Planning Engineer Job Description

Planning engineers decide and develop the most appropriate economic models
and engineering methods for projects. They work in a variety of fields such as
civil engineering or construction. Planning engineers are normally onsite during
an engineering project to supervise all stages of work and provide solutions.
Most planning engineers work full-time alongside a wide number of teammates,
such as site managers, surveyors, and engineers, to ensure a project runs on
schedule and that materials are sufficient. Successful planning engineers are
comfortable working in fast-paced environments.

Planning Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

Although a planning engineer’s day-to-day duties and responsibilities are

determined by where they work, there are many core tasks associated with the
role. Based on our analysis of job listings, these include:

Create Project Execution Plans

Deciding on proper engineering techniques and milestone sequences for each

project stage is the most important role of a planning engineer. They set targets
for activities based on each phase of a project plan and ensure it meets client’s
specifications. Planning engineers make estimations for timescales and costs
using specialized design software packages.

Project Monitoring and Reporting

Planning engineers monitor day-to-day work progress for a project and provide
accurate weekly and monthly reports by swiftly communicating potential
progress delays or project slippages. Tracking and analyzing field results is
another key responsibility. Planning engineers continually make comparisons
between planned progress and actual progress and report any differences to
their lead project manager. They also study the impact of alternative approaches.
 Perform Project Coordination

Planning engineers analyze expenses and identify opportunities to save cost.

They make sure complex projects are handled on time and on budget by
overseeing the project planning, inventory services, cost control, team
leadership, and project management.

Manage Stakeholder and Team Communication

A planning engineer works closely with others involved in a project and directs
the daily workload of subordinate team members. They attend crucial meetings
and provide current status updates to vendors, supervisors, and other
stakeholders. Managing overall project communications is a critical part of them
successfully completing their role.

Drive Process Improvement

Driving continuous improvement by working with leadership teams is a key duty

for planning engineers. They identify gaps in key performance areas and plan
activities to increase overall project efficiency. Planning engineers provide
guidance and deliver schedules to facilitate project execution strategy.

Planning Engineer Skills and Qualifications

Planning engineers should be self-motivated, extremely organized, and have

strong communication and project management aptitude. Employers typically
seek candidates with a bachelor’s degree, an engineering certification, and the
following skills:

 Engineering skills – planning engineers need a strong understanding of

technical engineering principles to predict future problems and find solutions for
them
 Strategic planning – the primary job of planning engineers is determining the
necessary path for a project to get completed on time
 Project management – understanding how to scope a project and create work
schedules to ensure completion within the timeframe and budget allotted is a key
duty of planning engineers
 Teamwork – planning engineers interact effectively with cross-functional team
members and external stakeholders at various levels of responsibility
 Mathematical skills – high levels of mathematical skills and analytical problem-
solving are critical to the performance of this role
 Communication skills – planning engineers need strong verbal and written
skills to provide reports to clients and stakeholders as well as articulate complex
project plans to team members
 Computer skills – planning engineers use specialized computer software for
engineering and project management purposes, and also to produce visual
presentations, using bar charts and graphs to explain work schedules

Tools of the Trade

Planning engineers work in an office environment and are comfortable using the
following software and equipment in a typical workday:

 Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Access Database)

 3D Modeling software (AutoCAD)
 Project management tools

Planning Engineer Education and Training

Planning engineers generally need a bachelor’s degree in engineering,

mathematics, or some other related discipline. Employers typically seek a
minimum of three years of professional engineering experience and technical
knowledge of computers. Candidates with a Professional Engineering (PE)
license are especially attractive.