Tunnel Engineer - TBM Alignment Survey

Parsons; Dubai; On-site; AED 190,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons Corporation is seeking a Tunnel Engineer - TBM Alignment Survey in Dubai to provide high-precision survey support for TBM tunnel construction. You will review control networks, traverse calculations, and TBM guidance data while coordinating with instrumentation teams and construction crews to maintain alignment within design tolerances.

The role emphasizes 3D measurements, NATM interfaces, and breakthrough surveys, requiring strong experience with total stations, laser guidance systems,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of TBM tunnel construction surveying experience on major infrastructure projects.
• Metro tunneling experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with total stations, laser guidance systems, 3D scanners, survey targets, and tunnel alignment principles.

Responsibilities

• Support the Resident Engineer - Tunnels in supervising survey activities for TBM construction.
• Prepare daily and weekly survey reports on alignment status, progress, deviations, and trends.
• Analyze survey data and identify movement or alignment approaching tolerances.
• Coordinate with surveyors, instrumentation specialists, inspectors, and contractor teams.
• Monitor TBM advance through regular horizontal and vertical alignment checks.
• Review control networks, traverse calculations, and 3D survey data for accuracy.
• Review and verify as-built surveys and underground control networks.

Skills

TBM survey engineering

Tunnel surveying

Metro tunneling

Underground survey control

Traverse calculations

Primary control networks

Secondary control networks

Tunnel center points

Tunnel virtual axis

TBM alignment

Alignment tolerances

Horizontal alignment

Vertical alignment

TBM guidance systems

Laser guidance

Laser target extension

TBM roll

TBM pitch

TBM yaw

Segment ring installation

Tunnel breakthrough surveys

TBM break-in surveys

TBM break-out surveys

Receiving shaft surveys

3D tunnel measurements

Wriggle surveys

As-built surveys

NATM interfaces

Annex surveying

Setting-out

Precast segment surveys

Mould dimensional checks

Total stations

Prisms

Survey targets

3D scanners

TBM integrated sensors

Settlement monitoring

Heave monitoring

Instrumentation and Monitoring

Geotechnical monitoring

Alignment trend analysis

Survey reporting

Non-conformance reporting

Risk registers

Shop drawing review

Method statement review

Equipment calibration

ITA guidelines

RTA requirements

Underground construction

Tunnel safety

Emergency surveying

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Geomatics

Tools

Total stations

Laser guidance systems

3D scanners

Survey targets

Tunnel alignment principles

Job description

Job Snapshot

Tunnel Engineer - TBM Alignment Survey Job Snapshot Role: Tunnel Engineer - TBM Alignment Survey Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Industry: Civil Engineering Function: Surveying Experience: Minimum 8 years Job Type: Full-time Position Overview Tunnel Engineer - TBM Alignment Survey in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a Civil Engineering opportunity focused on tunnel survey control, TBM guidance, alignment verification, underground control networks, breakthrough surveys, NATM interfaces, 3D measurements, and instrumentation coordination. Parsons Corporation is hiring an experienced survey-focused tunnel engineer to support the Resident Engineer - Tunnels in maintaining geometric accuracy, monitoring ground movement, reviewing survey calculations, and ensuring TBM construction remains within approved design and safety tolerances. Job Details Country: United Arab Emirates City: Dubai Industry: Civil Engineering Function: Surveying Salary: 17000-26000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer. Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

This role provides technical survey support for high-precision TBM tunnel construction where small alignment errors can affect ring installation, station interfaces, breakthrough accuracy, and long-term tunnel geometry. The Tunnel Engineer will review control networks, traverse calculations, guidance data, settlement information, and as-built measurements while coordinating with surveyors, instrumentation specialists, inspectors, and contractor teams. Reliable survey control will help maintain tunnel position, identify deviation trends early, and support safe underground construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Resident Engineer - Tunnels in supervising survey activities associated with TBM construction.
• Prepare daily and weekly survey reports covering alignment status, progress, deviations, and emerging trends.
• Analyze survey data and highlight movement or alignment conditions approaching specified tolerances.
• Contribute technical information to risk registers, non-conformance reports, and corrective action processes.
• Monitor TBM advance through regular horizontal and vertical alignment checks.
• Coordinate surface settlement and heave monitoring associated with tunneling operations.
• Review tunnel traverse calculations and verify the reliability of underground survey control.
• Support implementation of tunnel center points at stations and critical interfaces.
• Review tunnel virtual axis calculations used for TBM positioning and guidance.
• Check that the TBM remains within approved alignment tolerances throughout excavation.
• Establish and maintain primary and secondary survey control networks within tunnels and shafts.
• Verify transfer of surface coordinates and elevations into underground control networks.
• Review control closures, benchmarks, and reference points as the tunnel advances.
• Support use of TBM survey systems for segment ring installation through horizontal and vertical curves.
• Review guidance calculations, laser target extensions, and machine alignment inputs.
• Check TBM roll, pitch, and yaw data and elevate abnormal deviations.
• Participate in detailed survey preparations for TBM breakthrough.
• Coordinate with receiving shaft teams to verify expected breakthrough location.
• Support high-accuracy alignment measurements before and after breakthrough.
• Conduct or review 3D measurements during TBM break-in and break-out activities.
• Verify survey information at annexes and other underground interfaces.
• Support wriggle surveys to assess completed tunnel geometry.
• Review as-built survey information and confirm records accurately reflect constructed conditions.
• Use survey results to identify zones where special segment rings or geometric adjustments may be required.
• Review setting-out points for NATM tunnel connections and annex interfaces.
• Support dimensional survey checks of moulds and precast tunnel segments during production.
• Review survey-related shop drawings, method statements, technical submissions, and construction documents.
• Provide field support where survey or alignment issues affect ongoing tunnel operations.
• Coordinate with surveyors, inspectors, contractor engineers, and construction teams to resolve routine technical issues.
• Maintain accurate survey logs, alignment records, calculations, and progress information.
• Support preparation of weekly and monthly reports covering TBM alignment and survey activities.
• Verify calibration and maintenance records for total stations, prisms, survey targets, scanners, and integrated TBM sensors.
• Coordinate with Instrumentation and Monitoring teams to compare survey data with geotechnical readings.
• Review settlement, movement, and alignment information collectively to assess tunnel behavior.
• Ensure survey operations comply with project specifications, applicable ITA guidance, and local regulatory requirements.
• Support emergency survey activities following unexpected ground movement or TBM stoppage.
• Follow RTA safety procedures and approved tunnel access requirements.
• Promote accurate, controlled, and safe survey practices within underground work areas.

Ideal Profile

Candidates should hold a Bachelor 's degree in Civil Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related discipline from an accredited university. A minimum of 8 years of experience is required in TBM tunnel construction, surveying, or major infrastructure projects. Previous metro tunneling experience is strongly preferred. Applicants should have a practical understanding of TBM operations, tunneling sequences, segment installation, and underground construction methods. Experience with total stations, laser guidance systems, 3D scanners, survey targets, and tunnel alignment principles is required. Candidates should be able to review traverses, setting-out points, alignment calculations, tunnel axes, and 3D survey data. Knowledge of precast segments, steel ribs, shotcrete, NATM interfaces, and temporary access systems will support effective coordination. Applicants should be comfortable interpreting engineering drawings, method statements, survey plans, and construction documentation. Experience supporting as-built surveys and underground control networks will be valuable. Working knowledge of MS Office and engineering or survey software is required. UAE or GCC experience within consultancy or construction environments will be advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate strong attention to accuracy, disciplined record keeping, safety awareness, and effective coordination with engineers, surveyors, and contractors.

Skills Set

• TBM survey engineering
• Tunnel surveying
• Metro tunneling
• Underground survey control
• Traverse calculations
• Primary control networks
• Secondary control networks
• Tunnel center points
• Tunnel virtual axis
• TBM alignment
• Alignment tolerances
• Horizontal alignment
• Vertical alignment
• TBM guidance systems
• Laser guidance
• Laser target extension
• TBM roll
• TBM pitch
• TBM yaw
• Segment ring installation
• Tunnel breakthrough surveys
• TBM break-in surveys
• TBM break-out surveys
• Receiving shaft surveys
• 3D tunnel measurements
• Wriggle surveys
• As-built surveys
• NATM interfaces
• Annex surveying
• Setting-out
• Precast segment surveys
• Mould dimensional checks
• Total stations
• Prisms
• Survey targets
• 3D scanners
• TBM integrated sensors
• Settlement monitoring
• Heave monitoring
• Instrumentation and Monitoring
• Geotechnical monitoring
• Alignment trend analysis
• Survey reporting
• Non-conformance reporting
• Risk registers
• Shop drawing review
• Method statement review
• Equipment calibration
• ITA guidelines
• RTA requirements
• Underground construction
• Tunnel safety
• Emergency surveying

Why Join Us

Dubai 's continued investment in metro and underground transport infrastructure creates strong demand for engineers who understand the precision requirements of TBM alignment and tunnel surveying. This role provides specialist exposure to machine guidance, breakthrough control, underground traverses, 3D measurement, NATM interfaces, settlement monitoring, and segment production. Parsons Corporation offers the opportunity to work alongside tunnel engineers, surveyors, geotechnical specialists, instrumentation teams, inspectors, and construction professionals on technically demanding underground projects. The position supports continued development in high-accuracy survey engineering, TBM guidance systems, tunnel geometry control, and metro infrastructure delivery.

About the Company

Parsons Corporation is a global engineering and technology organization delivering transportation, infrastructure, and urban development programs. Its UAE teams provide tunnel engineering, metro infrastructure, surveying, geotechnical services, construction supervision, digital delivery, and project management across major transportation and underground developments.