Senior Planning Engineer

We are looking for a highly qualified, experienced, and results-driven Senior Planning Engineer – Data Center Projects to join our construction team in Dubai, UAE.

The successful candidate must have a minimum of 20 years of professional experience in construction project planning, scheduling, monitoring, and project controls , with proven experience in the successful execution of large-scale Data Center construction projects in the UAE.

The candidate must possess extensive technical knowledge of Data Center construction, including Civil, Structural, Architectural, MEP, Electrical Infrastructure, Mechanical Cooling Systems, Testing & Commissioning, and Project Handover.

The position requires a professional capable of independently developing and managing complex project schedules, monitoring construction progress, identifying project delays, implementing recovery plans, and coordinating with clients, consultants, contractors, and multidisciplinary project teams.

Only candidates with proven Data Center construction project experience and extensive UAE construction experience will be shortlisted.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES1. Project Planning & Scheduling

• Develop, manage, and maintain comprehensive project master schedules using Primavera P6.
• Prepare detailed baseline programmes, revised schedules, recovery programmes, and acceleration schedules.
• Develop Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 project schedules according to project requirements.
• Establish Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), activity sequencing, milestones, and critical path activities.
• Prepare integrated Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Testing & Commissioning (EPCT) schedules.
• Ensure project schedules comply with contract requirements, project specifications, and approved milestones.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and 3-week/6-week look-ahead schedules.
• Monitor the progress of critical and near-critical activities.
• Coordinate schedule updates with site execution teams and subcontractors.

1. Data Center Construction Planning

• Lead planning activities for large-scale Data Center construction projects.
• Develop integrated construction schedules covering Civil, Structural, Architectural, MEP, and specialist Data Center systems.
• Plan and monitor critical electrical infrastructure, including HV/LV systems, substations, transformers, generators, UPS systems, switchgear, and power distribution.
• Coordinate planning for mechanical infrastructure, including chillers, CRAH/CRAC units, cooling systems, HVAC, chilled water networks, and associated equipment.
• Plan the installation and integration of fire protection, fire alarm, BMS, EPMS, ELV, and ICT infrastructure.
• Coordinate the sequencing of specialist equipment delivery, installation, inspection, testing, and commissioning.
• Develop detailed schedules for Data Center technical rooms, server halls, electrical rooms, plant rooms, and supporting infrastructure.
• Monitor interfaces between construction, MEP installation, specialist vendors, and commissioning teams.
• Ensure construction and commissioning schedules support phased handover and project completion requirements.

1. Project Monitoring & Progress Control

• Monitor actual construction progress against approved baseline programmes.
• Identify schedule deviations, delays, and potential impacts on project completion.
• Prepare detailed daily, weekly, and monthly progress monitoring reports.
• Develop and maintain progress S-curves, manpower histograms, productivity reports, and project dashboards.
• Monitor engineering submissions, material approvals, procurement, delivery, installation, and construction progress.
• Evaluate subcontractor performance and progress against approved programmes.
• Track project milestones and prepare management reports highlighting critical issues.
• Forecast project completion dates based on actual progress and remaining activities.
• Recommend corrective actions to improve project performance and avoid delays.

1. Critical Path Analysis & Delay Management

• Perform Critical Path Method (CPM) analysis using Primavera P6.
• Identify critical and near-critical activities affecting project completion.
• Analyze delays caused by engineering, procurement, construction, subcontractors, or external factors.
• Prepare recovery schedules and mitigation strategies for delayed works.
• Conduct schedule impact assessments for design changes, variations, and project modifications.
• Support the preparation and assessment of Extension of Time (EOT) claims.
• Prepare delay analysis reports with supporting schedules and project documentation.
• Coordinate with project management and commercial teams on contractual planning matters.

1. Resource Planning & Productivity Management

• Develop resource-loaded schedules covering manpower, equipment, and major construction materials.
• Prepare manpower mobilization and demobilization plans.
• Monitor resource allocation and construction productivity.
• Identify resource shortages and recommend corrective measures.
• Coordinate with construction managers to ensure manpower and equipment availability.
• Support cost-loaded schedules, cash flow forecasts, and earned value reporting where required.
• Evaluate planned versus actual productivity and resource utilization.

1. Engineering & Procurement Coordination

• Coordinate with engineering teams to monitor design development, shop drawings, technical submissions, and approvals.
• Prepare and monitor engineering deliverable schedules.
• Develop procurement schedules for long-lead Data Center equipment and materials.
• Track critical equipment procurement, manufacturing, factory acceptance testing (FAT), delivery, and installation.
• Identify procurement delays that may affect construction and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate with suppliers, subcontractors, procurement teams, and project management to maintain project schedules.

1. Testing, Commissioning & Handover Planning

• Develop integrated testing and commissioning schedules for Data Center projects.
• Coordinate with MEP, specialist contractors, equipment suppliers, and commissioning teams.
• Plan and monitor pre-commissioning, functional testing, integrated systems testing (IST), and final commissioning activities.
• Track commissioning prerequisites, system readiness, inspection requirements, and equipment availability.
• Monitor completion of testing, snagging, documentation, and handover activities.
• Coordinate phased handover schedules and project closeout milestones.
• Ensure commissioning activities are properly integrated into the overall project master programme.

1. Client, Consultant & Management Coordination

• Attend project planning and progress review meetings with clients, consultants, and project management teams.
• Present schedule performance, project risks, and recovery strategies to senior management.
• Coordinate with project managers, construction managers, engineering teams, procurement departments, and subcontractors.
• Review subcontractor schedules and ensure alignment with the master programme.
• Prepare professional planning reports, presentations, and progress dashboards.
• Provide management with accurate schedule forecasts and early warnings of potential delays.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 20 years of overall professional experience in construction planning and project controls.
• Extensive experience working on major construction projects in the UAE.
• Proven planning and scheduling experience on Data Center construction projects in the UAE.
• Strong experience in complex, fast-track, multidisciplinary construction projects.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, including schedule development, updates, resource loading, critical path analysis, and recovery programmes.
• Excellent understanding of Data Center construction methodology, MEP systems, project sequencing, and commissioning requirements.
• Strong knowledge of project planning, monitoring, reporting, and delay analysis.
• Experience preparing EOT documentation, schedule impact analysis, and recovery programmes.
• Ability to independently manage planning activities for complex projects.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Strong analytical, leadership, problem-solving, and stakeholder coordination abilities.

TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIRED

• Primavera P6 – Advanced Level
• Microsoft Project
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Project Baseline & Recovery Scheduling
• Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Resource Loading & Resource Leveling
• Progress Monitoring & S-Curve Reporting
• Delay Analysis & EOT Claims
• Engineering & Procurement Scheduling
• Data Center MEP Coordination
• Testing & Commissioning Planning
• Project Risk & Schedule Impact Analysis
• Project Controls & Performance Reporting
• Power BI Reporting – Advantageous

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Experience on hyperscale, enterprise, or mission-critical Data Center construction projects.
• Experience managing planning activities from project mobilization through commissioning and final handover.
• Knowledge of Data Center Tier requirements and critical infrastructure systems.
• Experience working with major UAE construction contractors, Data Center developers, or international consultants.
• Experience with FIDIC contracts, forensic delay analysis, and contractual project controls.
• Experience coordinating multiple subcontractors and specialist Data Center equipment suppliers.

MANDATORY SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates must satisfy all the following requirements:

• Minimum 20 years of construction planning and project controls experience.
• Previous Data Center construction project experience in the UAE.
• Extensive UAE construction industry experience.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6.
• Strong knowledge of Civil, MEP, electrical infrastructure, and commissioning schedules.
• Proven experience in baseline scheduling, progress monitoring, delay analysis, and recovery planning.
• Ability to independently lead project planning and coordinate with senior project management.

Important: Applicants without relevant Data Center construction project experience will not be considered for this position.

Pay: AED25,000.00 - AED35,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person