NATM Tunnel Inspector - TBM & Gallery Expert

Parsons; Dubai; On-site; AED 156,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons Corporation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is seeking a Tunnel Inspector to supervise NATM gallery works and TBM interfaces for major underground projects. The role focuses on excavation behavior, ground conditions, temporary supports, and quality control across station connections and galleries.

You will lead field inspections, coordinate with geotechnical, surveying and instrumentation teams, review drawings and method statements, ensure safety, and deliver accurate reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 8 years of construction supervision experience.
• At least 4 years of experience involving TBM tunnel or gallery operations on major tunneling or infrastructure projects.
• Completion of at least one tunnel or gallery project from commencement through final completion.
• Extensive knowledge of NATM operating and excavation sequences is mandatory.
• Strong understanding of excavation support classes and observational tunneling principles.
• Practical knowledge of shotcrete, rock bolts, steel ribs, lattice girders, waterproofing, drainage and permanent lining works.
• Familiarity with geological face mapping and changing underground ground conditions.
• Understanding of tunnel convergence, settlement, deformation and instrumentation monitoring.
• Experience coordinating NATM works with TBM operations, shafts and station structures.
• Knowledge of QA-QC procedures, Inspection Test Plans and construction material testing.
• Ability to identify non-conforming TBM activities and defects affecting installed precast segments.
• Proficiency in interpreting drawings, specifications, method statements and technical submissions.
• Strong construction documentation and record-management capability.
• Metro rail or other large-scale tunneling experience is highly desirable.
• UAE or GCC project experience is preferred.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Support the Resident Engineer in supervising tunnel galleries, connections to main tunnels, station interfaces, shafts, and related underground works.
• Oversee NATM gallery excavation in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, excavation sequences, method statements, and temporary works requirements.
• Follow complete NATM cycles covering excavation, scaling, initial support, shotcrete, rock bolts, lattice girders, steel ribs, wire mesh, forepoling, spiles, drainage, waterproofing, and invert works.
• Confirm that excavation and support measures correspond with approved excavation classes, support classes, geological conditions, and observational method requirements.
• Work with geotechnical specialists to compare encountered ground behavior with design assumptions and determine whether support modifications are required.
• Monitor geological face mapping and document rock quality, fractures, joints, groundwater, cavities, weak zones, and other adverse conditions.
• Track tunnel convergence, settlement, deformation, crown movement, face stability, and associated instrumentation readings.
• Coordinate with Instrumentation and Monitoring personnel to assess results against approved trigger, alert, and action thresholds.
• Escalate abnormal monitoring trends and support implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.
• Inspect shotcrete surface preparation, thickness, reinforcement or fibre content, approved mix requirements, rebound control, curing, and testing.
• Verify temporary support installation against approved design details and construction sequences.
• Check excavation geometry with the Survey Team, including alignment, chainage, levels, dimensions, profiles, overcut, and undercut.
• Inspect gallery setting-out, pilot excavation, enlargement, scaling, support installation, waterproofing, reinforcement and permanent concrete lining.
• Monitor groundwater ingress and verify suitable dewatering, drainage and temporary support measures.
• Coordinate gallery excavation running alongside advancing TBM operations to maintain safe separation and avoid construction conflicts.
• Inspect gallery and station headwall connections to the main tunnel, including openings, structural interfaces, reinforcement continuity, drainage, waterproofing and final lining.
• Coordinate field resolutions with Structural, Geotechnical, Survey, Design and Instrumentation and Monitoring disciplines.
• Supervise TBM station approach activities and interfaces involving break-in, breakthrough and break-out.
• Inspect installation of seal rings, cradles, push frames and associated TBM interface components.
• Monitor preparation of launching and retrieval shafts for TBM assembly and disassembly where applicable.
• Observe TBM dismantling, assembly, lifting, lowering, shifting and positioning within station areas.
• Confirm compliance with approved lifting plans and method statements during heavy equipment movements.
• Evaluate risks created by TBM operations beneath or adjacent to station structures and coordinate enhanced monitoring where required.
• Review daily NATM excavation records, survey reports, instrumentation data, testing documentation and construction reports.
• Examine shop drawings, method statements, temporary works proposals, design submissions, technical proposals and Inspection Test Plans.
• Provide field-level technical guidance to contractors regarding specifications, construction methodology, quality controls and HSE requirements.
• Monitor contractor manpower, equipment, work fronts, sequencing and planned production against construction requirements.
• Identify non-conforming works and coordinate observations, NCRs, RFIs, corrective measures and closeout documentation.
• Maintain complete inspection, support installation, survey, testing and as-built records.
• Participate in technical, progress, interface and construction meetings with contractors, subcontractors, designers, authorities and other project stakeholders.

Skills

NATM excavation

TBM tunnel operations

Underground gallery construction

Station tunnel interfaces

Geological face mapping

Observational tunneling method

Excavation support classes

Shotcrete inspection

Rock bolt installation

Lattice girders

Steel rib supports

Forepoling and spiles

Tunnel waterproofing

Permanent concrete lining

Tunnel convergence monitoring

Instrumentation and Monitoring

Groundwater assessment

Tunnel dewatering

Tunnel survey coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Inspection reporting software

Job description

Parsons Corporation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is seeking a Tunnel Inspector to supervise NATM gallery works and TBM interfaces for major underground projects. The role focuses on excavation behavior, ground conditions, temporary supports, and quality control across station connections and galleries.

You will lead field inspections, coordinate with geotechnical, surveying and instrumentation teams, review drawings and method statements, ensure safety, and deliver accurate reports.