What is the role of a planning engineer?
Planning engineers are critical to several industries because practically every organization and company needs expert planners. Their primary focus is on developing comprehensive project plans and schedules, ensuring the timely and efficient execution of projects while meeting all quality and safety standards. Planning engineers coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including project managers, contractors, and other engineering teams, to facilitate seamless project delivery.
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Project Engineer III
Location: Baytown
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 0 years
Brunel is recruiting Project Engineers (Electrical & Instrumentation) to work with our client in Baytown, TX for initially 1 year contract. We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer with strong Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) expertise to support capital projects at in Baytown, TX. This role will focus heavily on PLC upgrades and DCS system modernization. The ideal candidate will combine hands-on E&I technical depth with strong project management experience, having successfully executed projects from conception through execution and closeout - specifically within E&I or PLC-DCS scopes. Responsibilities: Lead or support capital project execution from early concept through project closeout. Accountable for Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC), Cost, and Schedule performance. Define project deliverables, milestones, and execution strategies. Manage contractors, particularly within E&I scopes. Drive construction progress and oversee field execution. Support procurement activities (materials requisitioning, expediting E&I components). Administer contracts, review terms, and support negotiations. Manage project change requests and endorse change authorizations. Lead project closeout and turnover to site operations. Execute projects involving: PLC upgrades and migrations to DCS systems Electrical distribution and control systems Instrumentation design and integration Demonstrated experience with PLC-to-DCS migrations is highly preferred. Support industrial automation integration and system modernization. Consider cybersecurity and control systems integration best practices. Experience in both: Greenfield projects Brownfield upgrades Ensure adherence to Project Safety Plan and site SSH&E standards. Support SSHE planning and execution strategies. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company standards. Participate in Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) and constructability reviews. Participate in ITT development, bid evaluations, and contractor selection. Develop execution planning (engineering, procurement, contracting). Interface between Project Team and contractors. Coordinate across project, manufacturing, and functional teams. Support remote execution strategies when appropriate, with strategic site visits as required.
Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer
Location: Oakville
Branche: Life Sciences
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 0 years
Responsibilities * Complete electrical and/or instrumentation design for complex, customengineered water technology projects * Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver projects aligned with quality, schedule, budget, and risk objectives * Perform instrument selection and prepare instrument and automatic valve lists, datasheets, and I/O lists * Develop instrument installation details and supporting engineering documentation * Design electrical control panels, including panel layouts and schematics * Select and specify VFDs and motor starters * Provide engineering support to production facilities as required * Participate in customer-facing Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) * Support projects through commissioning activities * Provide technical guidance and mentorship to new and junior EI&C engineers
Senior Engineering Manager - Utility-Scale Solar & BESS
Location: Austin
Branche: Renewable Energy
Expertise: HR & Recruiting
Experience: 5 years
Key responsibilities include: Lead all electrical engineering activities for utility-scale solar and BESS projects across development, design, construction, commissioning, and operations Provide technical direction and subject-matter expertise for both new projects and existing operating assets Collaborate with project management and procurement teams to support on-time and cost-effective delivery Coordinate engineering activities with EPC contractors, equipment vendors, utilities, and regulatory authorities Oversee engineering studies, feasibility assessments, and detailed design reviews Ensure compliance with NEC, IEEE, safety regulations, environmental standards, and internal engineering requirements Own MV/HV systems, substations, protection & control, and grid interconnection scope Support ERCOT interconnection processes and Texas grid requirements Monitor plant performance and recommend optimization strategies Review and approve technical documentation, drawings, reports, and specifications Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve plant efficiency, reliability, and sustainability Provide technical leadership to internal engineering teams and external partners
Field Engineer
Location: Burlington
Branche: Renewable Energy
Expertise: HR & Recruiting
Experience: 2 years
We are seeking a Civil Field Engineer with experience in linear water rehabilitation projects (such as sewer systems). This is an on-site role supporting a sewer rehabilitation project for a utility client in the Boston area. The Field Engineer will act as the Owner's Representative, supporting construction activities in the field and coordinating with the design engineering team as needed. Serve as Owner's Representative on-site Review drawings, RFIs, and other technical documents Provide technical support to contractors in the field Coordinate with the design engineering office when changes are required Ensure work complies with contract documents and specifications Interpret engineering drawings and specifications Perform field design checks and minor redesigns as needed Support subcontract administration and procurement activities Monitor subcontractor progress and performance Assist with cost control, scheduling, and material tracking Maintain project documentation and records Support construction planning and invoice approvals Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards Assist with inspections and verification of completed work Support continuous improvement and change management efforts
Reservoir Engineer
Location: Spring
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Marketing & Sales
Experience: 0 years
Key Responsibilities Reservoir Engineering & Simulation Build, run, and evaluate dynamic reservoir simulation models Conduct depletion strategy evaluations and technical studies (PVT, inflow/outflow, relative permeability, SCAL, etc.) Support asset acquisition evaluations through technical and depletion assessments Participate in and lead peer reviews to maintain technical standards Provide input to drilling, facilities, and project teams Mentor junior reservoir engineers and support technical development Prepare clear technical documentation and present findings to leadership Economic Modeling & Forecasting Develop, maintain, and enhance economic models in ComboCurve Build fiscal structures including CAPEX, OPEX, A&D, pricing, royalties, and working interest assumptions Execute well, pad, and type curve forecasts for development scenarios Run full-cycle economics including sensitivities, price cases, and timing scenarios Align economic outputs with corporate planning and value assurance standards Improve workflows and automate recurring economic evaluations Risk & Cross-Functional Support Support risk and uncertainty analysis and value-of-information studies Collaborate with reservoir, geology, drilling, planning, and finance teams Deliver technical presentations and timely updates to management Support regulatory compliance and maintain high ethical standards
Project Cost Engineer
Location: Bagdad
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Controlling
Experience: 4 years
Under general supervision, project management support, construction management support, cost and schedule analysis, reporting, and general project controls support. Essential Functions: Provides guidance, direction, and specialized assistance for the resolution of difficult project control problems through various methods such as using industry related technical knowledge, designing innovative short cuts, and reviewing engineering alternatives. Analyzes, evaluates, and forecasts status against an established baseline schedule. Understands the construction methodology and can identify potential issues and impacts and propose corrective actions. Assess the impact(s) of design or construction changes and associated cost growth and/or schedule slippages. Evaluates proposed process improvements, requests for information (RFIs), and differing site conditions for impacts to the project in terms of cost and/or schedule. Estimates quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to validate project estimates, change orders and scope changes through the review of design drawings, sketches, calculations, or other information supplied by the engineering or construction company. Understands and applies engineering, procurement and construction terminology, concepts, and relationships to the scope of work and ensures adherence to safety and quality standards. Utilizes engineering knowledge and experience to review and process engineering submittals and track the progress of the same and coordinate submittal and reviews with the project manager, project team members and any other stakeholders as directed by his/her supervisor. Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, and other topographical or geologic data to assist in project planning. Based on design reviews, identifies any out-of-scope changes and documents quantity variances based on material take-offs (MTOs) from design documents. Review contractor equipment logs, time sheets, supplier invoices and contracts to check that equipment and personnel are being utilized as specified. Validate the reported progress percentage based on the rules of credit established within the project with the contractors through spot checks of the design documents and/or construction progress. Review contractor schedules for accuracy and alignment with the overall master schedule. Reviews project documents, including design sets, to determine project milestones and sequencing and validate that the construction schedules comply with the project documents. Assist in processing project change notices and reporting of changes through the Change Management System. Assist in compilation of all weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for the project. Perform other duties as required.
Sr. Engineer - Operational Improvement Equipment Life Cycle
Location: Phoenix
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 3 years
As a Senior Engineer you will plan, organize, manage and evaluate designated engineering projects and programs, ensuring the successful conclusion of all phases on time and within budget. Duties include: Review, investigate and develop appropriate recommendations regarding assigned engineering projects. Manage projects and serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on large/complex site planning/construction, expansion or modifications. Provide guidance and counsel to the site management team on applicable processes, practices, or existing/proposed local, state and federal regulations. Contribute to site strategic planning and budgeting efforts for designated engineering area. Develop and evaluate AFE's (Authorization for Expenditure) for capital funding requests. May evaluate and administer contracts with vendors for the provision of services and equipment. May represent the site on company sponsored steering committees, task forces, or teams. Works on complex issues and implements solutions mostly through the determination of strategy and delegation to others in a group of functional area. Often collaborates with managers and/or functional or site leaders and has some interaction with external colleagues. Works under moderate supervision and has some latitude to set objectives, priorities and timelines that may impact department or individual work group. Contributes to budget preparation by supplying costs and recommendations. Manages appropriate project budgets for consulting services. Manages a specific program or project, but typically does not supervise people.
Project Controls Engineer III - Lead Cost
Location: Pheonix
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Controlling
Experience: 4 years
🕒 Contract Positions - Major Mining Projects The Project Controls Engineer III - Lead Cost will support large-scale mining projects focused on infrastructure project across multiple mine sites. located in Phoenix, Arizona and will eventually move to a 4x1 rotation* in Morenci, AZ at the project site. 🛠️ Key Responsibilities: Lead cost control processes across projects-develop cost control systems, track commitments, accruals, forecasts, and change management Own and manage the cost scope of the change management process using company systems Prepare and deliver weekly, monthly, and quarterly cost performance reports at both project and corporate levels Review design and procurement changes for cost and schedule impacts; identify quantity variances based on MTOs Forecast, evaluate risks, and recommend corrective actions for schedule slippage or cost overruns Interface with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to align scopes and track performance Conduct contractor audits (equipment, time, invoicing) to validate cost accuracy Prepare cost estimates for minor scopes and review change orders for compliance Drive solutions to project controls issues and continuously improve processes
Sr. Maintenance Planner
Location: Green Valley
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Quality Management
Experience: 5 years
Ideally seeking an individual located commutable to the mine site. If not local, will considering someone on rotation providing $200/day stipend to cover costs of lodging, food and transportation. . In this role, you will lead workload activities by planning, scheduling, measuring and analyzing maintenance activities at the mine site with site supervisor. Duties: Lead workload activities of the assigned department by planning, scheduling, measuring, and analyzing Maintenance activities in collaboration with site supervisors. Plan, schedule, and analyze execution to generate successful resolution of issues. Manage and maintain the integrity of the information management systems to achieve the assigned planning and scheduling objectives. Under the guidance of the Equipment Reliability Standards (ERS) interact with the Supervisor in the assigned area to establish and monitor planned schedules for assigned activities. Conduct and participate in daily, weekly, and monthly planning meetings with key stakeholders. Review, prioritize and schedule work orders. Responsible for "Runtime Forecasting" process execution and outcomes in assigned area. Provide guidance and mentor Planner I personnel in company practices in addition to sound planning and scheduling techniques. Support the area Supervisor in all facets of job preparation, execution and follow up as prescribed by the company standards, including time spent "in the field" to ensure readiness and availability of materials and equipment resources. Develop, monitor, and adjust schedules for assigned activities. Maintain these schedules in the management system (SAP). Collaborate with other Planners and first line supervisors in the long-range planning and scheduling for planned major production shutdowns and long-range planning, including but not limited to, job identification, job priority, resource requirements, materials requirements, budget forecasts and interdepartmental coordination. Responsible for managing and maintaining the integrity of information in the management system (SAP) to achieve the assigned planning and scheduling objectives in assigned area. Execute, establish, and maintain a history for all assigned activities in the management system (SAP). Engage with onsite Global Supply Chain to control warehouse minimum/maximum levels and appropriate storage conditions of materials and parts. Support execution of contracts by preparing scopes of work for internal and external jobs. Initiate requests for parts and materials. Interface with Global Supply Chain department but may deal directly with vendors for the provision of services and equipment. Assist with maintenance management decisions, including departmental budgets and weekly forecasting. Ensure adequate forecasting of large dollar maintenance materials to meet maintenance and financial requirements. Generate regular and ad hoc reports for site management to help measure key performance indicators. Perform other duties as needed.
Mechanical Technician
Location: Carlsbad
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 3 years
Perform maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of mechanical components and rotating equipment Assist mechanical engineers in planning and testing mechanical systems and machinery Execute work according to approved job plans and procedures Review job packs prior to execution and provide feedback for improvements Identify safety risks associated with each task and ensure hazards are mitigated before work begins Actively participate in all required job safety processes and tools Request required work permits and notify supervision if permits are delayed beyond 30 minutes Record equipment history and maintenance data in systems such as Global Reliability Tool (GRT) and data sheets Support preparation of cost estimates and maintenance proposals as needed Communicate equipment conditions clearly and recommend corrective actions
What do planning engineers do?
Planning engineers are responsible for several key tasks throughout the project lifecycle. They meticulously analyze project requirements and objectives to create detailed plans, encompassing timelines, resource allocation, and budget estimates. These professionals collaborate with project managers to set achievable milestones and deadlines, allowing for efficient project monitoring and progress tracking.
Moreover, planning engineers continuously assess project risks and implement risk mitigation strategies to minimize potential delays and disruptions. They monitor the project's progress, identify any deviations from the original plan, and propose corrective actions to ensure the project remains on schedule.
Planning engineers utilize various project management tools and software to create and manage Gantt charts, critical path analysis, and resource utilization charts. These tools aid in effective project planning and resource allocation, allowing for the optimization of manpower and equipment utilization.
What are the required skills for a planning engineer?
To excel as a planning engineer, individuals must possess a diverse skill set. Exceptional organizational skills are essential for managing complex project plans and multiple timelines effectively. Planning engineers should be adept at problem-solving, as they often encounter unforeseen challenges that require quick and efficient resolution to keep the project on track.
Communication skills are crucial for successful collaboration with project stakeholders and team members. Planning engineers need to convey complex technical information and project updates clearly and concisely. Additionally, they should have a strong understanding of project management methodologies and techniques to develop efficient and realistic project schedules.
Where do planning engineers work?
Planning engineers find employment opportunities in a variety of industries, especially in construction, infrastructure development, manufacturing, and large-scale project management. They may work for construction companies, engineering firms, government agencies, or any organization involved in project planning and execution.
Common planning engineer responsibilities
Develop comprehensive project plans and schedules, considering project requirements, objectives, and available resources;
Collaborate with project managers and other stakeholders to set realistic milestones and deadlines for project completion;
Continuously monitor project progress, identify potential delays, and implement corrective measures to keep the project on track;
Conduct risk assessments and develop risk mitigation strategies to minimize project disruptions;
Utilize project management tools and software to create Gantt charts, critical path analysis, and resource utilization charts;
Coordinate with engineering teams, contractors, and suppliers to ensure timely and efficient project execution;
Optimize resource allocation and manpower utilization to maximize project efficiency;
Provide regular project updates to stakeholders, keeping them informed of project status and any changes to the plan;
Comply with safety regulations and quality standards throughout the project;
Maintain detailed project documentation, including plans, schedules, and progress reports.
Qualifications for planning engineers
To become a planning engineer, candidates should possess at least a Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field. Additional certifications in project management or relevant software proficiency can be advantageous.
Other essential qualifications include:
- 2-4+ years of experience in project planning and scheduling;
- Proficiency in project management tools and software;
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities;
- Extensive experience with project management methodologies;
- Detail-oriented and highly organized;
- Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams;
- Dedicated to completing projects on time and within the budget.
