At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and manage the planning of a major marine redevelopment project.
- Company: Leading civil engineering contractor with a strong reputation in infrastructure.
- Benefits: Earn £400-£450 per day, enjoy long-term work, and clear career progression.
- Other info: Proactive candidates will thrive in this dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a flagship project from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Experience in civil engineering and strong planning skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
You’ll be joining a leading civil engineering contractor with a strong track record delivering complex, high-value infrastructure across the marine, water, and energy sectors. Known for their technical capability and long-term client relationships, they’re trusted to deliver some of the UK’s most challenging schemes — and they invest heavily in the people who make that happen.
You’ll be working on a new, major £100m+ redevelopment within a live naval dockyard environment, involving the upgrade and construction of multiple large-scale marine basins and associated infrastructure. It’s a technically demanding scheme with significant reinforced concrete works, complex sequencing, and logistical challenges — all being delivered in a highly controlled, secure setting. Crucially, you’ll be joining at an early stage, giving you the chance to influence how the project is planned and delivered from the ground up — not just inherit someone else’s programme.
This is not a back‑office planning role. You’ll be right at the centre of the project — shaping the strategy, not just tracking it. You’ll take ownership of developing and managing the programme, working closely with commercial, site, and design teams to build a plan that actually works in practice.
- Building programmes from first principles
- Pulling together input from site, commercial, and design teams
- Defining sequencing, methodology, and the true critical path
- Challenging assumptions and driving smarter engineering solutions
- Keeping programmes live, accurate, and aligned with site reality
- Identifying risks early and helping steer the project around them
This is a role where your engineering background is as important as your planning ability.
This role is ideal for someone who has come up through the civil engineering route and understands how projects are built — not just how they look on a programme.
- The ability to gain high‑level Security Clearance
- Background as a Site Engineer, Senior Engineer, or Site Agent
- Experience on heavy civil engineering projects
- Strong understanding of construction sequencing and delivery
- Working knowledge of MS Project or Primavera P6
- Confident working across multiple teams and challenging when needed
- Able to work in Plymouth and obtain SC Clearance
Most importantly — you’re proactive, commercially aware, and capable of turning real site experience into practical, buildable plans.
£400 – £450 per day (PAYE rate plus holiday)
Long‑term, secure work on a flagship project
The chance to shape a major scheme from the outset
Exposure to complex marine and RC engineering
Clear progression within planning and project controls
Ongoing work beyond this project — not just a single scheme
If you want to be in a role where you can influence how a major project is delivered — not just report on it, apply now or get in touch for a confidential chat.
Planning Engineer employer: GirlingJones
Contact Detail:
GirlingJones Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and the specific project. We want you to be able to discuss how your skills as a Planning Engineer can directly impact their flagship marine project in Plymouth.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! Bring examples of how you've tackled complex projects before. We’re talking about real-life scenarios where you’ve had to think on your feet and deliver results under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Planning Engineer role. Highlight your background in civil engineering and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving complex sequencing and heavy civil engineering.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your proactive approach and how your site experience can help shape the project from the ground up.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your proficiency with MS Project or Primavera P6. These tools are crucial for the role, so make sure we see how you’ve used them in past projects to manage programmes effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at GirlingJones
✨Know Your Project Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the flagship marine project. Understand the complexities involved, such as the reinforced concrete works and logistical challenges. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how your skills can directly contribute to overcoming these challenges.
✨Showcase Your Engineering Background
Since this role requires a solid engineering foundation, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences as a Site Engineer or Senior Engineer. Highlight specific projects where you’ve successfully managed construction sequencing and delivery, demonstrating how your hands-on experience translates into effective planning.
✨Be Ready to Challenge Assumptions
This position is all about shaping strategies, so come equipped with examples of when you've challenged the status quo in past projects. Discuss how you identified risks early and implemented smarter engineering solutions, showcasing your proactive approach and commercial awareness.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Planning Tools
Make sure you're comfortable discussing MS Project or Primavera P6, as these tools are crucial for the role. If possible, brush up on any recent updates or features that could enhance project planning. Being able to speak confidently about these tools will demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.