Planning Engineer – Construction Projects in Dubai

About the role

We are looking for a Planning Engineer to support the preparation, monitoring and updating of construction programmes on projects for a leading main contractor in Dubai. Reporting to the Head of Planning, you will help ensure projects stay aligned with timelines, contract requirements and company objectives. The role involves tracking site progress, identifying delays, preparing reports and maintaining planning documentation, while working closely with construction, commercial, procurement and HSE teams as well as clients, consultants and subcontractors. This is a site‑based role, so a valid UAE driving licence is essential.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in preparing baseline programmes using Primavera P6 / MS Project, including activity lists, WBS, sequencing and durations.
• Ensure programmes comply with project milestones and contractual timelines.
• Incorporate HSE requirements into schedules and ensure safe sequencing of activities with site teams.
• Support tender programmes, review scope and sequencing with the estimation team, and identify planning risks at tender stage.
• Update project programmes weekly/monthly, track site progress against the baseline and highlight delays and critical activities.
• Support corrective‑action planning to bring projects back on track.
• Prepare progress reports, S‑curves, histograms, status updates and management presentations.
• Maintain delay records and support Extension of Time (EOT) and claims documentation with the commercial team.
• Liaise with construction, procurement and engineering teams, integrate subcontractor programmes and attend progress meetings.
• Support manpower and equipment planning, track resource utilisation and flag shortages or inefficiencies.
• Maintain planning data, registers, logs, templates and digital dashboards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned and supporting standardised planning procedures.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• 3–6 years of planning experience within the construction industry.
• Experience on main‑contractor projects in the UAE/GCC is preferred.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6 and/or MS Project, plus Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Solid understanding of construction sequences, methodologies and planning principles.
• Good analytical and reporting skills with effective communication and coordination ability.
• Ability to work under supervision and meet deadlines.
• Valid UAE driving licence.
• PMP, AACE, CIOB or equivalent certification, or formal Primavera/planning training, is advantageous.
• Understanding of delay analysis, basic commercial awareness and exposure to BIM‑based planning (Navisworks, Synchro) are a plus.
• Experience on building, infrastructure, mixed‑use, large‑scale or fast‑track projects is desirable.
• Familiarity with ERP and document‑management systems such as Aconex is beneficial.

Required skills

• Primavera P6
• MS Project
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Navisworks
• Synchro
• Aconex