Tunnel Engineer

Join Parsons as a Tunnel Engineer and Shape the Future of Underground Infrastructure

At Parsons, we empower professionals to envision and deliver groundbreaking solutions in an environment that values innovation, collaboration, and personal growth. As a Tunnel Engineer specializing in TTT Bored Tunnels & Cavern Works, you will play a pivotal role in transforming complex underground construction projects into reality. Guided by our leadership principles of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, you will work alongside exceptional talent to redefine what’s possible in tunneling and underground infrastructure.

Your Role and Responsibilities

As a Tunnel Engineer, you will provide technical expertise and on-site engineering leadership to support the successful delivery of bored tunnels and underground cavern construction. Your responsibilities will span the entire project lifecycle, ensuring that construction activities align with approved designs, methodologies, and stringent safety and quality standards. You will collaborate closely with contractors, multidisciplinary teams, and key stakeholders to drive efficiency, resolve technical challenges, and maintain project momentum.

Your core duties will include:

• TBM Tunneling Operations: Monitor Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operations, including segmental lining installation, backfill grouting, TBM advance, and operational performance to ensure alignment with project specifications.
• Cavern Excavation Support: Assist in supervising cavern excavation works using methodologies such as NATM, SEM, drill and blast, or other approved techniques, ensuring compliance with safety and quality protocols.
• Technical Compliance and Quality Assurance: Review construction activities to verify adherence to IFC drawings, method statements, project specifications, and construction procedures. Prepare and coordinate Requests for Information (RFIs) to address technical queries and resolve site issues.
• TBM Lifecycle Management: Support all phases of the TBM lifecycle, from assembly, launch, and production tunneling to breakthrough, reception, recovery, and decommissioning. Assist in planning and monitoring TBM dismantling, component removal, and demobilization activities.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Interface with Geotechnical, Survey, QA/QC, Design, and HSE teams to resolve technical issues, interpret geotechnical instrumentation data, and maintain construction progress.
• Ground Support and Monitoring: Verify the installation and quality of ground support systems, including shotcrete, rock bolts, steel ribs, waterproofing systems, and segmental tunnel linings. Monitor geotechnical instrumentation, settlement, tunnel convergence, and ground movement data to identify unexpected ground conditions and report in accordance with the project Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR).
• Construction Planning and Reporting: Support short-term planning, look-ahead schedules, progress reporting, and construction performance reviews. Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly engineering and construction progress reports to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance: Promote and enforce compliance with project Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) requirements and Life-Saving Rules. Monitor high-risk underground activities, including confined space entry, lifting operations, and underground construction, while participating in toolbox talks, safety inspections, and incident investigations.
• Quality Control and Documentation: Conduct QA/QC inspections for tunnel linings, waterproofing systems, shotcrete application, and permanent support installations. Maintain accurate engineering records, inspection reports, site diaries, and construction documentation, and assist in preparing as-built records, handover documentation, and project closeout deliverables.

Qualifications and Skills

To excel in this role, you will bring the following qualifications and experience:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering, Tunneling Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of 10+ years of hands-on experience in tunneling, underground construction, or major infrastructure projects, with a proven track record in TBM tunneling operations.
• In-depth knowledge of TBM lifecycle management, including assembly, launch, production, breakthrough, and decommissioning.
• Proficiency in interpreting geotechnical data, ground support systems, and construction methodologies such as NATM, SEM, and drill and blast.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve technical challenges in dynamic underground environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to interface effectively with contractors, subcontractors, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with project management tools, construction scheduling software, and HSE compliance frameworks.
• A commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks.

If you are passionate about shaping the future of underground infrastructure and thrive in a collaborative, innovative environment, we invite you to join our team as a Tunnel Engineer at Parsons. Together, we will redefine what’s possible in tunneling and construction.