Location: London, UK
Job Purpose
Datalec Precision Installations (DPI) is a leading provider of data centre design, supply, build, and managed services. We are committed to delivering seamless and integrated solutions for data centre operators worldwide. Our team is dedicated to maintaining high standards of service and excellence in every project we undertake.
We are seeking a Planning Engineer to join our Team. This role will be responsible for leading all planning, scheduling, and programme management activities for major hyperscale data centre developments in Norway. This role ensures robust programme control throughout design, procurement, construction, and commissioning, working closely with General Contractors (GCs), consultants, and DPI internal teams.
You will maintain and challenge construction schedules, safeguard project timelines, drive risk identification and mitigation, and deliver accurate, data-driven insights to support senior decision-making.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Develop, manage, and maintain comprehensive project and master construction programmes for hyperscale data centre developments.
- Create detailed, logically linked programmes for all phases: design coordination, procurement, MEP installation, commissioning, and integrated testing.
- On selected projects, take full ownership of the baseline construction programme; on others, assume and manage the GC’s master schedule as the governing programme.
- Review, challenge, and monitor GC schedules to ensure alignment with contractual requirements, technical specifications, and commercial objectives.
- Ensure that logic links, sequencing, durations, resourcing, and calendars are fully justified and achievable.
- Identify construction sequencing issues specific to MEP-heavy and data centre project environments.
- Monitor project progress meticulously, tracking planned vs. actual performance.
- Identify variances, slippage, and critical path deviations.
- Assess total and free float, driving early intervention where recoveries are required.
- Conduct scenario modelling and what-if analyses to support mitigation strategies.
- Lead in-depth schedule analysis, including:
- Critical path and float analysis
- Risk identification and quantification
- Delay impact assessments
- Acceleration modelling
- Proactively highlight emerging risks and work with GCs, internal teams, and consultants to implement mitigation measures.
- Prepare and deliver clear, data-driven programme reports for senior management, including dashboards, S-curves, and KPI tracking.
- Communicate complex programme data in a concise, accessible format suitable for senior technical and commercial stakeholders.
- Support project change processes by assessing the schedule impacts of:
- Design changes
- Variations
- Acceleration initiatives
- Resourcing changes
- Provide technically and contractually robust input to commercial and project management teams.
- Maintain accurate programme data within Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject, and other planning systems.
- Ensure all programme updates follow DPI planning governance and review processes.
- Champion best practices in planning and scheduling for data centre, MEP-intensive, and fast-track construction environments.
- Contribute to planning standards, tools, templates, and methodologies across DPI global projects.
- Represent the business, upholding our core values and behaviours with all internal and external customers, clients and third parties.
- Maintain business and client confidentiality, adhering to applicable Data Protection regulations and Information Security Standards in line with company and group policies and procedures.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.
- Professional accreditation (e.g., PMI-SP, APM, or equivalent) is beneficial but not essential.
- 7+ years of experience in planning/scheduling for major construction or MEP-heavy projects.
- Strong understanding of data centre construction sequencing, particularly MEP integration, commissioning, and interface management.
- Extensive experience using Primavera P6 and Asta Powerproject in live construction environments.
- Proven ability to review and challenge contractor programmes, ensuring robust logic, sequencing, and durations.
- Experience managing programmes in fast-track, high-pressure project settings.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex datasets, identify priorities, and communicate insights clearly.
- Strong written and verbal communication, with experience presenting to senior stakeholders.
To Apply
To apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter to recruitment@datalecltd.com. For further information, please get in touch with HR on +44 (0) 800 6891318.
About Datalec Precision Installations (DPI)
Datalec Precision Installations provides world-class, global data centre solutions, specialising in M&E and connectivity design, bespoke manufacturing, construction, and installation services. Supported by unmatched technical expertise, we offer consultancy, technical and critical cleaning, electronic security, and managed services to address every data centre need.