&T) Business Unit is designing and building an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Manufacturing Facility located at Generation Park in Houston, TX. M&T is an exciting and growing business unit that serves customers in the semiconductor, datacenter, life sciences, and electric vehicle markets. M&T strives to exceed our customer objectives through utilizing our agility, innovative technologies, and world class talent. M&T solves the industry's toughest challenges, building both our company and the world for the future. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, the M&T global business unit also includes colleagues working in Arizona, Ohio, Texas, India, and additional project locations around the world.

Job Summary:

The Lead Planner leads planning and scheduling activities for large, complex Manufacturing & Technology (M&T) projects. Working as part of the Project Controls team, the role develops and maintains integrated schedules, monitors performance, supports forecasting and risk management, and provides schedule reporting and analysis to support project execution.

The Lead Planner provides leadership to planning personnel, facilitates coordination across project functions, and delivers strategic schedule insights and recommendations that support informed decision-making and successful project outcomes. #LI-SM2

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, implementation, maintenance, and analysis of integrated EPCCS schedules, including management of the project schedule hierarchy (Levels 1-5), schedule baselines, and incorporation of approved scope and execution strategy changes.
• Ensure schedule alignment with project objectives, execution strategies, contractual requirements, and key project milestones.
• Direct the collection, validation, integration, and evaluation of project scope, quantities, productivity assumptions, staffing requirements, and schedule logic.
• Facilitate planning workshops, schedule reviews, and coordination across project functions to ensure stakeholder alignment and integrated project controls.
• Provide leadership, technical direction, and mentorship to planners and schedulers across the project organization.
• Monitor schedule performance and perform critical path analysis, trend identification, forecasting, schedule risk assessments, and what-if scenario modeling.
• Provide schedule forecasting and execution insights to support project planning, performance measurement, and decision-making.
• Develop and recommend mitigation, recovery, and execution improvement strategies to address schedule risks and performance issues.
• Prepare and present schedule reports, forecasts, schedule impact analyses, recovery plans, and executive-level presentations; communicate schedule basis, assumptions, constraints, risks, and opportunities to project leadership and clients.
• Ensure schedule quality and compliance through application of corporate procedures, schedule health metrics, integrity reviews, and continuous improvement of planning and scheduling standards and best practices.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) and 8-10 years of relevant experience or 12-14 years of relevant work experience

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, and analyzing complex integrated project schedules.
• Advanced knowledge of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning, and Startup work processes.
• Strong understanding of CPM scheduling, forecasting, schedule analysis, risk assessment, recovery planning, and schedule impact evaluation.
• Experience supporting large EPC, EPCM, PMC, or program management projects.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary planning efforts, facilitate decision-making, and mentor planning personnel.
• Strong communication, presentation, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Primavera P6, Microsoft Office, and related Project Controls applications.

Preferred Qualifications (M&T-Specific)

• Experience supporting Semiconductor, Data Center, Pharmaceutical, Battery, EV Infrastructure, or other advanced manufacturing projects.
• Experience supporting large-scale EPC execution strategies and industrial mega-projects.
• Familiarity with Advanced Work Packaging (AWP), integrated EPC scheduling, and performance forecasting.
• Experience with schedule risk analysis (QSRA/SRA), trend management, and schedule-driven decision-making.
• Understanding of total installed cost (TIC) impacts associated with schedule decisions and execution tradeoffs.

Total Rewards/Benefits:

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive. Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

Diverse teams build the extraordinary:

As a global company, Bechtel has long been home to a vibrant multitude of nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, and life experiences. This diversity has made us a more trusted partner, more effective problem solvers and innovators, and a more attractive destination for leading talent.

We are committed to being a company where every colleague feels that they belong-where colleagues feel part of "One Team," respected and rewarded for what they bring, supported in pursuing their goals, invested in our values and purpose, and treated equitably.

Bechtel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants with a disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may e-mail their request to [e-mail]