Job Description

The Assistant Project Planner will play a hands-on role in shaping the delivery of some of the UK’s most exciting and nationally significant infrastructure projects — from transforming rail networks and modernising water systems to developing major highways, defence facilities, and nuclear programmes.

As part of integrated project delivery teams, you’ll learn how large engineering schemes come together by supporting the development of project timelines, tracking progress on live work, and helping teams make informed decisions that keep complex projects moving. This is a role where you won’t just observe — you’ll contribute directly to planning real engineering outcomes, gaining valuable experience, insight, and responsibility from day one.

This will allow you to gain unparalleled exposure by learning and developing on some of the UK’s most significant engineering and infrastructure projects, with cross industry rotations and hands on experience that will accelerate your growth and set you apart in the early stages of your career.

Training & Development

Assistants will join a structured 24‑month Planner Development Programme, consisting of:

• Comprehensive structured training, including full Primavera P6 index and project controls fundamentals, giving graduates the technical grounding needed to become confident engineering planners.
• Hands on learning through multidisciplinary placements
• Real project exposure from day one, working alongside experienced planners, engineers and project managers, with opportunities to shadow key meetings, attend site visits and contribute to live project updates.
• Continuous professional support, including mentoring, on-the-job coaching and learning of key concepts like contract management under NEC4 as well as support for professional accreditation such as APM PFQ qualifications

A clear development pathway designed to give graduates the tools, confidence and industry insight to progress quickly, build specialist planning expertise, and establish a long-term career in project planning and controls.

Your role

• Support planning and scheduling activities across major engineering and construction projects.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams including engineers and project managers.
• Assist in creating, updating, and maintaining project schedules (training provided).
• Help break down work, sequence tasks, and track project progress.
• Contribute to project reporting with clear summaries, visuals, and updates.
• Maintain baseline plans and support time‑related project controls.
• Use Excel and digital tools to prepare dashboards and reports.
• Develop skills in key planning tools such as Primavera P6, MS Project, Asta Powerproject and Power BI.

About you

Essential:

• Degree (or expected) in a STEM subject.
• Strong analytical, numerical, and critical‑thinking skills.
• Familiarity with engineering or technical problem‑solving approaches.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Basic awareness of how large projects are structured and delivered.
• Understanding of time management and task sequencing.
• Experience working in a team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable:

• Exposure to planning, scheduling, or data‑focused project work.
• Student membership of APM or similar body.
• Basic understanding of project stages.
• Familiarity with Power BI or other visualisation tools.
• Awareness of Gantt charts or planning techniques.
• Interest in sustainability or digital innovation.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

#LI-UK#LI-ATKINS #PPSProContr

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.