Inside IR35 Planning Engineer Contract Jobs
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Systems Engineer (All Levels) – Integration, Verification & Validation
Posted 1 day ago by Leonardo UK Ltd
Leonardo is seeking Systems Engineers at various levels to support the ECRS Mk0 programme, focusing on Integration, Veri...
- Rate £75,000 per year
- Category Inside
- Work type Hybrid
- Location Scotland; Glasgow; Edinburgh; Aberdeen; Perth; Dundee; Paisley; Inverness; Falkirk; Fife; Stirling
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About Our Inside IR35 Planning Engineer Contract Roles
What does a planning engineer contractor do?
Planning Engineer contractors are engaged to develop, maintain, and analyse project schedules across construction, infrastructure, and engineering programmes. The work involves building detailed programmes in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project, conducting critical path analysis, monitoring progress against baseline, producing schedule risk analyses, and reporting on programme status to project management and client teams. Planning Engineer contractors are essential on large capital projects where schedule integrity directly affects cost, resource allocation, and contractual obligations.
Proficiency in Primavera P6 is the primary technical requirement for the majority of planning engineer contract roles, particularly in construction, oil and gas, and infrastructure. Microsoft Project skills are more commonly required in smaller projects and non-construction sectors. Experience with earned value management, schedule risk analysis using tools such as Safran Risk or ARM, and resource loading and levelling are widely expected at mid to senior levels. Knowledge of delay analysis techniques for claims and dispute resolution is a significant differentiator for contractors working on projects with complex contractual arrangements.
What is the market like for planning engineer contractors?
The market for Planning Engineer contractors is a steadily active market closely tied to the volume of major capital programmes in the UK. Infrastructure, energy, defence, and large commercial construction projects generate the most demand. The emphasis on schedule governance and reporting in NEC contract environments has increased the profile and demand for qualified planning engineers. Primavera P6 skills command a premium over Microsoft Project given the dominance of P6 on major programmes. Contractors with experience in delay analysis and claims support are particularly sought after on projects facing contractual disputes or schedule recovery situations.
What does Inside IR35 mean?
IR35 is UK tax legislation that determines whether a contractor is genuinely self-employed or working in a manner that resembles employment. When a contract is classified as inside IR35, income tax and National Insurance are deducted at source, typically via an umbrella company or agency PAYE. Headline day rates on inside IR35 engagements are generally higher than equivalent outside IR35 roles to account for the tax and employment cost structure.
Inside IR35 determinations are made where the working arrangements are considered to resemble employment, based on factors including the level of client control, the absence of a genuine right of substitution, and the presence of mutuality of obligation. Since April 2021, the end client is responsible for making this determination for medium and large private sector organisations. Many employers in financial services, government, and professional services assess the majority of their contractor engagements as inside IR35.
On QualityContracts.co.uk, approximately 49% of roles with a stated IR35 status are classified as inside IR35, making it the most common arrangement across the contract market. The proportion varies by sector and role type. Each listing on this page displays its IR35 status where provided by the hiring organisation.
What planning engineer roles are usually Inside IR35?
Inside IR35 planning engineering work is concentrated in large capital programmes where the planner is embedded in the project controls team. The work involves maintaining the project programme, producing progress reports, updating the schedule with actual progress, and supporting the project manager with look-ahead planning. Defence, rail, and energy programmes embed planning engineers as members of their project delivery teams. Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project proficiency is the standard requirement.
How much do planning engineer contractors usually earn when working Inside IR35?
Contract rates for planning engineer roles typically range from £400 to £700 per day, depending on the scope of the role, required expertise, and the delivery expectations of the engagement. Inside IR35 rates are typically 15% to 30% higher than equivalent outside IR35 roles to account for tax and national insurance deducted at source by the fee-payer.
How many Inside IR35 planning engineer vacancies are there on Quality Contracts?
Over the past twelve months, we have tracked over 80 planning engineer contract roles across the site. Around one third of the roles currently listed on the site fall Inside IR35. Data reviewed up to June 2026.