Tunnel & Underground Structures Specialist

About the Role at Parsons

At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. This role as a Tunnel & Underground Structures Specialist will place you at the forefront of a high-profile railway/metro project in the UAE, providing critical technical leadership.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide specialist technical input for the concept and preliminary design of underground structures, including bored tunnels, cut-and-cover tunnels, underground stations, diaphragm walls (D-walls), and deep excavations.
• Lead or support the development of design concepts considering geotechnical conditions, groundwater, constructability, and temporary works requirements.
• Assess structural behaviour and stability, including uplift, flotation, ground-structure interaction, and settlement impacts.
• Review and develop design assumptions, calculations, and technical reports for underground works.
• Support option studies, feasibility assessments, and design development to inform programme, cost, and risk decisions.
• Coordinate closely with geotechnical, structural, civil, architectural, and systems disciplines to ensure integrated underground design solutions.
• Review designs prepared by others to confirm compliance with applicable codes, standards, and project requirements.
• Identify technical risks related to ground conditions, construction methodology, and interface with adjacent assets, and propose mitigation measures.
• Support stakeholder and authority discussions related to underground works, as required.
• Contribute to lessons learned, technical reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Skills You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Master’s Degree (MSc) in Geotechnical Engineering or Structural Engineering (required).
• Minimum 12 years of relevant professional experience in underground structures and tunnelling.
• At least 5 years’ experience working on metro or urban rail tunnel projects.
• Proven experience in concept and preliminary design of: Cut-and-cover tunnels, Underground stations, Diaphragm walls (D-walls), Deep excavations and uplift / flotation assessment.
• Strong technical expertise in underground structures and tunnel engineering.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary design teams on major infrastructure projects.

Desired Skills You'll Bring

• Solid understanding of geotechnical principles, groundwater behaviour, and soil–structure interaction.
• Ability to develop and review concept-level designs with a focus on constructability and risk.
• Experience applying relevant international codes and standards for underground works.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including technical reporting.
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments.
• Professional, proactive approach with sound engineering judgement.

Key skills/competency

• Tunnelling
• Underground Structures
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Structural Design
• Design Review
• Risk Mitigation
• Project Coordination
• Feasibility Studies
• Constructability