Senior Planning Engineer

Location
Riyadh, All SA Regions, Saudi Arabia

Capabilities
Planning and Consulting

Office Setup
Office/Onsite

Job ID
#42139
Industry
Cities & Places

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Senior Planning Engineer to support the planning, scheduling, monitoring, and reporting activities for large-scale Data Centre construction projects. The successful candidate will play a critical role in developing and maintaining integrated project schedules, monitoring project progress, identifying schedule risks, and supporting project teams in achieving key delivery milestones. Working closely with Project Managers, Construction Managers, Project Controls teams, consultants, contractors, and client representatives, the Senior Planning Engineer will provide accurate schedule analysis and performance reporting to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within approved budgets.

Key Responsibilities:
Project Planning and Scheduling

Develop, update, and maintain detailed project schedules covering all phases of Data Centre delivery, including design, procurement, construction, commissioning, testing, and handover. The role is responsible for establishing schedule baselines, defining work breakdown structures (WBS), developing logic-linked programmes, and ensuring schedules accurately reflect project execution strategies. The successful candidate will perform critical path analysis, identify schedule constraints, and recommend mitigation measures to ensure project milestones and completion dates are achieved.

Progress Monitoring and Schedule Control

Monitor project progress against approved schedules, validate progress updates from contractors and subcontractors, and analyze schedule performance trends. The role will track critical activities, identify delays and potential impacts, assess recovery opportunities, and support the implementation of corrective action plans. Regular schedule reviews and performance assessments will be conducted to ensure project teams maintain alignment with programme objectives and contractual commitments.

Data Centre Construction Planning

Planning and monitoring of mission-critical Data Centre construction activities, including civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and commissioning works. The role will closely monitor critical procurement and installation activities associated with long-lead equipment such as generators, UPS systems, transformers, switchgear, chillers, cooling systems, busway systems, and other essential infrastructure. Particular focus will be placed on tracking energization milestones, integrated systems testing (IST), commissioning activities, and operational readiness requirements to support successful project delivery.

Schedule Analysis and Reporting

Prepare and maintain project planning reports, schedule narratives, executive summaries, milestone reports, and management dashboards. The role is responsible for conducting schedule variance analysis, critical path assessments, look-ahead planning, and earned progress evaluations while providing clear and accurate reporting to project management and client stakeholders. The successful candidate will communicate schedule issues, risks, and recovery recommendations to support effective decision-making.

Risk and Change Impact Assessment

Risk and change management processes by evaluating the impact of design changes, procurement delays, construction challenges, and client-driven modifications on project schedules. The role will assist in developing mitigation and recovery strategies, perform what-if scenario analyses, and ensure approved changes are accurately reflected within project schedules. The position will contribute to risk workshops and support proactive planning initiatives to minimize schedule disruptions.

Stakeholder Coordination

Work closely with project managers, construction teams, design consultants, subcontractors, commercial teams, commissioning specialists, and client representatives to ensure effective communication and coordination of project schedules. The role will participate in planning meetings, progress reviews, and project coordination sessions while ensuring all stakeholders remain informed of schedule performance, critical milestones, and potential risks affecting project delivery.

Here's what you'll need

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline and possess a minimum of 12–15 years of planning and scheduling experience within large-scale construction projects. A minimum of 3–5 years of experience on Data Centre, mission-critical, industrial, or complex infrastructure projects is highly preferred.

Strong knowledge of Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling, progress measurement, schedule analysis, change management, and project reporting is essential.

Technical Skills

Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 is required, along with strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project, Primavera Cloud, Power BI, Excel, and other project controls and reporting tools.

Experience developing resource-loaded schedules, conducting schedule risk analysis, preparing delay analyses, and supporting commissioning schedules within Data Centre environments will be highly advantageous.

#LI-RB1

From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions – we’re committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally - and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities to do good too – from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

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