Planning Engineer

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Planning Engineer specializing in pumps and rotating equipment to join our dynamic team in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. This role is pivotal in ensuring the successful execution of pump manufacturing, repair, overhaul, and service projects by developing, monitoring, and optimizing project schedules. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with project managers, workshop teams, procurement, engineering, and quality departments to deliver projects on time while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

The Planning Engineer will play a central role in project execution by performing the following duties and responsibilities:

• Schedule Development and Maintenance: Prepare, update, and maintain comprehensive project schedules for pump repair, manufacturing, testing, and site service activities using industry-leading tools such as Primavera P6, MS Project, or equivalent software.
• Work Plan and Timeline Management: Develop detailed work plans, timelines, and progress tracking reports to ensure alignment with project objectives and customer requirements.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Act as a liaison between project managers, workshop teams, procurement, engineering, quality assurance, and service teams to facilitate seamless project execution and resolve scheduling conflicts.
• Progress Monitoring and Reporting: Continuously track project progress against approved schedules, identify potential delays, assess risks, and recommend corrective actions to mitigate impacts. Generate daily, weekly, and monthly progress reports, including look-ahead schedules and project status updates for stakeholders.
• Milestone Tracking: Monitor critical project milestones, including material availability, machining, assembly, inspection, testing, packing, and delivery, ensuring adherence to contractual and operational deadlines.
• Resource Planning and Optimization: Support the allocation and optimization of resources, including manpower, materials, equipment, and subcontracted services, to enhance project efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Change Management: Assess the impact of scope changes, material delays, customer requirements, or technical challenges on project schedules and propose adaptive planning strategies to maintain project integrity.
• Documentation and Compliance: Maintain accurate and up-to-date project records, planning documents, and schedule updates in compliance with company quality, safety, and operational procedures. Ensure all documentation is readily available for internal and customer reporting.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Participate in project review meetings, providing strategic planning insights to support informed decision-making and ensure alignment with project goals.

Qualifications and Experience

To excel in this role, candidates must meet the following educational and professional requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Nationality: Must be a Saudi citizen.
• Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in project planning, with a preference for candidates with 3+ years of experience in pump manufacturing, repair, overhaul, or service environments, particularly within the oil and gas, petrochemical, power, or industrial sectors.
• Technical Knowledge: Solid understanding of pump components, repair processes, workshop activities, and project execution stages. Familiarity with API pumps, centrifugal pumps, mechanical seals, motors, and related rotating equipment is highly desirable.
• Planning Tools Proficiency: Hands-on experience with project planning and scheduling tools such as Primavera P6, MS Project, and Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting.

Required Skills and Competencies

Candidates should demonstrate the following competencies to succeed in this role:

• Technical and Analytical Skills: Strong ability to develop, analyze, and interpret project schedules, work breakdown structures, and milestone tracking to ensure project success.
• Communication and Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in Arabic is considered an advantage.
• Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Proven ability to identify scheduling challenges, assess risks, and implement proactive solutions under pressure while managing multiple priorities.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy in reporting, documentation, and schedule updates to maintain project integrity and compliance.
• Organizational and Time Management: Demonstrated capability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work in fast-paced environments.

Preferred Experience

While not mandatory, the following experiences will be advantageous for candidates:

• Direct involvement in pump repair, overhaul, manufacturing, or aftermarket service projects.
• Exposure to project controls, cost tracking, and delay analysis methodologies.
• Experience working with oil and gas, petrochemical, power, or industrial customers.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Success in this role will be measured by the following performance indicators:

• Timely and accurate preparation and updating of project schedules.
• Consistent and on-time submission of progress reports to stakeholders.
• Proactive identification and communication of project delays or risks to enable timely corrective actions.
• Effective coordination and collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Contribution to achieving project delivery targets and fulfilling customer commitments.