Principal Project Controls Engineer

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy committed to delivering impactful work that shapes the future. We are a team of over 20,000 experts working across the world in more than 50 countries. We are proud to be part of an ever-changing global industry, delivering transformative work that’s defining our future. It’s our people who power that performance.

As an employee-owned business, we invest in creating a space for everyone to feel safe and valued and empowered with the right tools and support. Whether you want to pursue excellence in your specialism or broaden your experience with flexible roles across our business, you’ll be connected to a community of global experts championing you to be your best. Join us and shape your story with Mott MacDonald, where everyone has the opportunity to be brilliant.

About the role

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

Working closely with Project Directors, Programme Managers, Commercial Managers, Design Managers and client stakeholders, you will establish and implement integrated project controls systems, governance processes and reporting frameworks that support proactive, data-driven decision making. You will also act as a technical authority for project controls, supporting capability development and mentoring teams across the business.

Key responsibilities and duties are listed, but not limited to, the below:

• Lead the development and implementation of project controls strategies, procedures, governance frameworks and reporting systems across major projects and programmes.
• Establish and maintain integrated project controls systems covering schedule, cost, risk, change and performance management processes.
• Provide leadership, guidance and mentorship to planning and project controls teams.
• Act as the technical authority for planning, scheduling and project controls methodologies across the business.
• Develop, review and assure complex integrated master schedules using Primavera P6.
• Establish Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Control Accounts, coding structures, progress measurement systems and baseline programmes.
• Facilitate schedule development workshops with project teams, clients and stakeholders.
• Perform schedule assurance reviews, programme audits and quality assessments using recognised industry standards.
• Support continuous improvement and digital ways of working, sharing knowledge and lessons learned.
• Demonstrate safe, ethical and inclusive behaviours aligned to Mott MacDonald values.

Candidate specification

Essential

• Extensive experience in project controls, planning and scheduling on large-scale infrastructure or multidisciplinary programmes.
• Proven ability to lead project controls functions across complex projects and programmes.
• Strong expertise in Primavera P6 and integrated schedule development.
• Experience establishing project controls frameworks, governance processes and performance reporting systems.
• Sound knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), cost and schedule integration, and performance measurement.
• Experience in programme assurance, schedule audits and quality reviews.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to work collaboratively with project teams, clients and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated capability in risk management, change control and project forecasting.

Desirable

• Experience supporting infrastructure, transport, aviation, rail or urban development projects within Saudi Arabia or the wider region.
• Expertise in forensic programme analysis and independent assessment of project performance.
• Experience developing and mentoring project controls and planning professionals.
• Knowledge of industry-recognised project controls standards, methodologies and best practices.
• Experience delivering executive-level reporting and strategic performance insights.

Your benefits and rewards

Our benefits vary by country and are subject to eligibility and local policy:

• Rewards and bonuses: we are owned by our people (no external investors) and through our employee ownership model success is shared through annual bonus opportunities and longer-term participation as your career grows (subject to local plan, eligibility and business performance)
• Medical insurance and life insurance as per local plan (standard and enhanced coverage may vary by country and policy).
• Annual leave in line with local policy (competitive within the market).
• Maternity leave above and beyond local provisions and paternity leave provisions where applicable.
• Professional membership/institution subscription support.
• Learning and career development through project variety, technical networks and structured development opportunities.
• An inclusive culture: we’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.