Ground Engineer – Tunnelling

Overview

The Ground & Tunnel Engineer supports or leads the design, assessment, and substantiation of tunnels, shafts, and underground structures within multidisciplinary teams. You’ll apply geotechnical and structural analysis to assess stability, ground interaction, and excavation methods, ensuring safe, feasible solutions. You work with cross-functional groups to review designs and deliver validated technical work packages. This role offers a chance to shape underground design through advanced modelling and technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Structural and geotechnical analysis, modelling and calculations for tunnels, shafts, underground structures, and excavation works
• Preparation and review of technical reports, specifications, design documentation, and substantiation
• Assessment of ground–structure interaction, excavation stability, tunnel linings, settlement, and construction‑stage behaviour
• Evaluation of tunnel construction methods and feasibility
• Coordination with geotechnical, civil, structural, construction, safety, and systems engineering teams
• Participation in or leadership of design reviews, assurance activities, and resolution of technical queries
• Management of scope of work and third‑party technical inputs (Lead/Expert levels)
• Delivery oversight of technical work packages and validation of engineering solutions (Lead/Expert levels)
• Mentoring junior engineers and supporting continuous improvement

Key requirements

• Degree‑qualified; working toward Chartered status or equivalent competence
• Experience in tunnelling or underground works within regulated sectors
• Familiar with numerical modelling tools (e.g., FLAC, PLAXIS) and geotechnical design principles
• Chartered or equivalent senior experience (Lead Engineer/Engineering manager)
• Leads tunnelling design packages and coordinates multidisciplinary interfaces
• Strong capability in tunnel alignment development, excavation support systems, lining design, and underground structures
• Oversees delivery of technical work packages and engages with reviewers and stakeholders
• Chartered with extensive experience in rock mechanics, geotechnical engineering, or underground works (Expert/SME)
• Provides specialist advice, independent technical reviews, and expert judgement on complex underground structures
• Experienced in rock mass stability, advanced soil/rock modelling, and geotechnical risk management
• Supports regulatory engagement and construction‑stage problem solving
• Tunnelling Design, Geotechnical Engineering, Numerical Modelling, Structural Analysis
• Ground–Structure Interaction, Construction Methods
• Engineering Codes, Multidisciplinary Coordination
• Technical Assurance, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement
• Leadership, Advanced Rock Mechanics

• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Stakeholder engagement
• Mentoring engineers
• Tunnelling Design
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Numerical Modelling (FLAC, PLAXIS)

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