Tunnel Engineer - TBM Survey Operations

Parsons; Dubai; On-site; AED 223,000 - 335,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons Corporation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is seeking a Tunnel Engineer - TBM Survey Operations to support survey control, alignment verification, and construction supervision for TBM-driven tunnel works. You will assist with resident engineer reviews and control network management, ensuring machine alignment and accurate as-built records.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil/Geomatics Engineering and has 8+ years of TBM tunneling or major infrastructure survey

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Civil/Geomatics Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in TBM tunnel construction or major infrastructure surveying.
• Proficiency with survey software and alignment control systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist Resident Engineer in supervising TBM survey works and reviews.
• Prepare daily/weekly surveys showing alignment performance and deviations.
• Monitor TBM operations and settlement/heave data.
• Review traverse calculations and tunnel center points at stations.
• Support 3D measurements before/after breakthrough and during TBM break-in.

Skills

TBM surveying

Tunnel alignment control

3D tunnel measurements

Trave​rse calculations

TBM guidance systems

Settlement monitoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Geomatics/Surveying background

Tools

Total stations

3D scanners

Laser guidance equipment

Job description

Tunnel Engineer - TBM Survey Operations Job Snapshot

Role: Tunnel Engineer - TBM Survey Operations

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Surveying

Experience: Minimum 8 years

Job Type: Full-time

Position Overview: Tunnel Engineer - TBM Survey Operations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a specialist Civil Engineering role supporting survey control, alignment verification, and construction supervision for TBM-driven tunnel works. Parsons Corporation is hiring an experienced engineer to assist the Resident Engineer - Tunnels with tunnel survey reviews, TBM guidance checks, control network management, breakthrough preparation, settlement monitoring, and accurate as-built documentation for complex underground infrastructure.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Dubai

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Surveying

Salary: 20000-30000

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

The Tunnel Engineer will support the survey and geometric control of TBM construction from initial underground control establishment through tunnel advancement, breakthrough, interface works, and final as-built verification. The position is important to maintaining machine alignment, ring installation accuracy, station connections, and tunnel geometry within approved tolerances. Close coordination with surveyors, contractors, instrumentation teams, and tunnel engineers will help identify alignment trends early and reduce the risk of costly geometric corrections.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Resident Engineer - Tunnels in supervising and reviewing survey works associated with TBM tunnel construction.
• Prepare daily and weekly survey reports showing alignment performance, deviations, trends, and outstanding technical concerns.
• Contribute survey-related information to risk registers and non-conformance reports where required.
• Monitor TBM operations through routine alignment checks and surface movement observations.
• Review settlement and heave monitoring information related to tunneling activities.
• Check traverse calculations and confirm proper implementation of tunnel center points at stations.
• Review tunnel virtual axis calculations and verify that TBM movement remains within specified tolerances.
• Establish and maintain primary and secondary control networks within underground works.
• Review the transfer of surface survey control through shafts into tunnel environments.
• Support TBM survey software applications used for segment ring installation on horizontal and vertical curves.
• Review guidance calculations, laser target extensions, and alignment information supplied to the TBM.
• Check TBM roll, pitch, and yaw data and report abnormal deviations to senior engineering personnel.
• Participate in precise alignment surveys required before tunnel breakthrough.
• Coordinate breakthrough survey activities with receiving shaft and tunnel teams.
• Support 3D measurements before and after breakthrough and during TBM break-in and break-out operations.
• Conduct or review measurements associated with annex locations and tunnel interfaces.
• Assist with wriggle surveys and final as-built survey activities.
• Use verified survey information to identify locations where special segment rings may be necessary.
• Review setting-out points for NATM connections and annex structures.
• Support dimensional survey checks for tunnel segment moulds and precast elements during production.
• Review survey-related shop drawings, method statements, calculations, and technical documents.
• Provide field support when alignment or survey issues require immediate technical attention.
• Coordinate with surveyors, inspectors, engineers, and contractor personnel to resolve routine survey discrepancies.
• Maintain daily survey logs, control records, alignment documentation, and progress information.
• Support preparation of accurate tunnel as-built records.
• Contribute survey and alignment data to weekly and monthly construction progress reporting.
• Verify the validity of calibration and maintenance records for total stations, prisms, targets, 3D scanners, and TBM-integrated sensors.
• Coordinate with instrumentation and monitoring teams to compare survey information with geotechnical measurements.
• Support emergency survey activities following unexpected ground movement, TBM stoppages, or abnormal tunnel conditions.
• Ensure surveying activities follow project specifications, ITA guidance, applicable local requirements, and RTA safety procedures.

Ideal Profile

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 and have at least 8 years of relevant professional experience.

• Experience in TBM tunnel construction, tunnel surveying, or major infrastructure projects.
• Previous metro project exposure is strongly preferred.
• Practical understanding of TBM operating principles and underground construction sequences.
• Familiarity with tunnel survey software and alignment control systems.
• Experience using total stations, laser guidance equipment, prisms, targets, and 3D scanners.
• Ability to review traverse calculations, alignment information, three-dimensional measurements, and setting-out data.
• Understanding of tunnel components including steel ribs, shotcrete, precast segments, and mobile scaffold systems.
• Familiarity with NATM interfaces and tunnel connection works.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and approved method statements.
• Working knowledge of as-built survey preparation and tunnel geometry documentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant engineering or survey software.
• UAE or GCC consultancy or construction experience is advantageous.
• Ability to recognize minor alignment or construction issues and elevate them appropriately.
• Strong coordination skills when working with engineers, surveyors, inspectors, and contractors.
• Good written and verbal English communication skills.
• Strong commitment to survey accuracy, underground safety, and technical documentation.

Skills Set

• TBM surveying
• Tunnel alignment control
• Metro tunnel construction
• Underground surveying
• Traverse calculations
• Tunnel center points
• Tunnel virtual axis
• TBM guidance systems
• Laser target extension
• Roll pitch and yaw monitoring
• Primary control networks
• Secondary control networks
• Shaft control transfer
• Ring installation surveys
• Horizontal curve alignment
• Vertical curve alignment
• Breakthrough surveying
• Break-in surveys
• Break-out surveys
• Wriggle surveys
• 3D tunnel measurements
• Settlement monitoring
• Heave monitoring
• NATM interfacesPrecast segment surveys
• Mould dimensional checks
• As-built surveys
• Total station
• Laser guidance
• 3D scanners
• Survey equipment calibration
• Geotechnical monitoring coordination
• Alignment deviation analysis
• ITA guidelines
• RTA safety procedures

Why Join Us

Major underground transport and infrastructure programs require precise survey control throughout every stage of TBM advancement. This position offers direct exposure to machine guidance, tunnel geometry, breakthrough preparation, control network management, instrumentation coordination, and detailed as-built verification. It provides a strong platform for engineers who want to deepen specialist expertise in high-accuracy metro and tunneling projects while taking on greater technical responsibility within construction supervision.

About the Company

Parsons Corporation is a global engineering and technology organization delivering major transportation, infrastructure, urban development, and underground construction programs. In the Middle East, Parsons supports complex metro, tunnel, road, and utility projects through engineering design, construction supervision, surveying, project management, digital delivery, and specialist technical services.