Senior Planning Engineer

About Decima International

Decima International is a leading professional services firm specializing in project management, planning, and advisory services for complex, large-scale developments. We partner with some of the world's most prominent organizations—particularly in the technology and infrastructure sectors—to deliver high-impact projects with precision and excellence. Our team thrives on innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to driving results in fast-paced, high-performance environments.

If you are seeking a long-term, rewarding career working with high-profile clients on some of the most challenging and cutting-edge projects globally, Decima International is where you belong. We offer exceptional opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and career advancement.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly driven and capable Senior Planning Engineer to support the delivery of multiple datacenter projects for one of the world's leading technology clients.

This is a client-facing role requiring strong technical expertise, communication skills, and the ability to manage complex planning and scheduling functions across multiple projects.

Location: Onsite in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, engaging with both technical and senior management stakeholders
• Prepare and deliver high-quality presentations to communicate project progress, insights, and recommendations
• Review project plans, specifications, and requirements to ensure alignment with objectives
• Develop and manage Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), CPM baseline schedules, and Integrated Master Schedules (IMS)
• Perform resource and cost loading within schedules
• Conduct resource analysis to identify constraints, bottlenecks, and optimization opportunities
• Maintain and update weekly and monthly schedules and reporting outputs
• Review and validate schedules from contractors, consultants, and vendors to ensure feasibility and compliance
• Analyze and report schedule changes, delays, and accelerations
• Develop and implement Earned Value Management (EVM) systems to track performance and progress
• Identify risks at program and project levels and propose mitigation strategies
• Perform delay analysis and scenario ("what-if") modeling
• Act as a key communication interface between the client and project stakeholders
• Support additional planning and project-related tasks as required

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in construction planning and scheduling
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies and scheduling best practices
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 (including resource and cost loading, tracking, and reporting)
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Project
• Experience producing a variety of reports (critical path, resource histograms, forecasts, etc.)
• Proven experience in client-facing roles
• Ability to interpret complex construction programs and communicate effectively across all levels
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

Nice to Have

• Master's degree in Construction Management or related field
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI
• Datacenter or large-scale vertical construction experience (e.g., hospitals, hotels, mixed-use developments)
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Professional certifications such as PSP or PMI-SP
• Active membership in PMI, AACEi, or similar professional organizations

Position Details

• Title: Senior Planning Engineer
• Location: Onsite – Dubai, UAE
• Employment Type: Full-time

Tools & Technologies

• Primavera P6
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Microsoft 365