Planning Engineer

Job Title: Planning Engineer (Saudi)

Project: 132 kV Underground Cable EPC Project (26 km, Single Circuit, 6 SS involved)

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Client: Saudi Electricity Company (SEC)

Contract Type: EPC / LSTK

Job Purpose

The Planning Engineer will be responsible for developing, monitoring, and controlling the project schedule for the 132 kV underground cable EPC project, ensuring alignment with SEC standards, contractual milestones, and overall project objectives. The role requires close coordination with engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Planning & Scheduling

• Develop detailed Level 3 & Level 4 schedules using Primavera P6 in line with EPC requirements.

• Establish project WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) covering engineering, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning phases.

• Define activity logic, durations, resource loading, and critical path analysis.

• Prepare and maintain baseline schedule in compliance with SEC requirements.

2. Progress Monitoring & Control

• Monitor project progress against the approved baseline schedule.

• Update schedules on a weekly and monthly basis.

• Identify critical and near-critical activities and propose mitigation/recovery plans.

• Perform delay analysis and evaluate schedule impacts.

3. Reporting

• Prepare and submit:

  • Weekly Progress Reports

  • Monthly Progress Reports (MPR)

  • Look-ahead schedules (2-week / 4-week)

• Present S-curves, KPI dashboards, and earned value analysis (EVA).

• Highlight key risks, delays, and recovery actions to project management and SEC.

4. Coordination

• Coordinate with:

  • Engineering teams for design deliverables

  • Procurement teams for material delivery tracking (cables, joints, accessories)

  • Construction teams for site progress (trenching, HDD, cable laying, jointing)

  • QA/QC and commissioning teams for testing schedules

• Interface with SEC representatives for schedule review and approvals.

5. Claims & Change Management

• Support preparation of Extension of Time (EOT) claims.

• Analyze variation orders and their impact on project schedule.

• Maintain proper documentation for contractual correspondence.

6. Risk Management

• Identify scheduling risks related to:

  • Right-of-way (ROW) approvals

  • Utility conflicts and relocations

  • HDD crossings and permits

  • Material procurement delays

• Develop mitigation and contingency plans.

Project-Specific Experience (Preferred)

• Experience in 132 kV / 115 kV / 380 kV underground cable projects.

• Familiarity with:

  • Trenching, backfilling, and asphalt reinstatement

  • Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)

  • Cable laying, jointing, and termination

• Experience working on SEC projects or similar utility standards in Saudi Arabia.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical / Civil).

• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in planning for EPC infrastructure or power projects.

• Strong proficiency in:

  • Primavera P6 (mandatory)

  • MS Excel and reporting tools

• PMP certification is an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent communication and reporting abilities

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

• Strong understanding of EPC project lifecycle

• Knowledge of SEC standards and procedures is highly preferred

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Schedule adherence and variance

• Timely submission of reports

• Accuracy of forecasting

• Effectiveness of recovery plans

• Compliance with SEC reporting standards