Senior Planning Engineer ( Fitout)

JOB DESCRIPTION Senior Planning Engineer (Fit-Out Contracting) Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Experience Level: 10 to 15 years (with substantial UAE/GCC main contractor or interior fit-out contractor exposure) Department: Project Controls / Planning & Scheduling Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site Job Purpose The Senior Planning Engineer will lead the master planning, progress tracking, scheduling, and project controls function for high-value interior fit-out and main contracting projects in Dubai. The role ensures that all commercial, retail, hospitality, luxury residential, or corporate office fit-out projects are delivered on time, within contractual baselines, and in alignment with client and consultant requirements. Key Responsibilities Baseline & Schedule Development: Develop, update, and maintain comprehensive master construction and interior fit-out schedules using Primavera P6 and MS Project. Prepare tender programs, look-ahead schedules, and recovery programs for delayed or fast-track projects. Progress Monitoring & Control: Track daily and weekly site progress against the baseline schedule; identify critical path activities and potential bottlenecks. Monitor procurement cycles, long-lead interior materials, bespoke joinery, MEP coordination, and site execution. Resource & Cost Optimization: Plan and track labor manpower, plant/equipment deployment, and subcontractor progress curves. Integrate schedule data with cost tracking and earned value management (EVM). Claims, EOT & Delay Analysis: Perform forensic schedule delay analysis (e.g., Time Impact Analysis) and assist in the preparation and substantiation of Extension of Time (EOT) claims and variations. Reporting & Stakeholder Coordination: Prepare and present weekly and monthly executive progress reports to Project Managers, Directors, and Clients. Liaise closely with Site Engineers, Quantity Surveyors (QS), Procurement teams, and Consultants to resolve design or site clashes. Required Qualifications & Experience Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related discipline. Experience Requirements: 10 to 15 years of total professional experience in planning, scheduling, and project controls. Regional Experience: Minimum of 5–8 years specifically working with a Main Contractor or Turnkey Interior Fit-Out Contractor in the UAE/GCC market. Project Portfolio: Proven track record on commercial, luxury hospitality, retail, F&B, or high-end office fit-out projects. Technical Software Skills: Advanced proficiency in Oracle Primavera P6 (mandatory). Strong competency in MS Project, MS Excel, and dashboard/reporting tools like Power BI (advantageous). Regulatory & Contractual Knowledge: In-depth understanding of UAE construction laws, local authority approvals (Dubai Municipality, DCD, Trakhees, etc.), and standard contract forms (FIDIC). Demonstrated hands-on experience in EOT claims and delay analysis methodologies. Certifications: PMP or PMI-SP certification is an added advantage. Key Competencies Strong analytical, numerical, and critical-path problem-solving skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for client-facing meetings and contractual correspondence. Ability to multitask across multiple active fit-out sites in Dubai. Show more Show less