Principal Tunnel Geotechnical Engineer

About the role

Parsons is seeking a Principal Tunnel Geotechnical Engineer to lead the geotechnical and tunnelling design for the Airport Express Line and other high‑profile rail, bridge and marine projects in Dubai. You will own the technical direction of large‑diameter TBM tunnels, deep excavations and associated ground investigation programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Lead design of large‑diameter (D > 10 m) TBM tunnels, crossover caverns and deep station excavations, including support design and excavation sequencing.
• Define and manage ground investigation scopes, supervise contractors, and integrate results into design and Geotechnical Interpretative Reports.
• Develop TBM procurement, optioning studies and tunnelling logistics plans, and predict advance and cutter‑head intervention rates.
• Direct numerical modelling strategy (PLAXIS, FLAC/FLAC3D, MIDAS GTS) and review team analyses.
• Manage geotechnical staff, mentor junior engineers and coordinate specialist sub‑consultants.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering; MSc or PhD strongly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of post‑graduate experience in geotechnical and tunnel engineering, with at least 3 years leading large‑diameter TBM projects.
• Proven experience delivering Geotechnical Interpretative Reports and managing full ground‑investigation programmes.

Required skills

• Advanced use of PLAXIS 2D/3D, FLAC/FLAC3D, MIDAS GTS (or equivalent) for finite element modelling.
• Design of large‑diameter TBM tunnels, mined crossover caverns and deep (>30 m) excavations.
• Ground investigation specification, supervision and data integration.
• TBM optioning, procurement planning and tunnelling logistics.
• Strong English communication, both written and oral.