Tunnels Lead

WSP; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking an experienced Tunnels Lead to join our Middle East Transport & Infrastructure team, based in the UAE and supporting projects across the GCC and wider Middle East. This strategic role focuses on delivering complex underground infrastructure with strong leadership across technical disciplines.

You will guide tunnel and underground design, mentor multidisciplinary teams, and drive the growth of WSP's tunnelling capabilities in the region while engaging with clients and stakeholders

Qualifications

• 15+ years of professional tunnel/underground engineering experience.
• Experience leading major tunnelling projects (rail/metro/highway/underground).
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage large projects.
• Experience on international Middle East projects desirable.

Responsibilities

• Act as regional technical authority for tunnelling and underground infrastructure.
• Lead design and review of TBM tunnels, IMT tunnels, shafts, underground stations.
• Ensure designs comply with standards and regulations.
• Drive innovation, value engineering, and risk management.
• Lead growth and management of tunnelling discipline in Middle East.
• Support bids and client engagements.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural/Geotechnical Eng

Master's degree in Tunnel Engineering/Geotechnical Eng

Tools

TBM software

Geotech analysis

FEM tools

Job description

Job description

WSP is seeking an experienced and highly accomplished Tunnels Lead to join our Middle East Transport & Infrastructure team, based in the UAE and supporting projects across the GCC and wider Middle East region. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving excellence in tunnel engineering, overseeing the delivery of complex underground infrastructure projects, and leading the growth and development of a specialist design discipline.

The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise in tunnel and underground structures design with strong project delivery and people leadership capabilities. They will play a key role in winning and delivering major transportation, rail, metro, highway, utility, and underground infrastructure projects while mentoring multidisciplinary engineering teams and supporting the continued expansion of WSP's tunnelling capabilities throughout the region.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the regional technical authority for tunnelling and underground infrastructure projects.
• Lead the design and review of TBM tunnels, IMT tunnels, tunnel shafts, underground stations, cut-and-cover structures, retaining systems, and associated underground works.
• Provide expert technical guidance throughout all project phases, from feasibility studies and concept design through detailed design and construction support.
• Ensure designs comply with international standards, local regulations, client requirements, and industry best practices.
• Drive innovation, value engineering, and risk management across all tunnel engineering activities.
• Engage with WSP’s global tunnels community to drive technical excellence through knowledge share, future ready, and global WSP initiatives.

Project Delivery

• Lead and oversee the successful delivery of complex tunnel and underground infrastructure projects across the Middle East.
• Manage project technical scope, programme, quality, resource allocation, and commercial performance.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including geotechnical, civil, structural, rail, highways, utilities, and construction specialists.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Support construction supervision teams by providing specialist design advice and resolving complex engineering challenges.

Discipline Leadership

• Develop and drive WSP’s tunnels growth strategy across the Middle East region.
• Lead, develop, and grow WSP's Tunnelling discipline within the Middle East.
• Manage and mentor tunnel engineers and technical specialists across multiple offices.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, performance development, and technical capability building.
• Establish and maintain technical excellence frameworks, design processes, and best practices across the discipline.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

Business Development

• Support regional business growth and strategic planning initiatives.
• Engage with clients, contractors, government entities, and key stakeholders across the region.
• Participate in business development activities, client presentations, technical workshops, and industry forums.
• Lead technical inputs for bids, proposals, and major project pursuits.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and contribute to the expansion of WSP's tunnelling portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Tunnel Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a relevant field would be advantageous.
• Minimum 15+ years of professional experience in tunnel and underground infrastructure engineering.
• Proven experience leading the design and delivery of major tunnelling projects, preferably within rail, metro, highway, utility, or underground infrastructure sectors.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and large-scale project delivery.
• Experience working on international projects within the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia, or North America is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of both conventional and mechanized tunnelling methodologies.
• Experience in:
• TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnels.
• NATM / SEM tunnelling methods.
• Cut-and-cover tunnel design.
• Underground station and shaft design.
• Geotechnical and structural analysis for underground works.
• Ground-structure interaction.
• Temporary works and construction methodologies.
• Tunnel safety, fire life safety, and risk management.
• Design software and analytical tools relevant to tunnel engineering and underground structures.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing technical teams.
• Strong project management and commercial awareness.
• Excellent client management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to secure and deliver major engineering commissions.
• Strong communication, presentation, and report-writing capabilities.

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