Tunnel Inspector - NATM Gallery Works

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

Tunnel Inspector - NATM Gallery Works Job Snapshot Role: Tunnel Inspector - NATM Gallery Works Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Industry: Civil Engineering Function: Building-Construction Inspection Experience: Minimum 8 years Job Type: Full-time

Position Overview Tunnel Inspector - NATM Gallery Works in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a Civil Engineering role supporting NATM excavation, TBM interfaces, underground galleries, station connections, temporary support, instrumentation monitoring, and tunnel construction quality. Parsons Corporation is hiring an experienced inspector to supervise complex underground works, verify actual ground conditions against design assumptions, monitor excavation and support sequences, and coordinate multidisciplinary controls across metro and large-scale tunneling activities.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates City: Dubai Industry: Civil Engineering Function: Building-Construction Inspection Salary: 14000-21000 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 position concentrates on the interfaces where NATM galleries, station structures, shafts, and mechanized tunneling operations converge. The inspector will evaluate excavation behavior, geological conditions, ground support, structural connections, survey geometry, and instrumentation results as construction progresses. Close field control is essential to manage deformation and groundwater risks, maintain safe interaction with advancing TBMs, and ensure underground structures are completed according to approved engineering requirements.

Key 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.

Ideal Profile

• 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.
• Competence with computer software used for inspection reporting and project records.
• 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.
• Ability to maintain inspection quality and sound judgment under demanding underground construction schedules.

Skills Set

• 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
• Settlement and deformation monitoring
• Instrumentation and Monitoring
• Groundwater assessment
• Tunnel dewatering
• Excavation profile verification
• Tunnel survey coordination
• TBM break-in and break-out
• TBM breakthrough operations
• Launching and retrieval shafts
• Temporary works inspection
• Inspection Test Plans
• QA-QC compliance
• NCR and RFI coordination
• As-built documentation
• HSE compliance

Why Join Us

Underground gallery construction requires inspectors who can interpret changing geology while simultaneously controlling excavation support, structural interfaces, monitoring data, and TBM interaction. This role provides specialist exposure to NATM and mechanized tunneling within complex station and shaft environments, building valuable expertise for major metro, transportation, and underground infrastructure programs across Dubai and the wider Gulf region.

About the Company

Parsons Corporation undertakes technically demanding infrastructure programs involving rail, underground structures, transportation networks, and urban development. Its Middle East construction teams integrate tunneling, geotechnical engineering, structural supervision, surveying, instrumentation, quality control, and safety disciplines to manage underground works through excavation, structural integration, testing, and final delivery.