Planning Engineer

Job Title: Planning Engineer

Company: BI Group

Location: Dubai, UAE

Department: Design & Technical

Reports To: Project Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience Level: Senior (5-8+ years)

Company Overview

BI Group is a dynamic real estate development company based in Dubai, specializing in residential and mixed-use projects. We are committed to delivering exceptional properties that combine innovative design, quality construction, and sustainable practices.

Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced Planning Engineer to manage project planning, scheduling, and progress monitoring across both pre-contract (tender evaluation, contract award) and post-contract (construction execution, handover) phases. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, proficiency in planning software (Primavera P6/MS Project), and the ability to translate complex project data into actionable insights for management decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

PRE-CONTRACT PHASE (Tender to Award)

1. Tender Programme Evaluation

• Review and analyze contractor-submitted construction programmes during tender stage
• Assess programme logic, sequence, and critical path validity
• Evaluate programme duration and milestone alignment with project requirements
• Identify risks, gaps, and unrealistic timelines in tender programmes
• Compare programmes across multiple bidders
• Prepare programme evaluation reports for tender committee
• Assess contractor's understanding of project scope and sequencing
• Review contractor's proposed methodologies against programme
• Evaluate mobilization periods and resource loading
• Check compliance with contract milestones and handover dates

2. Master Schedule Development

• Develop preliminary master schedule during project feasibility stage
• Create high-level milestone schedules for project presentations
• Plan phasing strategies for multi-phase developments
• Coordinate programme with design delivery schedule
• Integrate authority approval timelines into master schedule
• Align schedule with sales and marketing launch dates
• Plan handover schedules and phasing to end users

3. Risk Analysis & Contingency Planning

• Identify schedule risks during pre-contract phase
• Conduct schedule risk analysis on tender programmes
• Assess impact of design changes on programme
• Evaluate seasonal and weather impacts on schedule
• Recommend schedule contingencies and buffers
• Prepare "what-if" scenarios for different contract strategies
• Assess fast-track vs. traditional programme approaches

4. Design & Procurement Coordination

• Develop design delivery schedule aligned with construction programme
• Plan consultant deliverable schedules
• Coordinate long-lead procurement timelines
• Integrate MEP, façade, and specialty systems timelines
• Plan authority approval submission and response periods
• Coordinate design freeze dates with tender schedule

5. Contract Programme Baseline

• Finalize baseline programme post-contract award
• Negotiate programme amendments with contractor
• Establish key project milestones and KPIs
• Set up programme monitoring and reporting framework
• Agree on programme update frequency and format
• Establish critical path methodology and float management rules

POST-CONTRACT PHASE (Construction to Handover)

1. Progress Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor actual vs. planned progress on weekly/monthly basis
• Conduct regular site walkthroughs to verify physical progress
• Review contractor's monthly progress reports and programmes
• Validate progress claims and S-curves
• Track critical path activities and milestone achievement
• Prepare detailed progress reports for management and stakeholders
• Create executive summary dashboards and KPI reports
• Conduct look-ahead planning (4-week, 8-week forecasts)
• Monitor early warning indicators and schedule trends

2. Schedule Management & Updates

• Review and validate contractor's monthly programme updates
• Analyze programme variances and identify delays
• Assess impact of delays on critical path and project completion
• Monitor float consumption and critical activities
• Verify logic links, constraints, and dependencies
• Check for out-of-sequence activities
• Validate resource loading and histograms
• Review contractor's recovery programmes
• Maintain project baseline and track schedule changes

3. Delay Analysis & Claims Management

• Conduct delay analysis using recognized methodologies (Critical Path, Time Impact, Windows Analysis)
• Identify causes of delay (contractor, client, force majeure)
• Prepare delay analysis reports and EOT (Extension of Time) assessments
• Support commercial team in evaluating contractor delay claims
• Document critical delays and concurrent delays
• Prepare defence against unwarranted delay claims
• Maintain delay event logs and contemporaneous records
• Provide expert input for dispute resolution and arbitration

4. Coordination & Meetings

• Chair or participate in weekly progress meetings
• Coordinate with all project stakeholders (contractor, consultants, authorities)
• Conduct monthly programme review meetings
• Facilitate look-ahead planning sessions
• Coordinate with design team on RFI and shop drawing approvals impact
• Align planning with procurement and logistics schedules
• Interface with sales/marketing on handover timelines

5. Change Management

• Assess schedule impact of variations and change orders
• Evaluate contractor's time extension requests
• Review and approve/reject programme revisions
• Track cumulative impact of changes on project timeline
• Coordinate revised schedules with all stakeholders
• Update baseline programmes when contractually required

6. Resource & Logistics Planning

• Monitor contractor's resource deployment vs. programme
• Review manpower histograms and equipment schedules
• Identify resource constraints affecting progress
• Coordinate site logistics and access planning
• Plan tower crane usage and material hoisting schedules
• Coordinate phased handovers and occupation planning

7. Testing, Commissioning & Handover Planning

• Develop detailed T&C (Testing & Commissioning) schedules
• Plan authority inspection schedules (DM, DEWA, Civil Defense, etc.)
• Coordinate snagging and defects rectification timelines
• Plan phased handover schedules
• Coordinate move-in dates with end users
• Monitor defects liability period activities
• Track warranty commencement dates

8. Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare weekly progress reports with schedule analysis
• Create monthly comprehensive progress reports with:
• Progress S-curves (planned vs. actual)
• Milestone tracking
• Critical path analysis
• Delay analysis
• Forecasted completion dates
• Risk and opportunity register
• Develop executive dashboards and KPI scorecards
• Maintain programme records and archives
• Prepare As-Built schedules at project completion
• Document lessons learned for future projects

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field(mandatory)
• Master's degree in Project Management, Construction Management (preferred)
• Professional certifications:
• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) (highly preferred)
• PMP (Project Management Professional) (preferred)
• AACE Certified Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) (preferred)

Experience:

• Minimum 5-7 years in project planning and scheduling
• UAE construction/development experience (mandatory - minimum 3 years)
• Proven experience in BOTH pre-contract and post-contract planning
• Residential, commercial, or mixed-use development experience
• Experience with projects valued AED 100M+ (preferred)
• Developer-side or consultant experience (preferred over contractor-only)
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously

Technical Skills:

Mandatory:

• Expert proficiency in Primavera P6 (essential)
• Strong knowledge of MS Project
• Advanced MS Excel (data analysis, pivot tables, macros)
• MS PowerPoint (executive presentations)
• Understanding of Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Knowledge of delay analysis methodologies
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings
• Understanding of construction methods and sequences

Preferred:

• BIM 4D planning tools (Navisworks, Synchro)
• Power BI or Tableau (data visualization)
• Oracle Aconex or similar document management systems
• Risk analysis software (Primavera Risk Analysis, @Risk)
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Understanding of FIDIC, NEC, or JCT contract forms

Knowledge Requirements:

Essential:

• UAE construction standards and practices
• Dubai Municipality approval processes and timelines
• DEWA, Civil Defense, and other authority approval cycles
• Construction methodologies (traditional, fast-track, design-build)
• Resource planning and optimization
• Schedule risk management
• Delay analysis techniques (AACE recommended practices)

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Pre-Contract:

• Accuracy of tender programme evaluations
• Quality of schedule risk identification
• Timeliness of master schedule delivery
• Alignment of baseline programme with contract requirements

Post-Contract:

• Schedule forecast accuracy (±5% variance target)
• Timely submission of progress reports (100% on-time)
• Early identification of delays and risks
• Quality and detail of delay analysis reports
• Milestone achievement rate (target 90%+)
• Programme update quality (zero logic errors)
• Stakeholder satisfaction with reporting

Overall:

• Projects completed on or ahead of schedule
• Accurate EOT assessments (zero disputes)
• Effective communication rated by stakeholders
• Continuous improvement initiatives implemented

Working Conditions

• Working Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Office/Site Split: 70% office, 30% site visits
• Travel: Regular site visits across Dubai and UAE
• Work Environment: Office-based with planning software, dual monitors provided
• Overtime: May be required during critical project phases or reporting deadlines
• Flexibility: Occasional weekend work during project milestones (compensated)

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience (AED AED 12,000 - 22,000 + per month)
• Annual performance bonus
• Health insurance (employee + family)
• 30 days annual leave
• Annual flight ticket (employee + family)
• End of service benefits as per UAE Labor Law
• Professional development opportunities
• Visa sponsorship

Note: The above tasks and responsibilities are not exhaustive and may be subject to change based on the needs of the company and the evolution of the role.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From AED12,000.00 per month

Experience:

• developer side : 4 years (Required)
• Primavera P6: 1 year (Preferred)