Senior Planning Engineer - Project Controls
Posted date [2026-08-24]
(ID: 50137)
 |
AECOM is a global leader in infrastructure development, engineering, and project management solutions, dedicated to building a better, smarter, and more sustainable world. With unmatched expertise in construction, civil engineering, architecture, environmental consulting, and urban development, AECOM helps clients tackle complex challenges across water, energy, transportation, oil and gas, renewable energy, and smart city projects. As one of the world’s leading engineering and construction companies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the wider Gulf region, AECOM partners with both government and private organizations to deliver innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective infrastructure solutions through every stage of the project lifecycle from advisory and design to engineering, procurement, and construction management. Headquartered in the United States and operating across the Middle East, AECOM is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of USD 16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Its projects shape skylines, transportation systems, and energy networks across major Gulf cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, and Muscat. For those seeking engineering jobs in Dubai, construction management roles in the UAE, civil engineering careers in Saudi Arabia, or infrastructure project opportunities across the Middle East, AECOM offers a world-class environment for growth and innovation. Discover the latest AECOM Gulf and Middle East job openings at careersingulf.com, the region’s leading job portal for engineering, architecture, construction, and project management careers.... |
Job Description and Requirements
Senior Planning Engineer - Project ControlsJob Snapshot
Role: Senior Planning Engineer - Project Controls
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Civil Engineering
Function: Project-Program Management
Experience: Minimum 15 years professional experience
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
Senior Planning Engineer - Project Controls in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a Civil Engineering opportunity with AECOM for an experienced project controls professional specializing in planning, scheduling, progress monitoring, delay analysis, Extension of Time evaluation, and programme recovery across major building and infrastructure projects. The role requires advanced Primavera P6 expertise and the ability to integrate design, procurement, construction, cost, resources, risk, and contractual requirements into reliable project schedules and management reporting.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Civil Engineering
Function: Project-Program Management
Salary: 25000-35000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate
Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Senior Planning Engineer provides the scheduling and performance intelligence required to keep complex projects aligned with contractual milestones and delivery objectives. The position covers baseline programme assessment, schedule updates, progress verification, delay analysis, resource forecasting, performance measurement, and recovery planning.
Working closely with the Resident Engineer, supervision team, Project Manager, Construction Manager, Cost Control, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction teams, the planner must ensure that reported progress reflects actual site conditions and that emerging risks are identified early enough for corrective action.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and maintain integrated project schedules covering design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover activities.
* Use Primavera P6 or equivalent planning software to build, update, and analyze detailed project programmes.
* Review contractor baseline programmes for contractual compliance, sequencing logic, activity relationships, durations, resources, and milestone alignment.
* Assess whether programme assumptions and resource allocations are realistic and consistent with project requirements.
* Monitor construction progress against approved schedules and identify variances from planned performance.
* Coordinate with the Resident Engineer and site supervision team to validate actual progress before schedule updates are issued.
* Analyse schedule slippage and identify the activities, interfaces, or constraints driving delays.
* Recommend practical corrective actions and recovery strategies to protect contractual milestones.
* Prepare weekly and monthly planning reports summarizing progress, key milestones, delays, risks, and required interventions.
* Develop clear schedule narratives that explain performance rather than simply presenting activity data.
* Review contractor revised programmes and assess whether proposed recovery measures are achievable.
* Evaluate Extension of Time claims in accordance with contract requirements and approved procedures.
* Review contractor delay analyses and verify the relationship between claimed events and programme impact.
* Assess concurrent delays, critical path changes, and schedule logic where relevant to EOT evaluation.
* Maintain clear records supporting planning assessments, programme reviews, and delay-related recommendations.
* Develop progress measurement systems and performance indicators for project control.
* Establish appropriate methods for measuring physical progress across different work packages.
* Conduct trend analysis to identify emerging schedule risks before they materially affect delivery.
* Prepare what-if scenarios to assess the potential effect of changes, constraints, or mitigation options.
* Model alternative sequencing and recovery approaches where programme performance requires intervention.
* Support preparation of project cash flow forecasts based on planned progress and expenditure profiles.
* Develop resource histograms and manpower projections to support planning and delivery decisions.
* Compare planned resource requirements with actual deployment and identify potential productivity or capacity concerns.
* Coordinate programme information with Cost Control to maintain consistency between schedule and financial reporting.
* Align planning outputs with Engineering and Procurement teams so design and material dependencies are reflected accurately.
* Coordinate with Construction teams to ensure work sequencing reflects real site access and delivery conditions.
* Participate in progress, planning, and coordination meetings with contractors, clients, and other stakeholders.
* Present programme status, critical risks, schedule forecasts, and recovery recommendations clearly.
* Support the Project Manager and Construction Manager with project risk identification and mitigation planning.
* Maintain schedule data integrity and ensure planning records comply with AECOM Project Management and Controls procedures.
* Assist with project controls documentation, reporting standards, and governance requirements.
* Mentor junior planners and site engineers in scheduling, progress measurement, programme analysis, and reporting techniques.
* Review junior planning outputs and provide technical guidance to improve accuracy and consistency.
Ideal Profile
Candidates should hold a Bachelor\'s Degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
Applicants must have at least 15 years of professional experience in building and infrastructure project delivery, with substantial responsibility for project planning, scheduling, and controls.
Advanced knowledge of Primavera P6 or comparable planning software is essential.
Candidates should have proven consultancy experience supporting private developer projects and working within complex multidisciplinary delivery environments.
Strong knowledge of contract management and Extension of Time claim evaluation is required.
Experience should include progress monitoring, variance analysis, critical path assessment, recovery planning, delay evaluation, and corrective action development.
Candidates must be comfortable preparing detailed progress reports, trend analyses, schedule forecasts, and what-if scenarios for senior stakeholders.
Experience integrating planning with cost control, cash flow forecasting, resource histograms, and manpower planning is highly valuable.
Professional certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent is preferred.
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong analytical judgement, attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to challenge unrealistic contractor programmes or recovery proposals with evidence-based reasoning.
Skills Set
Primavera P6
Project scheduling
Project planning
Project controls
Baseline programme review
Construction scheduling
Design scheduling
Procurement scheduling
Critical path analysis
Progress monitoring
Variance analysis
Extension of Time evaluation
EOT claims
Delay analysis
Schedule recovery
Recovery programmes
What-if analysis
Trend analysis
Progress measurement
Performance indicators
Weekly progress reporting
Monthly progress reporting
Cash flow forecasting
Resource histograms
Manpower projections
Cost control integration
Risk identification
Risk mitigation
Programme forecasting
Contract management
Contractor programme review
Project controls governance
Schedule data integrity
Private developer projects
Infrastructure projects
Building projects
Stakeholder reporting
Planning meetings
PMP
PRINCE2
Planner mentoring
Why Join Us
Dubai continues to deliver major building, transportation, and infrastructure programmes that require experienced planning professionals capable of managing increasingly complex schedules, contractual interfaces, and delivery risks. This role provides senior-level responsibility across programme development, contractor assessment, claims analysis, project controls, and executive reporting.
The breadth of the position also offers a strong foundation for progression into Project Controls Manager, Planning Manager, Programme Controls, or broader project and programme management leadership roles within large multidisciplinary developments.
About the Company
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting and professional services organization delivering engineering, planning, design, environmental, programme, project controls, and construction management expertise. Its multidisciplinary teams support transportation, buildings, water, energy, and infrastructure projects throughout the project lifecycle, helping clients deliver complex programmes through structured planning, technical expertise, and coordinated project management.
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Senior Planning Engineer provides the scheduling and performance intelligence required to keep complex projects aligned with contractual milestones and delivery objectives. The position covers baseline programme assessment, schedule updates, progress verification, delay analysis, resource forecasting, performance measurement, and recovery planning.
Working closely with the Resident Engineer, supervision team, Project Manager, Construction Manager, Cost Control, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction teams, the planner must ensure that reported progress reflects actual site conditions and that emerging risks are identified early enough for corrective action.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and maintain integrated project schedules covering design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover activities.
* Use Primavera P6 or equivalent planning software to build, update, and analyze detailed project programmes.
* Review contractor baseline programmes for contractual compliance, sequencing logic, activity relationships, durations, resources, and milestone alignment.
* Assess whether programme assumptions and resource allocations are realistic and consistent with project requirements.
* Monitor construction progress against approved schedules and identify variances from planned performance.
* Coordinate with the Resident Engineer and site supervision team to validate actual progress before schedule updates are issued.
* Analyse schedule slippage and identify the activities, interfaces, or constraints driving delays.
* Recommend practical corrective actions and recovery strategies to protect contractual milestones.
* Prepare weekly and monthly planning reports summarizing progress, key milestones, delays, risks, and required interventions.
* Develop clear schedule narratives that explain performance rather than simply presenting activity data.
* Review contractor revised programmes and assess whether proposed recovery measures are achievable.
* Evaluate Extension of Time claims in accordance with contract requirements and approved procedures.
* Review contractor delay analyses and verify the relationship between claimed events and programme impact.
* Assess concurrent delays, critical path changes, and schedule logic where relevant to EOT evaluation.
* Maintain clear records supporting planning assessments, programme reviews, and delay-related recommendations.
* Develop progress measurement systems and performance indicators for project control.
* Establish appropriate methods for measuring physical progress across different work packages.
* Conduct trend analysis to identify emerging schedule risks before they materially affect delivery.
* Prepare what-if scenarios to assess the potential effect of changes, constraints, or mitigation options.
* Model alternative sequencing and recovery approaches where programme performance requires intervention.
* Support preparation of project cash flow forecasts based on planned progress and expenditure profiles.
* Develop resource histograms and manpower projections to support planning and delivery decisions.
* Compare planned resource requirements with actual deployment and identify potential productivity or capacity concerns.
* Coordinate programme information with Cost Control to maintain consistency between schedule and financial reporting.
* Align planning outputs with Engineering and Procurement teams so design and material dependencies are reflected accurately.
* Coordinate with Construction teams to ensure work sequencing reflects real site access and delivery conditions.
* Participate in progress, planning, and coordination meetings with contractors, clients, and other stakeholders.
* Present programme status, critical risks, schedule forecasts, and recovery recommendations clearly.
* Support the Project Manager and Construction Manager with project risk identification and mitigation planning.
* Maintain schedule data integrity and ensure planning records comply with AECOM Project Management and Controls procedures.
* Assist with project controls documentation, reporting standards, and governance requirements.
* Mentor junior planners and site engineers in scheduling, progress measurement, programme analysis, and reporting techniques.
* Review junior planning outputs and provide technical guidance to improve accuracy and consistency.
Ideal Profile
Candidates should hold a Bachelor\'s Degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
Applicants must have at least 15 years of professional experience in building and infrastructure project delivery, with substantial responsibility for project planning, scheduling, and controls.
Advanced knowledge of Primavera P6 or comparable planning software is essential.
Candidates should have proven consultancy experience supporting private developer projects and working within complex multidisciplinary delivery environments.
Strong knowledge of contract management and Extension of Time claim evaluation is required.
Experience should include progress monitoring, variance analysis, critical path assessment, recovery planning, delay evaluation, and corrective action development.
Candidates must be comfortable preparing detailed progress reports, trend analyses, schedule forecasts, and what-if scenarios for senior stakeholders.
Experience integrating planning with cost control, cash flow forecasting, resource histograms, and manpower planning is highly valuable.
Professional certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent is preferred.
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong analytical judgement, attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to challenge unrealistic contractor programmes or recovery proposals with evidence-based reasoning.
Skills Set
Primavera P6
Project scheduling
Project planning
Project controls
Baseline programme review
Construction scheduling
Design scheduling
Procurement scheduling
Critical path analysis
Progress monitoring
Variance analysis
Extension of Time evaluation
EOT claims
Delay analysis
Schedule recovery
Recovery programmes
What-if analysis
Trend analysis
Progress measurement
Performance indicators
Weekly progress reporting
Monthly progress reporting
Cash flow forecasting
Resource histograms
Manpower projections
Cost control integration
Risk identification
Risk mitigation
Programme forecasting
Contract management
Contractor programme review
Project controls governance
Schedule data integrity
Private developer projects
Infrastructure projects
Building projects
Stakeholder reporting
Planning meetings
PMP
PRINCE2
Planner mentoring
Why Join Us
Dubai continues to deliver major building, transportation, and infrastructure programmes that require experienced planning professionals capable of managing increasingly complex schedules, contractual interfaces, and delivery risks. This role provides senior-level responsibility across programme development, contractor assessment, claims analysis, project controls, and executive reporting.
The breadth of the position also offers a strong foundation for progression into Project Controls Manager, Planning Manager, Programme Controls, or broader project and programme management leadership roles within large multidisciplinary developments.
About the Company
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting and professional services organization delivering engineering, planning, design, environmental, programme, project controls, and construction management expertise. Its multidisciplinary teams support transportation, buildings, water, energy, and infrastructure projects throughout the project lifecycle, helping clients deliver complex programmes through structured planning, technical expertise, and coordinated project management.
