Planning Engineer Recruitment

The Planning Engineer creates and manages construction programmes, conducting critical path analysis and delay analysis to keep complex projects on track. This is a distinct, specialist role within construction, focused on programme scheduling and earned value analysis rather than town planning or development consent. Planning Engineers are most in demand on large infrastructure projects, where programme management is central to contract performance and claim resolution. We recruit Planning Engineers for main contractors, infrastructure programme managers, and specialist planning consultancies across the UK, with salaries from £32,000 at entry level and £80,000 and beyond for senior planners on major programmes.

What the role involves

Developing and maintaining detailed construction programmes using Primavera P6 or Asta Powerproject, reflecting all works and interfaces including design information release, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities
Identifying and analysing the critical path and programme float, communicating risk areas to project management and proposing mitigation measures to recover programme where delays are forecast
Producing baseline programmes, target programmes, and as-built records throughout the project lifecycle, maintaining the version-controlled programme history required for EoT and delay claim support
Preparing delay analyses and extension of time (EoT) claims using recognised delay analysis methodologies
Reporting programme status, four-week lookahead schedules, and period progress reports to project and client teams
Integrating subcontractor and design programmes into the master programme to maintain a single source of programme truth

Who employers are looking for

A degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline is the standard academic background for Planning Engineers entering via the graduate route. Primavera P6 is the essential tool for infrastructure and major project planning roles; Asta Powerproject is the more common software in building construction. Both are specific skills that employers test at interview, so demonstrable hands-on software experience is required.

At mid-career level, employers expect working knowledge of delay analysis methodologies, including time impact analysis (TIA), impacted as-planned, and as-planned versus as-built analysis. This is particularly important on infrastructure frameworks and NEC contracts where EoT management is a core commercial activity. APM or CIOB membership is relevant for senior planning roles. Senior planning engineers and planning managers on nuclear, rail, and highways programmes earn significantly above the standard range, with contract rates for experienced infrastructure planners reaching £350 - £600 per day.

Planning Engineers working exclusively within main contracting on building projects typically have strong Asta Powerproject skills and experience in short-interval scheduling and four-week lookahead production. Those moving into infrastructure must usually demonstrate Primavera P6 competence and familiarity with the NEC compensation event process, since EoT assessment and programme recovery are central to contract management on framework agreements. Senior Planning Engineers who can act as expert witness or support commercial claims through delay narrative and programme evidence are a distinct subset of the market, and these individuals command rates well above the standard range. There is a persistent structural shortage of experienced planning engineers at mid-senior level across the UK, particularly on nuclear, rail, and water infrastructure programmes.

Salary benchmarks

Graduate / entry-level £32,000 - £40,000

Mid-career (3 - 8 years) £42,000 - £58,000

Senior / management £60,000 - £80,000+

Infrastructure planning engineers working on rail, highways, and nuclear projects earn above building sector equivalents. Senior planning engineers and planning managers on major infrastructure programmes can reach £85,000 - £100,000. Contract planning engineers and managers earn £350 - £600 per day.

Industries that hire Planning Engineers

Infrastructure: major highways, rail, and utilities programmes where programme management drives contract performance and claim management, and where the planner's EoT analysis directly supports commercial recovery
Large-scale commercial construction: complex multi-phase projects where construction sequence and subcontractor programme integration are critical, and where planning input continues from pre-construction through to commissioning
Nuclear and defence: highly programme-critical construction projects with stringent sequencing and regulatory constraints
Oil and gas: project planning for onshore and offshore construction, frequently involving contract planning roles
Residential: larger housebuilding and build-to-rent schemes where sales phasing and programme coordination are required

Related roles

Construction Project Manager: the PM relies on the Planning Engineer's programme to manage project delivery and client reporting
Site Manager: uses lookahead programmes produced by the Planning Engineer to manage daily site operations
Contracts Manager: relies on programme reporting across the portfolio; works with senior planners on EoT and claim strategy
Civil Engineer: often works alongside Planning Engineers on infrastructure schemes, providing technical input to programme sequencing

Where we place Planning Engineer professionals

We place Planning Engineer professionals across the UK. Browse by location or register your CV for roles that match your experience.

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