Senior Planning Engineer

Requisition ID: 30849

DAR Engineering, a leading design & engineering consulting organization in Saudi Arabia engaged in Power Generation, Electrical Transmission & Distribution, Health Care & High Rise Buildings

Position Overview:

Department: Planning & Project Controls (PMO)

Reports To: Planning Manager

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Employment Type: Full Time

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Application Deadline: 20 November 2026

Role Purpose:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Planning Engineer to lead the planning and scheduling of design projects at DAR Engineering in Riyadh. The role is responsible for developing and maintaining integrated design programmes, tracking progress across design disciplines, and giving project and PMO leadership the early visibility needed to deliver design on time.

The successful candidate will combine a design engineering background with strong planning expertise, understanding how design deliverables, disciplines and client reviews interact, and turning that understanding into realistic, well-controlled schedules.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, baseline and maintain integrated design schedules for engineering and design projects, covering all disciplines from concept through detailed design and tender documentation.
• Break down design scope into work packages, deliverables and milestones, and link them to a clear work breakdown structure.
• Plan and forecast resource and man-hour requirements with discipline leads, and track resource loading against the programme.
• Monitor actual progress against the baseline, analyze variances and the critical path, and recommend recovery actions for delays.
• Coordinate with project managers, design discipline leads, sub-consultants and clients to collect progress inputs and align interdependencies, including review and approval periods.
• Assess the schedule impact of design changes, client instructions and scope variations, and support the preparation of related time-impact records.
• Prepare weekly and monthly progress reports, dashboards and presentations for project teams, management and clients.
• Provide early warning of schedule risks and delays to project managers and the PMO.
• Support the PMO in standardizing planning procedures, templates and reporting across engineering and design projects, and contribute to portfolio-level reporting.
• Maintain the integrity of schedule data, including baselines, updates and archived versions.
• Mentor junior planners and share good planning practice across the team.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement of planning and scheduling processes.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, preferably in a design discipline (for example architecture, civil, structural or MEP), from a recognized university.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PMI-SP or Primavera P6 certification will be an advantage.

Experience Requirements:

• Preferably 10+ years of experience handling scheduling and planning activities of design projects within design consulting firms, or PMO experience in handling engineering and design projects.
• A design engineering background, with practical understanding of design stages, deliverables and the interdependencies between design disciplines.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining integrated schedules across multiple design disciplines on several concurrent projects.
• Experience in progress measurement, reporting and variance analysis, and in working with clients and multidisciplinary design teams.

Technical Knowledge:

• Strong working knowledge of Oracle Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project.
• Sound knowledge of planning techniques, including critical path method, work breakdown structures, resource levelling and progress measurement.
• Understanding of design workflows, deliverable registers and client review and approval cycles.
• Proficiency in Excel and reporting or dashboard tools such as Power BI is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate and influence multiple discipline teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage several projects and priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proactive, with a habit of anticipating risks and flagging them early.
• Collaborative team player, willing to mentor and support junior colleagues.

Working Hours:

We support a healthy work-life balance through flexible working hours, allowing employees some flexibility in their daily start and finish times, while maintaining a structured working schedule of up to 48 hours per week.

What We Offer:

• The chance to drive growth on landmark projects across Saudi Arabia and the GCC.
• A collaborative, supportive environment within a leading multidisciplinary consultancy.
• Competitive salary and benefits, including housing and transportation.
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage and wellness support.
• A team that genuinely encourages each other to succeed.
• A diverse, inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds come together under one shared vision.
• A culture that celebrates success, values innovation, and builds something bigger together.

We believe great work happens as a team. We want people to come in with purpose and leave each day with a sense of accomplishment.

To Apply:

If you believe you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to fulfil this role, please submit your application online by clicking 'Apply'.

Riyadh-based candidates preferred, but relocation support is available for the right talent.

DAR Engineering is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, age, marital status, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

What's Next?

Once your application has been submitted and reviewed, our Talent Acquisition team will contact shortlisted candidates.

Our selection process typically comprises two interview stages per vacancy, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation while providing candidates with the opportunity to engage with two members of the hiring team at each stage. The initial interview is generally conducted virtually, while the final stage often takes place in person at the office, aligning with the role's location.

That said, we prioritize flexibility, tailoring our approach to accommodate the specific needs of both the position and the candidate.

Thank you for considering a career with us. We encourage you to regularly check for updates and explore future opportunities with DAR Engineering. Best of luck!