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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY →

Planning Engineer

Planning Engineers organize construction and engineering projects from start to finish. They make schedules, work out what could go wrong, and make sure teams have everything they need to build things on time and on budget.

Planning Engineer

28

Engineering and Technology

AI IMPACT
AI EXPOSURE TODAY28
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST60%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£28,000 - £35,000
RELATIONAL MOATPeople want a real person for this. That preference is the protection.

THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.

AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.

This job holds up well against AI
AI exposure today is modest on our index (28), and people want a real person for this. That preference is the protection. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

The role

As a Planning Engineer, you organize how a building or engineering project will happen. You make timetables that show when each part of the work will be done, who needs to do it, and what will happen if something takes longer than expected. You use computer software to keep track of all this information.

You work with project managers, builders, engineers and architects to understand what needs to be done and when. You look out for things that might delay the project - like bad weather, broken equipment or staff being ill - and make new plans if the original one is not working. You write reports showing how the project is going and talk to teams every day about what is happening.

Daily responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain detailed project schedules using advanced planning software.
  • Collaborate with project managers and stakeholders to define project scope and objectives.
  • Monitor project progress and adjust schedules as necessary to mitigate delays.
  • Conduct risk assessments and implement contingency plans to ensure project timelines are met.
  • Prepare and present regular progress reports to senior management and clients.
  • Analyze resource allocation and optimize workflows to enhance productivity.
  • Facilitate communication between various teams to ensure alignment on project goals.
  • Stay updated on industry trends and best practices to continuously improve planning processes.

Does a degree help here?

A UK degree in engineering or a related field provides candidates with a solid foundation in technical knowledge and project management skills. Universities in the UK are renowned for their rigorous engineering programmes, giving graduates a competitive edge in the job market.