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Planning Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

M.C. Dean, Inc

Early Planning Engineer

Tysons, VA · On-site

The Early Planning Engineer or Data Analyst is both a quarterback and contributor in M.C. Dean's structured early project planning process. This position ensures all required playbook deliverables ...

W3Global Inc.

Utility Planning Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

A well-established infrastructure and utilities organization is seeking an engineering professional to support long-term system planning and capital improvement initiatives related to water ...

HNTB

Transportation Planning Engineer III

Arlington, VA

$95K - $149K/yr

Conducting and supporting both short-term and long-range transportation planning efforts; Reviewing land development applications, engineering plans, and site designs to assess transportation impacts ...

HNTB

Transportation Planning Engineer II

Arlington, VA

$74K - $139K/yr

Assisting with short- and long-range transportation planning efforts and supporting special transportation projects; Reviewing land development applications, engineering plans, and site designs to ...

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Planning Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$51.6K

$99.4K

$135.8K

How much do planning engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for planning engineer in Virginia is $99,399.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,300.00 and $126,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the work of planning engineer?

A planning engineer is responsible for developing, analyzing, and maintaining project schedules to ensure timely completion. They use tools like Primavera P6 or MS Project and coordinate with project teams to monitor progress, identify delays, and optimize resource allocation throughout the project lifecycle.

What is the difference between Planning Engineer vs Cost Engineer?

AspectPlanning EngineerCost Engineer
Primary FocusProject scheduling, timeline management, resource allocationCost estimation, budgeting, financial control
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, PMP or Primavera certifications often preferredBachelor's in Engineering, Construction Management, or Finance, relevant certifications like AACE or PMP
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, project offices, engineering firmsProject offices, construction firms, consulting agencies
Industry UsageConstruction, engineering, infrastructure projectsConstruction, engineering, infrastructure projects

Planning Engineers focus on developing and maintaining project schedules, ensuring timely completion. Cost Engineers concentrate on managing project budgets and controlling costs. Both roles are essential in construction and engineering projects, often working closely to ensure project success.

What is a planning engineer?

A planning engineer, also called a construction manager, specializes in project management for construction jobs and oversees every aspect of a construction project. As a planning engineer, your job duties are to supervise workers, inspect job sites, source materials, manage cash flow, handle budgets, and ensure the projects you’re in charge of stay on schedule. You may oversee multiple projects at once, which require you to travel between job sites on a regular rotating basis. Long hours are sometimes a necessary part of the job to meet deadlines.

What is the salary of a planning engineer in the US?

The average salary of a planning engineer in the US ranges from $65,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions typically start around $60,000, while experienced professionals with specialized skills can earn over $110,000 annually.

What are some common challenges planning engineers face when coordinating project schedules across multiple teams?

Planning Engineers often encounter the challenge of aligning different teams’ timelines and priorities, especially when dealing with complex projects that involve various departments or external contractors. Effective communication and proactive problem-solving are essential, as unexpected delays, resource constraints, or changes in project scope can impact the overall schedule. Planning Engineers regularly use project management tools to monitor progress, anticipate risks, and collaborate with team leads to keep everyone on track. Building strong relationships and maintaining flexibility are key to navigating these challenges successfully.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a planning engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Planning Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, project management, and scheduling, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with project management software such as Primavera P6, MS Project, and relevant certifications like PMP are typically important. Strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and attention to detail help you excel in coordinating teams and managing timelines. These skills ensure accurate project planning, efficient resource allocation, and successful project delivery within deadlines and budgets.
More about Planning Engineer jobs
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What job categories do people searching Planning Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Planning Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Planning Engineer jobs in VA? For Planning Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Planning Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Planning Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 33% Temporary, and 34% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,399 per year, or $47.8 per hour.

Early Planning Engineer

M.C. Dean, Inc

Tysons, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

M.C. Dean rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

287th of 441 rated engineering

Job description

Overview
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values-agility, expertise, and trust-we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
The Early Planning Engineer or Data Analyst is both a quarterback and contributor in M.C. Dean's structured early project planning process. This position ensures all required playbook deliverables are developed, validated, and presented within the mandated 30-45 day planning window. The individual coordinates cross-functional input across cost engineering, design, project controls, procurement, safety, quality, and modular manufacturing while also contributing technical or analytical expertise. Success requires balancing technical rigor with leadership, facilitation, and communication skills to prepare the project for the Project Kickoff Meeting (PKOM).
Responsibilities
Quarterbacking the Process
- Lead coordination of all required project planning meetings (Cost Engineering Handoff, Design Kick-Off, Scope/Pricing Validation, PKOM, Gate Check, and Key Project Review).
- Track and drive completion of deliverables such as scope validation, WBS development, procurement plans (Form 7), manpower and labor projections (Forms 2 & 8), risk registers (Form 5), submittal logs (Form 6), and earned value set-up.
- Maintain accountability for adherence to the 30-45 day validation and kickoff timeline.
Individual Contribution
- As an Engineer: contribute design validation, modularization planning, constructability reviews, and VDC coordination.
- As a Data Analyst/Scientist: provide cost modeling, productivity benchmarking, earned value reporting (EVMS), Power BI dashboard analysis, and risk modeling.
- Develop and refine planning tools (P6 schedules, InfraLink®, Bluebeam® validation sessions, cost control reports) to ensure data integrity and traceability.
Leadership & Facilitation
- Serve as the integrator across estimating, engineering, project controls, procurement, logistics, safety, and quality teams.
- Facilitate workshops, resolve conflicts, and ensure deliverables meet standards before executive review.
- Present key elements of the playbook during the PKOM, defending assumptions and recommendations to SBU executives.
Training & Mentorship
- Train project team members on the use of playbook tools, forms, and processes (e.g., InfraLink®, Planner action item tracking, cost validation methods).
- Mentor junior engineers and analysts on structured planning best practices.
- Capture lessons learned during Gate Check and KPR meetings to refine future playbook execution.
Qualifications
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or related field), or
  • Bachelor's degree in Data Analytics, Data Science, Mathematics, or related field.

Experience
  • 5+ years of engineering, construction, project controls, or data analytics experience.
  • Familiarity with estimating systems (Accubid), scheduling (Primavera P6), cost control (CMS, EVMS), and data visualization (Power BI).
  • Exposure to structured planning processes, modular design, or commissioning preferred.

Skills & Competencies
  • Strong facilitation and communication skills; ability to lead without direct authority.
  • Ability to analyze and validate data-driven assumptions for cost, schedule, and scope.
  • Proficiency with planning and analytics tools: P6, Excel, Power BI, InfraLink®, Bluebeam®.
  • Strong organizational discipline to manage action items, forms, and deadlines across multiple stakeholders.

Key Attributes for Success
  • Operates as both leader and contributor-quarterbacking the playbook process while providing deep technical or analytical value.
  • Confident communicator who can present complex planning data clearly to executives.
  • Constructive challenger of assumptions, ensuring scope, cost, and schedule are validated before execution.
  • Passionate about mentoring and strengthening the planning culture across projects.

We offer an excellent benefits package including:
  • A competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Paid-time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Military Reserve pay offset
  • Paid maternity leave

Abilities:
  • Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Identify and understand the speech of another person

We offer an excellent benefits package including:
  • A competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Military Reserve pay offset
  • Paid maternity leave

Pay Range
USD $104,240.00 - USD $94,400.00 /Yr.

What M.C. Dean employees say

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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