Principal Tunnel Geotechnical Engineer

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Job Description:

Principal Tunnel Geotechnical Engineer

Dubai, UAE

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Principal Tunnel Geotechnical Engineer to join our team! In this role you will take technical ownership of the geotechnical and tunnelling engineering of the Airport Express Line and other high-profile rail, bridge and marine programmes — leading the design of large-diameter TBM tunnels, mined crossover caverns and deep station excavations, setting the ground investigation strategy that underpins them, and playing your part in the development of the City's infrastructure for the 21st Century.

What You'll Be Doing:

Tunnel and Geotechnical Design Leadership:

• Leading the geotechnical design of large-diameter (D > 10 m) TBM tunnels, including the TBM crossover caverns at rail junctions — ground treatment and pre-support, temporary and permanent support design, and excavation sequencing (SEM/NATM) of cavern and enlargement works.

• Leading deep excavation (> 30 m) methodology studies for stations, shafts and cross-passages — comparison and selection of retention systems (diaphragm wall, secant pile, top-down), base stability, dewatering and groundwater control, and the resulting construction methodology.

• Directing building and utility damage assessment for third-party structures adjacent to the alignment — volume loss and settlement prediction, Stage 1 to Stage 3 damage risk assessment, protective and mitigation measures, and instrumentation & monitoring with trigger levels and response plans.

• Predicting advance and production rates for large-diameter TBM drives, and forecasting cutter intervention frequency and location — including hyperbaric versus atmospheric intervention strategy, ground treatment at intervention points, and the effect of abrasivity, mixed-face and boulder conditions on the programme.

• Owning the numerical modelling strategy (2D/3D finite element and finite difference — PLAXIS, FLAC/FLAC3D, MIDAS GTS or equivalent), soil-structure interaction, groundwater and seismic assessment, and technically reviewing the team's analyses.

Ground Investigation and Geotechnical Reporting:

• Collecting, reviewing and interpreting existing and historical ground investigation data from adjacent and previous projects, and producing the project Geotechnical Interpretative Report (GIR), the geotechnical design parameters and, where required, the Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR).

• Defining the ground investigation requirements for new projects — scope, technical specification, borehole layout and depths, in-situ and advanced laboratory testing schedules and geophysical surveys — and preparing the associated tender documents and technical evaluation.

• Managing the ground investigation programme from procurement to close-out: supervision of the GI contractor, factual report review, schedule and budget control, and timely integration of the results into the design.

TBM Operations and Constructability:

• Carrying out and documenting TBM optioning studies — machine type (EPB / slurry / variable density / hybrid), diameter, cutterhead and cutting tool configuration, back-up arrangement and segmental lining — with a clear and auditable basis of selection.

• Developing the TBM procurement and manufacturing plan (technical specification, manufacturing and factory acceptance programme, delivery and assembly schedule) together with the segment casting yard and site establishment plan.

• Preparing and documenting tunnelling logistics plans — launch and reception shafts, muck haulage and disposal, slurry treatment and separation plant, segment supply, annulus grouting, ventilation, power and water supply — and issuing them as method statements, technical notes and design reports.

Team, Resource and Sub-Consultant Management:

• Managing and directing the work of the existing geotechnical and tunnelling staff — workload planning, task allocation, technical direction, quality checking prior to submission, and mentoring.

• Supporting the Director and Technical Director in strengthening the team — identifying resource gaps, defining roles, interviewing and recruiting new staff.

• Selecting, scoping and contracting specialist sub-consultants and third-party service providers (ground investigation contractors, numerical analysis specialists, instrumentation and monitoring providers), and managing their technical and commercial delivery.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering; an MSc or PhD in Geotechnical or Tunnelling Engineering is strongly preferred.

• Minimum 10 years' relevant post-graduate work experience in geotechnical and tunnel engineering, of which at least 3 years must be on large-diameter TBM rail or metro tunnelling projects in a lead or principal role, is mandatory.

• Demonstrable, project-specific experience in each of the following: large-diameter (D > 10 m) TBM tunnel design; mined crossover cavern and junction design; deep (> 30 m) excavation and shaft design; third-party building damage assessment; and TBM production rate and cutter intervention prediction.

• Proven authorship of Geotechnical Interpretative Reports (GIR) and ground investigation specifications, and hands-on management of GI campaigns from scoping through to design integration.

• A recognised technical authority in tunnelling geotechnics — the depth of specialisation typically developed within a dedicated tunnelling and geotechnical consultancy, rather than a generalist civil engineering background.

• Advanced user of geotechnical numerical analysis software (PLAXIS 2D/3D, FLAC/FLAC3D, MIDAS GTS or equivalent).

• Prior experience providing guidance and leadership to junior engineers and managing sub-consultants.

• Strong communication skills, written and oral, in English.

• Dedication to technical excellence, innovation, and high-quality delivery.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Previous experience in the UAE and GCC is an advantage; RTA, Dubai Metro, Etihad Rail or equivalent regional rail experience is a distinct advantage.

• Experience gained with a specialist tunnelling / geotechnical consultancy on major metro, high-speed rail or road tunnel programmes.

• Familiarity with compressed-air and hyperbaric intervention practice and with ITA / BTS guidance and international tunnelling codes.

• Experience in design delivery of cut-and-cover and covered tunnels.

• Experience of instrumentation and monitoring systems, automated data acquisition and monitoring data management platforms.

• Experience working in an ISO 19650 BIM-compliant environment and software in a Common Data Environment.

• Chartered or professional registration (CEng MICE / MIStructE, PE, or internationally recognised equivalent).

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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