Principal Project Controls Engineer – Lead Planning & Scheduling

About the role

Mott MacDonald is seeking a seasoned Principal Project Controls Engineer to lead project‑controls functions across major infrastructure, transport, aviation, rail and urban development programmes in Saudi Arabia. You will provide strategic leadership, ensuring effective planning, scheduling, forecasting, risk management, change control and performance reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement project‑controls strategies, procedures, governance frameworks and reporting systems for large‑scale programmes.
• Establish integrated controls covering schedule, cost, risk, change and performance management, using Primavera P6.
• Lead and mentor planning and project‑controls teams, acting as the technical authority for methodologies.
• Create, review and assure complex master schedules, work‑breakdown structures, control accounts and baseline programmes.
• Facilitate schedule workshops, perform schedule assurance reviews, programme audits and quality assessments.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in project controls, planning and scheduling on large‑scale, multidisciplinary infrastructure programmes.
• Proven ability to lead project‑controls functions and mentor teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, working collaboratively with project directors, commercial managers and clients.
• Experience with risk management, change control and project forecasting.

Required skills

• Primavera P6
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Risk Management
• Change Control
• Performance Reporting
• Planning and Scheduling

What we offer

• Employee‑ownership model with annual bonus opportunities and long‑term participation.
• Medical and life insurance, competitive annual leave and enhanced maternity/paternity provisions.
• Professional membership support and structured learning & career development.
• Inclusive culture committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.