Planning Engineer - MEP

Job Purpose

The MEP Planning Engineer is responsible for developing, monitoring, and controlling project schedules for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) projects. The role ensures timely execution of projects through effective planning, resource allocation, progress tracking, risk assessment, and coordination with project stakeholders to achieve project milestones, contractual deadlines, and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Scheduling

• Prepare detailed baseline project schedules using Primavera P6 and/or MS Project.
• Develop project Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), activity sequences, logic links, and critical paths.
• Establish project milestones, key deliverables, and completion targets.
• Prepare integrated project programs covering engineering, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover activities.
• Create recovery schedules and mitigation plans for delayed projects.

Progress Monitoring & Control

• Monitor project progress against approved baseline schedules.
• Track actual progress, identify variances, and analyze impacts on project delivery.
• Conduct critical path and schedule performance analysis.
• Prepare weekly and monthly schedule updates.
• Highlight risks, delays, and bottlenecks and recommend corrective actions.

Resource & Cost Planning

• Develop manpower histograms and resource loading schedules.
• Prepare equipment utilization plans and productivity reports.
• Coordinate with project teams to optimize resource allocation.
• Support project cash flow forecasting and cost-loaded schedules.

Risk Management & Claims Support

• Identify scheduling risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Conduct schedule risk assessments and what-if scenario analyses.
• Support extension of time (EOT), variation, and claim submissions by providing schedule analysis and supporting documentation.
• Monitor project delays and maintain delay registers.

Coordination & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate with Project Managers, Site Engineers, Procurement, Commercial, and Design teams.
• Participate in project progress meetings and planning reviews.
• Liaise with consultants, clients, subcontractors, and suppliers on schedule-related matters.
• Ensure alignment of project activities with contractual obligations and client requirements.

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare weekly, monthly, and executive management progress reports.
• Generate S-curves, earned value reports, dashboards, and schedule analytics.
• Present project status reports to management, consultants, and clients.
• Maintain planning documentation and schedule records.

Qualifications & Experience required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical / Electrical preferred).
• Minimum 5–10 years of experience in project planning and scheduling.
• Strong background in MEP projects (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing).
• Proficient in Primavera P6 (mandatory).
• Experience in schedule development, updating, monitoring, and reporting.
• Knowledge of resource loading, cost loading, and progress measurement.
• Experience in baseline preparation, delay analysis, and recovery planning.
• Familiarity with EVM (Earned Value Management) and project controls practices is preferred.
• Good knowledge of construction sequencing and MEP installation activities.
• Proficient in Excel and reporting dashboards.
• Strong communication and coordination skills with project teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet reporting deadlines.
• Experience in GCC projects is preferred