Early Planning Engineer

M.C. Dean, Inc•Tysons, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

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).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or related field), or Bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics, Data Science, Mathematics, or related field.
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).
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to structured planning processes, modular design, or commissioning preferred.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.