Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Engineering Planner

💰 $75,000 - $115,000

EngineeringProject ManagementPlanningManufacturingConstruction

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a master of organization with a passion for bringing complex engineering projects to life? We're looking for a highly analytical and forward-thinking Engineering Planner to be the backbone of our project execution team. In this critical role, you will be the architect of our project timelines, responsible for creating, monitoring, and maintaining detailed schedules that guide our teams from concept to completion. You'll collaborate closely with project managers, engineers, and supply chain experts to ensure resources are allocated effectively, risks are mitigated proactively, and every milestone is met on time and within budget. If you thrive on turning ambitious plans into tangible results and want to make a significant impact on high-stakes projects, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Project Coordinator
  • Junior Planner / Scheduler
  • Field Engineer
  • Engineering Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Engineering Planner
  • Project Controls Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Planning Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Cost Engineer
  • Risk Analyst
  • Contracts Administrator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, maintain, and manage integrated master schedules (IMS) for complex, multi-disciplinary engineering projects using advanced planning software like Primavera P6 and MS Project.
  • Create detailed, resource-loaded project plans and schedules, defining project tasks, durations, dependencies, and critical paths from initiation through to closeout.
  • Proactively monitor project progress against the established baseline, performing variance analysis on schedule and cost performance to identify potential delays or overruns.
  • Collaborate with project managers and department leads to conduct resource planning and forecasting, ensuring optimal allocation of labor, equipment, and materials.
  • Facilitate regular schedule review meetings with key stakeholders to communicate progress, address challenges, and align on forward-looking plans.
  • Implement and manage Earned Value Management (EVM) systems to provide a comprehensive view of project health, including metrics like SPI (Schedule Performance Index) and CPI (Cost Performance Index).
  • Identify, analyze, and model potential schedule risks and opportunities, developing mitigation strategies and "what-if" scenarios to support strategic decision-making.
  • Generate and distribute detailed project status reports, dashboards, Gantt charts, and other planning documentation for various audiences, from the project team to senior leadership.
  • Interface directly with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to ensure that the schedule reflects the real-world execution strategy and to resolve any planning conflicts.
  • Manage the schedule change control process, ensuring that any modifications to the project baseline are properly documented, assessed for impact, and approved.
  • Analyze contractor and subcontractor schedules to ensure they are realistic, robust, and fully integrated with the overall master project schedule.
  • Perform detailed schedule analysis, including critical path analysis, float management, and resource leveling, to optimize project timelines and efficiency.
  • Develop and maintain Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) in collaboration with project teams to ensure all project scope is captured and organized logically.
  • Provide expert scheduling and planning support during the project bidding and proposal phase, helping to create competitive and realistic project execution plans.
  • Drive the integration of cost and schedule data to ensure a holistic approach to project controls and reporting.

Secondary Functions

  • Mentor and provide guidance to junior planners, schedulers, and project coordinators to build organizational planning capabilities.
  • Support the continuous improvement of project planning processes, procedures, and tools within the organization.
  • Assist in post-project reviews and the development of lessons-learned documentation to inform future project planning.
  • Participate in project risk workshops to ensure that schedule-related risks are properly identified, quantified, and addressed.
  • Support contract administration by providing accurate schedule data, progress validation, and analysis for claims or extension of time requests.
  • Liaise with the finance department to ensure alignment between the project schedule, cash flow projections, and overall budget management.
  • Prepare ad-hoc schedule analyses and reports as requested by project management and executive leadership.
  • Contribute to the standardization of planning and scheduling methodologies across the company's portfolio of projects.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Proficiency in Planning Software: Expert-level knowledge of Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project is essential.
  • Critical Path Method (CPM): Deep understanding and practical application of CPM for scheduling, analysis, and reporting.
  • Earned Value Management (EVM): Proven ability to implement and interpret EVM data to measure project performance.
  • Resource and Cost Loading: Experience in developing and managing resource-loaded and cost-loaded schedules.
  • Risk Analysis Software: Familiarity with schedule risk analysis tools such as Primavera Risk Analysis (formerly Pertmaster) or @Risk.
  • ERP Systems Knowledge: Experience with enterprise resource planning systems like SAP or Oracle, particularly in project systems or plant maintenance modules.
  • Advanced Excel Skills: Ability to perform complex data analysis, create pivot tables, and develop dashboards.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: Exceptional ability to dissect complex problems, analyze data from multiple sources, and develop logical solutions.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scheduling information clearly to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and highly organized, with a focus on accuracy and precision in all planning and reporting activities.
  • Proactive & Forward-Looking: An ability to anticipate future challenges and opportunities rather than just reacting to past events.
  • Influence and Negotiation: Strong interpersonal skills to influence stakeholders and negotiate timelines and resources effectively without formal authority.
  • Resilience Under Pressure: The capacity to remain calm, focused, and effective when facing tight deadlines, unexpected changes, and high-stakes project environments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience in a project controls environment.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline. Professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional) are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial)
  • Construction Management
  • Project Management
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of dedicated experience in a project planning, scheduling, or project controls role, preferably within an engineering or technical environment.

Preferred:

5+ years of hands-on planning experience on large-scale capital projects in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, construction, aerospace, or infrastructure.

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