Tunnel Inspector - TBM Construction Operations

Parsons; Dubai; On-site; AED 179,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons Corporation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates seeks an experienced Tunnel Inspector for TBM construction operations. The role focuses on supervising TBM excavation, tunnel lining, grouting, and segment erection while ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with project plans.

The candidate should have a civil engineering degree and at least 8 years in construction supervision, including 4 years on large-diameter TBM projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of construction supervision experience.
• At least 4 years of direct supervision of large-diameter TBM tunnel operations.
• Familiarity with QA/QC processes, Inspection Test Plans and technical submittals.

Responsibilities

• Assist with supervision of TBM excavation, tunnel lining, segment repair, grouting, drainage, and related underground works.
• Monitor TBM advance against drive instruction sheets, method statements, ITPs, and contract requirements.
• Review TBM operating parameters before each drive and verify implementation during excavation.
• Track key TBM parameters (face pressure, advance rate, cutterhead torque, etc.) and assess their relation to ground conditions.
• Inspect tunnel segment erection, gasket condition, joint alignment, and ring configuration.

Skills

TBM tunneling

Tunnel construction supervision

Earth Pressure Balance

Geotechnical coordination

QA/QC proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

TBM monitoring equipment

Job description

Tunnel Inspector - TBM Construction Operations Job Snapshot

Role: Tunnel Inspector - TBM Construction Operations

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Building-Construction Inspection

Experience: Minimum 8 years

Job Type: Full-time

Job Overview

Job Overview Tunnel Inspector - TBM Construction Operations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a specialized Civil Engineering opportunity focused on large-diameter tunnel boring machine activities, segment erection, backfill grouting, ground monitoring, quality inspection, and tunnel construction supervision. Parsons Corporation is hiring an experienced TBM inspector to oversee excavation parameters, lining installation, tunnel stability, segment condition, intervention activities, and construction records while supporting safe and compliant delivery of major underground infrastructure works.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Dubai

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Building-Construction Inspection

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

Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Tunnel Inspector will provide detailed field supervision throughout TBM excavation and tunnel lining operations. Working closely with the Resident Engineer, geotechnical specialists, instrumentation teams, design engineers, QA/QC personnel, and contractor shift teams, the role will verify that machine operation and tunnel construction remain within approved technical limits. Careful monitoring of excavation behavior, lining quality, grouting performance, settlement, and ground response will help protect tunnel integrity, nearby infrastructure, public assets, and construction productivity.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Resident Engineer with supervision of TBM excavation, tunnel lining, segment repair, grouting, drainage, and associated underground construction activities.
• Monitor TBM advance against approved drive instruction sheets, method statements, ITPs, operational protocols, and contract requirements.
• Review assigned TBM operating parameters before each drive and verify their implementation during excavation.
• Track face pressure, advance rate, cutterhead torque, thrust force, cutterhead RPM, screw conveyor performance, muck behavior, and other relevant machine parameters.
• Assess the relationship between TBM operating conditions and the location of nearby roads, buildings, utilities, structures, and other sensitive assets.
• Identify abnormal machine behavior and raise immediate concerns where operating parameters may threaten tunnel or ground stability.
• Monitor Earth Pressure Balance operations where applicable and verify appropriate control of excavation pressure.
• Inspect annular gap and backfill grouting operations behind erected tunnel rings.
• Verify grout mix, pressure, injected volume, sequence, and continuity against approved requirements.
• Inspect tunnel segment erection and confirm correct identification, positioning, gasket condition, joint alignment, and ring configuration.
• Record lips, steps, offsets, damaged edges, cracks, moisture, leakage, and other segment defects.
• Confirm that segment defects are classified and repaired in accordance with approved repair procedures.
• Follow routine TBM activities including tail seal grease application, grout supply, segment handling, foam consumption, and maintenance requirements.
• Review daily and shift production reports covering excavation, ring erection, grouting, downtime, interventions, and related TBM data.
• Compare recorded information against actual site observations and machine operation.
• Report loss of face pressure, excessive grout pressure, water ingress, abnormal settlement, unusual ground behavior, or unexpected geological conditions.
• Coordinate with instrumentation and monitoring teams during TBM passage through critical zones.
• Pay particular attention to settlement beneath major roads, existing buildings, utilities, structures, waterways, and other sensitive assets.
• Confirm observed movements remain within established design, alert, and intervention limits.
• Escalate unusual ground response to geotechnical personnel for assessment against approved design assumptions.
• Support investigation of discrepancies between anticipated and encountered geological conditions.
• Review technical submissions including method statements, material submittals, test plans, technical proposals, and tunnel construction procedures.
• Prepare technical comments and recommendations for consideration by the Resident Engineer.
• Provide site-based technical assistance on tunnel excavation, segment erection, waterproofing, grouting, and lining works.
• Coordinate with design engineers regarding structural, geological, or constructability issues encountered during tunneling.
• Inspect temporary and permanent tunnel drainage arrangements to support safe and uninterrupted TBM operation.
• Participate in investigation of incidents and abnormal events.
• Assist with root cause identification and monitor corrective and preventive actions through closure.
• Track tunnel construction progress against approved baseline programmes and sequencing requirements.
• Highlight predicted production delays, operational constraints, or risks affecting planned progress.
• Maintain accurate, traceable inspection records and ensure as-built information reflects actual construction conditions.
• Support identification and mitigation of tunnel construction risks.
• Verify that TBM and tunnel activities comply with approved HSE, Management, and QA/QC plans.
• Coordinate contractor activities during TBM assembly, disassembly, and transportation.
• Support road route assessments for movement of large TBM components between ports and project sites.
• Monitor preparation for planned and unplanned TBM interventions.
• Observe geological face mapping during interventions and review encountered conditions against approved geological information.
• Record rock quality, fractures, joints, weak zones, groundwater levels, cavities, and other adverse ground features encountered during intervention works.

Ideal Profile Candidates

Candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field from an accredited institution. A minimum of 8 years of construction supervision experience is required. At least 4 years must involve direct supervision of large-diameter TBM tunnel operations on major tunneling or infrastructure projects. Applicants should have completed at least one TBM tunnel project from commencement through final completion. Extensive practical knowledge of TBM operating sequences is mandatory. Previous experience with Earth Pressure Balance machines is preferred. Candidates should understand excavation control, lining installation, segment erection, annular grouting, ground monitoring, intervention planning, and tunnel defect assessment. Applicants must be familiar with QA/QC processes, Inspection Test Plans, material testing, technical submittals, and nonconformance management. Strong ability to interpret shop drawings, project specifications, method statements, construction records, and technical reports is required. Experience detecting abnormalities in TBM operation, segment installation, ground response, and machine performance is essential. Previous metro rail or large-scale tunneling experience will be highly advantageous. Experience in the UAE or GCC and familiarity with regional standards will be preferred. Candidates should possess strong reporting, documentation, coordination, and English communication skills. A disciplined safety mindset and the ability to work under demanding tunneling conditions are essential.

Skills Set

• TBM tunneling
• Tunnel construction supervision
• Large-diameter TBM
• Earth Pressure Balance
• EPB tunneling
• Drive instruction sheets
• Face pressure control
• TBM advance monitoring
• Cutterhead torque
• Thrust force
• Cutterhead RPM
• Screw conveyor monitoring
• Muck behavior
• Segment erection
• Tunnel ring installation
• Precast tunnel segments
• Segment gasket inspection
• Ring alignment
• Segment defect assessment
• Tunnel leakage assessment
• Segment repair
• Backfill grouting
• Annular gap grouting
• Grout pressure monitoring
• Grout volume monitoring
• Tail seal grease
• Foam consumption
• TBM maintenance
• Shift reporting
• TBM operational data
• Tunnel settlement monitoring
• Instrumentation and monitoring
• Ground movement monitoring
• Geotechnical coordination
• Ground behavior assessment
• Groundwater monitoring
• Geological face mapping
• Weak zone identification
• Rock quality assessment
• Tunnel drainage
• Tunnel waterproofing
• Planned interventions
• Unplanned interventions
• QA/QC
• Inspection Test Plans
• Method statement review
• Material submittals
• Technical proposal review
• Root cause analysis
• Corrective actions
• Preventive actions
• HSE compliance
• Tunnel risk mitigation
• TBM assembly
• TBM disassembly
• Heavy transport coordination
• As-built records
• Metro rail tunneling
• Underground infrastructure

Why Join Us

Dubai's continued investment in metro systems and underground infrastructure is increasing demand for specialists who understand the operational and geotechnical complexities of mechanized tunneling. This position offers direct responsibility for large-diameter TBM works where precise control of excavation parameters, lining quality, grouting, settlement, and ground response is essential to safe delivery. Parsons Corporation provides tunnel professionals with exposure to multidisciplinary teams spanning geotechnical engineering, structures, instrumentation, construction supervision, QA/QC, and project management. The role offers valuable experience across the complete TBM construction cycle, from machine assembly and excavation through interventions, lining inspection, documentation, and project completion.

About the Company

Parsons Corporation is a global engineering and technology organization delivering transportation, infrastructure, and complex urban development programs. Its UAE teams provide tunneling engineering, underground construction supervision, geotechnical support, structural expertise, quality management, and project delivery services across metro rail and major infrastructure projects.