Planning engineer

Location: Kent (4 days per week on site)

Contract: 12 Month

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Rate: £55 umbrella per hour

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Practitioner Planning Engineer to join a major programme within the UK nuclear sector. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a significant decommissioning and defueling project, supporting one of the UK's most complex and high-profile infrastructure environments.

As a key member of the Project Controls team, you will work closely with Project Managers and stakeholders to develop, maintain, and manage integrated project schedules. You will play a vital role in ensuring projects are delivered efficiently by incorporating risk, change, resource requirements, and cost considerations into robust project plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, control, monitor, analyse, and report on project schedules across a portfolio of projects.
• Establish and maintain cost-loaded and resource-loaded schedules with logical sequencing and clear project baselines.
• Capture project budgets, costs, and resource requirements to determine expenditure profiles and overall project budgets.
• Develop and maintain Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Project Control Structures aligned to project scope.
• Monitor and manage schedule performance, identifying and challenging variances against approved baselines.
• Lead and promote Earned Value Management (EVM) methodologies and best practices.
• Ensure project plans accurately reflect the full scope of work and remain achievable and fit for purpose.
• Collaborate closely with Project Controls and commercial teams to maintain alignment between project plans and financial forecasts.
• Support project reporting and performance analysis, providing insights and recommendations to stakeholders.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience using Primavera P6.
• Demonstrable experience developing and managing cost-loaded and resource-loaded project schedules.
• Strong understanding and practical application of Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Excellent analytical, planning, and numerical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with project teams and senior stakeholders.
• Experience working within complex project environments.

Desirable Requirements

• Understanding of estimating, scheduling, programming, and risk management tools and techniques.
• Previous experience in Project Controls and/or Project Delivery within highly regulated industries such as nuclear, energy, defence, rail, or infrastructure.
• HNC/HND, degree qualification, or equivalent experience in a project controls, engineering, construction, or cost-related discipline.