TBM Inspector - Underground Tunnel Operations

Parsons; Dubai; On-site; AED 161,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons is seeking an experienced TBM Inspector to oversee underground tunnel operations in Dubai. You will supervise mechanized excavation, segment lining, and grout activities while monitoring TBM performance and adherence to project specs.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in tunnel construction supervision, including 4+ years on large-diameter TBM projects, with strong QA/QC and HSE discipline. UAE/GCC tunnelling experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of construction supervision experience.
• At least 4 years supervising large-diameter TBM tunnel operations.

Responsibilities

• Support the Resident Engineer in supervising mechanized tunnel excavation, lining installation, and segment repair activities.
• Monitor TBM excavation against approved drive instruction sheets, method statements, ITPs, protocols, and contract specifications.
• Verify operating parameters assigned for each TBM drive and record significant deviations.
• Observe face pressure, advance rate, cutterhead torque, thrust force, cutterhead RPM, screw conveyor behavior, muck characteristics, and other machine performance data.
• Coordinate with geotechnical teams and instrumentation during TBM passage through critical zones.

Skills

TBM tunnelling

Earth Pressure Balance TBM

Large-diameter tunnel construction

TBM parameter monitoring

Face pressure control

Groundwater monitoring

QA/QC

HSE compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Instrumentation and monitoring

Job description

Job Snapshot

Role: TBM Inspector - Underground Tunnel Operations

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Building-Construction Inspection

Experience: Minimum 8 years

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: 16000-24000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.

Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any

Role Context

This position provides continuous technical surveillance of TBM excavation and lining operations where machine parameters must remain compatible with changing ground conditions and nearby assets.

The inspector evaluates the relationship between face support, excavation performance, grouting, segment installation, settlement behavior, and geological conditions. Accurate intervention at this level is important for controlling ground movement, preventing water ingress, protecting existing roads and structures, and maintaining consistent tunnel production without compromising safety or quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Resident Engineer in supervising mechanized tunnel excavation, lining installation, and segment repair activities.
• Monitor TBM excavation against approved drive instruction sheets, method statements, Inspection and Test Plans, protocols, and contract specifications.
• Verify operating parameters assigned for each TBM drive and record significant deviations.
• Observe face pressure, advance rate, cutterhead torque, thrust force, cutterhead RPM, screw conveyor behavior, muck characteristics, and other machine performance data.
• Evaluate unusual parameter trends against the TBM location, anticipated geology, and proximity to buildings, roads, utilities, structures, and waterways.
• Promptly report conditions that could indicate face instability, ground loss, excessive settlement, or operational risk.
• Inspect annular gap and backfill grouting behind installed tunnel segments.
• Verify grout mix, injection sequence, pressure, volume, continuity, and other specified grouting requirements.
• Monitor ring erection and check segment identification, positioning, gasket integrity, joint alignment, lips and steps, and overall ring build quality.
• Examine installed precast segments for cracking, edge damage, moisture, leakage, or other defects.
• Classify lining defects against contractual criteria and follow approved segment repair procedures.
• Track routine TBM activities including tail seal grease application, grout supply, segment handling, foam consumption, and maintenance operations.
• Work closely with contractor shift personnel to maintain consistent inspection coverage throughout tunnelling operations.
• Review shift and daily records covering excavation performance, ring installation, grouting, and relevant TBM data.
• Escalate excessive grout pressure, loss of face pressure, unexpected groundwater, abnormal geology, settlement, or other conditions threatening tunnel stability.
• Coordinate with instrumentation and monitoring teams during TBM passage through critical zones.
• Compare observed settlement and movement against allowable design limits and established monitoring thresholds.
• Request geotechnical assessment when machine behavior or monitoring data indicates unexpected changes in ground response.
• Coordinate findings with geotechnical specialists where encountered conditions differ from approved design assumptions.
• Review tunnelling method statements, material submissions, test plans, technical proposals, and supporting construction documents.
• Submit technically supported comments and recommendations to the Resident Engineer.
• Assist supervision teams with excavation, segment erection, backfill grouting, waterproofing, drainage, and related underground works.
• Coordinate with design engineers when structural or constructability issues emerge during tunnel advance.
• Inspect temporary and permanent drainage systems needed for safe and reliable underground operations.
• Participate in incident investigations and determine contributing or root causes relevant to tunnelling activities.
• Follow corrective and preventive actions through implementation and timely closeout.
• Monitor production against the approved baseline program and planned construction sequence.
• Flag forecast delays, production constraints, and emerging risks that may affect tunnelling milestones.
• Maintain complete and traceable inspection records, machine information, construction documentation, and as-built data.
• Assist with construction risk identification and development of practical mitigation measures.
• Verify compliance with approved HSE, management, and QA/QC plans.
• Supervise relevant contractor activities during TBM assembly and disassembly.
• Coordinate TBM transportation between ports and construction sites or between project locations.
• Support road and access surveys required to establish feasible transportation routes for major machine components.
• Monitor preparation for planned and unplanned TBM interventions.
• Review geological face mapping undertaken during interventions.
• Compare encountered rock quality, fractures, joints, groundwater levels, weak zones, cavities, and other geological features against approved design conditions.
• Maintain timely communication between TBM operations, construction supervision, geotechnical, instrumentation, design, and contractor teams.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor 's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 8 years of construction supervision experience.
• At least 4 years of hands-on supervision experience involving large-diameter TBM tunnel operations.
• Proven involvement in major tunnel or infrastructure construction programs.
• Completion of at least one TBM tunnel project from commencement through final completion is required.
• Extensive knowledge of TBM operational sequences is mandatory.
• Previous Earth Pressure Balance TBM experience is preferred.
• Strong understanding of how operating parameters influence face stability, ground response, and tunnel performance.
• Practical knowledge of precast segment erection, lining defects, repair techniques, and backfill grouting.
• Familiarity with QA/QC processes, material testing, and Inspection and Test Plans.
• Skilled in interpreting shop drawings, specifications, technical reports, and construction documentation.
• Able to identify operational nonconformances and defects in installed tunnel segments.
• Familiar with instrumentation, settlement monitoring, and geotechnical coordination around sensitive assets.
• Strong attention to detail when reviewing machine and shift data.
• Organized approach to inspection documentation, records, and reporting.
• Proficient with computer applications used for reporting and construction record management.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Metro rail or other major underground infrastructure experience is highly desirable.
• UAE or GCC tunnelling experience and familiarity with regional requirements are advantageous.
• Able to operate effectively during demanding tunnelling shifts and time-critical construction activities.
• Strong commitment to safe mechanized underground construction.

Skills Set

• TBM tunnelling
• Earth Pressure Balance TBM
• Large-diameter tunnel construction
• TBM parameter monitoring
• Drive instruction sheets
• Face pressure control
• Cutterhead torque
• Cutterhead RPM
• Thrust force monitoring
• Advance rate monitoring
• Screw conveyor parameters
• Muck assessment
• Ground stability monitoring
• Settlement monitoring
• Instrumentation and monitoring
• Annular gap grouting
• Backfill grouting
• Segmental tunnel lining
• Ring erection
• Segment defect inspection
• Segment repair
• Gasket inspection
• Tail seal grease
• Foam consumption
• Tunnel waterproofing
• Tunnel drainage
• Geological face mapping
• Geotechnical coordination
• Groundwater monitoring
• TBM interventions
• TBM assembly and disassembly
• Inspection and Test Plans
• QA/QC
• Method statement review
• Construction risk assessment
• Root‑cause investigation
• Corrective and preventive actions
• HSE complianceProgress monitoring
• As‑built records
• Underground construction reporting

Why Join Us

Large-diameter TBM construction demands specialist judgement that extends well beyond routine civil inspection. This role provides direct involvement in machine‑ground interaction, segmental lining performance, urban settlement control, geotechnical response, interventions, and underground construction risk. The technical depth of this experience can strengthen a career path toward Senior Tunnel Inspector, TBM Engineer, Tunnel Construction Engineer, Assistant Resident Engineer, or specialist underground works leadership.

About the Company

Parsons Corporation is a global engineering, technology, and infrastructure organization with extensive involvement in complex transportation and civil development programs. Its multidisciplinary project teams support major underground infrastructure through engineering, tunnelling expertise, construction supervision, project controls, safety management, and technical delivery services.