Tunnel Inspector - TBM Operations

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

Job summary

Parsons Corporation is seeking a seasoned Tunnel Inspector for TBM operations in Dubai. The role focuses on supervising large-diameter TBM tunneling, segment installation, backfill grouting, tunnel lining, and rigorous QA/QC in accordance with project requirements.

Strong English communication and UAE/GCC tunneling experience are highly desirable. The incumbent will monitor machine parameters, assess ground behavior, and ensure compliance with ITPs, safety procedures, and contract specifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of construction supervision experience in tunneling projects.
• At least 4 years directly related to large-diameter TBM tunnel operations.
• Experience with TBM tunneling projects from start to finish is required.
• Strong knowledge of QA/QC procedures, ITPs, and construction inspection requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist Resident Engineer with TBM tunneling supervision and segment installation.
• Monitor TBM drive and machine parameters per approved instructions and contract specs.
• Review drive instruction sheets and monitor face pressure, advance rate, and torque.
• Inspect precast segments for cracks and defects and supervise grout activities.
• Coordinate with instrumentation teams and monitor ground movement and settlement.

Skills

TBM operations

Tunnel inspection

Large-diameter tunneling

Earth Pressure Balance TBM

Segment installation

QA/QC

Ground monitoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

Job Snapshot

• Role: Tunnel Inspector - TBM Operations
• Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Industry: Civil Engineering
• Function: Building-Construction Inspection
• Experience: Minimum 8 years
• Job Type: Full-time
• Position Overview: Tunnel Inspector - TBM Operations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a specialized Civil Engineering opportunity focused on TBM excavation, segment installation, backfill grouting, tunnel lining, instrumentation monitoring, and construction quality inspection. Parsons Corporation is hiring an experienced tunnel professional to supervise large-diameter TBM operations, verify machine parameters, inspect precast segment installation, monitor ground behavior, coordinate instrumentation data, and ensure tunneling activities comply with approved methods, ITPs, QA/QC requirements, safety procedures, and contract specifications.

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 continuous construction supervision during TBM excavation and tunnel lining operations, supporting the Resident Engineer with technical inspection, quality verification, operational monitoring, and accurate reporting. The role requires close attention to machine behavior, earth pressure balance, segment erection, grouting, ground response, settlement, drainage, maintenance activities, and tunnel defects. Reliable inspection will help maintain tunnel stability, protect adjacent roads and structures, control construction risk, and ensure completed tunnel works meet contractual and design requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Resident Engineer with supervision of TBM tunneling, lining installation, segment repairs, and associated underground works.
• Monitor TBM excavation to confirm operations follow approved drive instructions, method statements, ITPs, protocols, and contract specifications.
• Review drive instruction sheets before and during excavation.
• Monitor face pressure, machine advance rate, applied torque, thrust force, cutterhead RPM, screw conveyor operation, muck characteristics, and other relevant TBM parameters.
• Identify abnormal operating conditions and assess potential risks associated with machine position, adjacent structures, roads, utilities, and ground conditions.
• Monitor Earth Pressure Balance TBM operations where applicable.
• Verify annular gap and backfill grouting activities behind installed tunnel segments.
• Check grout pressure, volume, mix properties, injection sequence, and continuity of grouting.
• Inspect segment identification, positioning, gasket condition, joint alignment, and completed ring geometry.
• Check tunnel ring build-up for lips, steps, offsets, and other installation irregularities.
• Inspect precast segments for cracks, damaged edges, moisture, leakage, and other defects.
• Classify segment defects in accordance with project requirements and approved repair procedures.
• Monitor implementation of approved segment repair method statements.
• Observe application of tail seal grease and verify routine TBM operating and maintenance activities.
• Monitor segment handling, grout supply, foam consumption, and related processes affecting safe and continuous machine operation.
• Coordinate with TBM shift teams to review excavation, ring installation, grouting, and daily production records.
• Review shift and daily reports against actual site conditions and machine data.
• Immediately report loss of face pressure, excessive grout pressure, abnormal machine parameters, unexpected ground conditions, water ingress, or other conditions affecting tunnel stability.
• Monitor surface settlement and other ground movement during TBM advance.
• Coordinate closely with instrumentation and monitoring teams when tunneling beneath roads, buildings, utilities, structures, waterways, and other sensitive assets.
• Verify that measured settlement remains within approved design and alert limits.
• Notify geotechnical teams when ground behavior differs materially from anticipated design conditions.
• Support assessment of unexpected soil, rock, groundwater, weak zones, cavities, fractures, and other adverse geological conditions.
• Review method statements, technical proposals, material submittals, test plans, and tunnel construction documentation.
• Provide technical comments and recommendations to the Resident Engineer.
• Support the supervision team on tunnel excavation, segment erection, waterproofing, grouting, and associated tunnel works.
• Coordinate with design engineers when structural, geological, or constructability issues arise.
• Inspect temporary and permanent tunnel drainage systems required for safe TBM operation.
• Investigate incidents and assist with identifying root causes.
• Monitor implementation and closure of corrective and preventive actions.
• Track tunnel construction progress against approved baseline programmes and construction sequences.
• Highlight foreseeable delays and operational constraints affecting production.
• Maintain complete and traceable construction records, inspection documentation, and as-built information.
• Assist with identification of tunneling risks and implementation of mitigation measures.
• Verify compliance with approved HSE, Management, QA/QC, and inspection plans.
• Coordinate and supervise contractor activities during TBM assembly, disassembly, and transportation.
• Support route surveys for movement of TBM components between ports and project sites.
• Monitor planned and unplanned interventions inside or around the TBM.
• Review geological face mapping undertaken during intervention activities.
• Compare actual ground conditions at intervention locations with approved geological and geotechnical design assumptions.
• Record rock quality, fractures, joints, groundwater, cavities, weak zones, and other relevant conditions encountered.

Ideal Profile

Candidates should hold a Bachelor 's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline from an accredited institution. A minimum of 8 years of construction supervision experience is required, including at least 4 years directly associated with large-diameter TBM tunnel operations. Applicants must have completed at least one TBM tunneling project from commencement through completion. Detailed practical knowledge of TBM operating sequences is mandatory. Previous Earth Pressure Balance TBM experience is preferred. Candidates should understand excavation parameters, segment erection, backfill grouting, tail seal systems, tunnel lining, segment repairs, ground monitoring, and intervention procedures. Experience with metro rail or other major tunneling programs will be highly desirable. Applicants should have strong knowledge of QA/QC procedures, Inspection Test Plans, material testing, and construction inspection requirements. The ability to identify abnormal TBM behavior, construction nonconformances, segment defects, and potentially unsafe ground conditions is essential. Candidates should be proficient in reading shop drawings, specifications, method statements, drive instructions, technical reports, and construction records. Previous UAE or GCC tunneling experience and familiarity with regional standards will be advantageous. Strong English communication, technical reporting, documentation, organization, and stakeholder coordination skills are required.

Skills Set

• TBM operations
• Tunnel inspection
• Large-diameter tunneling
• Earth Pressure Balance TBM
• TBM excavation
• Drive instruction sheets
• Face pressure monitoring
• Advance rate monitoring
• Cutterhead torque
• Thrust force
• Cutterhead RPM
• Screw conveyor monitoring
• Muck parameter monitoring
• Tunnel segment installation
• Segment ring erection
• Segment positioning
• Tunnel gaskets
• Ring build-up
• Tunnel lips and steps
• Segment defect inspection
• Segment crack assessment
• Tunnel leakage inspection
• Segment repair
• Annular gap grouting
• Backfill grouting
• Grout pressure
• Grout volume
• Grout mix control
• Tail seal grease
• Foam consumption
• TBM maintenance monitoring
• Ground settlement monitoring
• Instrumentation and monitoring
• Geotechnical coordination
• Ground behavior assessment
• Water ingress monitoring
• Geological face mapping
• Rock quality assessment
• Groundwater monitoring
• Weak zone identification
• Tunnel drainage
• Planned interventions
• Unplanned interventions
• Method statement review
• Inspection Test Plans
• Material submittals
• QA/QC
• Nonconformance reporting
• Root cause analysis
• Corrective actions
• Preventive actions
• Tunnel progress monitoring
• HSE compliance
• TBM assembly
• TBM disassembly
• Heavy transport coordination
• As-built records
• Construction documentation
• Metro tunneling

Why Join Us

Dubai 's expanding underground transport and infrastructure network is creating sustained demand for specialists with practical experience in TBM excavation, segment installation, grouting, ground monitoring, and tunnel construction quality. This role provides direct involvement in technically demanding underground works where operational decisions and inspection quality can affect tunnel stability, nearby assets, production performance, and long-term structural integrity. Parsons Corporation offers tunnel professionals the opportunity to work with multidisciplinary engineering, geotechnical, instrumentation, structural, and construction supervision teams on complex underground infrastructure. The position provides strong exposure to large-diameter TBM operations, metro tunneling, construction risk management, QA/QC, and advanced tunnel monitoring practices.

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 expertise, construction supervision, civil engineering, geotechnical support, project management, and technical services across metro systems, underground structures, roads, utilities, and major infrastructure developments.