Project Controls Engineer

Project Controls Engineer / Planner

• Location: Chorley, Lancashire (Manufacturing & Engineering Facility)

• Type: Full-time

• Security Clearance: UK Baseline Security Clearance (BPSS) Required

Our client is an established UK-based engineering and manufacturing specialist delivering complex, high-integrity plant, containment systems, and bespoke mechanical handling equipment for the nuclear, defense, and research sectors. Operating across the full project lifecycle - from design and fabrication through to testing and assembly - they provide tailored engineering solutions for high-hazard environments.

Provides integrated technical and commercial Project Controls support across a portfolio of complex engineering and manufacturing projects, from initial bid development through to project closeout. Reporting to the Project Controls Manager, this role is responsible for establishing, updating, and reporting on schedule, cost, and resource data (WBS/CBS) using Primavera P6 to ensure contract delivery against project targets.

• Schedule & Baseline Management: Develop and maintain detailed, resource-loaded project schedules in Primavera P6. Establish Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) aligned with project scope and contract terms (NEC3/NEC4).

• Earned Value & Performance Reporting: Generate standardized cost and schedule performance metrics (Earned Value, SPI, CPI, EAC) and present analysis for internal board reporting (PSR) and external client progress updates.

• Progress Tracking & Variance Analysis: Run routine progress updates, identify critical path deviations, perform variance analysis, and communicate schedule impacts to Project Managers and Integrated Delivery teams.

• Bid-to-Execution Transition: Partner with Estimators and Bid Managers to develop bid programmes into operational project schedules, ensuring seamless handovers to project execution teams.

• Contractual Change Control: Apply formal change management to project baselines in line with contract requirements, demonstrating the schedule, cost, and resource impacts of variations.

• Software Expertise: Formal training and substantial, hands-on experience using Primavera P6 (logic links, constraints, coding, resource loading).

• Project Controls Experience: Minimum 5 years of dedicated project controls or planning experience within a manufacturing, heavy engineering, or nuclear environment.

• Contract Knowledge: Practical understanding and working experience with NEC3 contracts (NEC4 and MS Project experience are advantageous).

• Cost & Resource Integration: Proven ability to resource-load schedules at the activity level, maintain spend forecasts (EAC), analyze budgets, and manage baseline changes.

• Skills & Qualifications: Strong analytical, critical thinking, and stakeholder communication skills. Prince2/ITIL or formal quality/project management qualifications are desirable.