Underground Structures Expert - High-Speed Rail

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Underground Structures Expert in Abu Dhabi, UAE to lead the design and construction of underground high-speed rail infrastructure. The role spans tunnels, stations, TBM operations, and safety integration within dense urban settings.

You will coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, ensure compliance with international standards, and apply geotechnical principles to optimize underground solutions while addressing heat, sand, and urban density constraints.

Qualifications

• Extensive underground infrastructure and tunneling experience.
• In-depth knowledge of TBM drives and ventilation shafts.
• Strong background in geotechnical engineering and soil-structure interaction.
• Experience with international standards and safety practices.
• Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of tunnels and underground stations and related rail infrastructure.
• Provide input on TBM drives, launch/retrieval locations, and ventilation shafts.
• Ensure compliance with standards (AASHTO LRFD, Eurocodes).
• Oversee underground construction activities and reviews.
• Address fire and life safety in underground facilities.

Skills

Underground tunneling

Geotechnical engineering

TBM tunneling

Structural analysis

STAAD Pro

SAP2000

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Regulatory compliance

Multidisciplinary coordination

Tools

STAAD Pro

SAP2000

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

Role

Underground Structures Expert - High-Speed Rail

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Civil & Structural Engineering

Experience: Extensive underground infrastructure and tunneling experience

Job Type: Full Time

Job overview: AECOM is seeking an Underground Structures Expert in Abu Dhabi, UAE to provide specialist Civil Engineering leadership for underground infrastructure within a high-speed rail network. The role covers tunnels, underground stations, intervention and ventilation shafts, TBM operations, structural engineering, construction methodologies, fire and life safety, and multidisciplinary integration in complex urban environments.

Job Details

Country: UAE

City: Abu Dhabi

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Civil & Structural Engineering

Salary: Not disclosed

Gender: No Preference

Candidate Nationality: Not specified

Job Type: Full Time

Work Arrangement: On-site

Design and Engineering Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of underground structures, including tunnels, underground stations, intervention shafts, and associated rail infrastructure.
• Develop engineering solutions for Tunnel Boring Machine drives, launch and retrieval locations, and ventilation shafts.
• Provide specialist input into structural engineering for underground infrastructure in densely developed urban environments.
• Verify design compliance with applicable international standards, including AASHTO LRFD and Eurocodes.
• Apply geotechnical engineering principles to underground structural solutions, including soil-structure interaction and ground improvement considerations.
• Evaluate technical constraints and develop practical engineering solutions that meet project, safety, and environmental requirements.

Construction and Technical Oversight

• Oversee underground construction activities and monitor compliance with approved designs, technical specifications, and project schedules.
• Review contractor submissions and verify structural designs associated with underground works and related infrastructure elements.
• Provide technical guidance on construction methodologies, including TBM tunneling, cut-and-cover construction, and mined tunneling.
• Support resolution of complex design and construction issues affecting underground structures.
• Apply relevant lessons from international high-speed rail projects to improve design and construction approaches.

Safety and Risk Management

• Develop and support fire and life safety strategies for underground rail infrastructure.
• Address emergency egress, ventilation, accessibility, and space constraints associated with underground facilities.
• Contribute to project risk identification and mitigation for underground design and construction.
• Support sustainable construction approaches and measures designed to reduce environmental impacts.

Stakeholder and Multidisciplinary Coordination

• Coordinate with government agencies, private stakeholders, and other relevant entities regarding alignment, land availability, and infrastructure constraints.
• Work with architects, engineers, contractors, and multidisciplinary project teams to maintain integration across underground rail systems.
• Coordinate underground structural requirements with track alignment, stations, electrification, signaling, and rolling stock interfaces.
• Develop engineering approaches that minimize disruption to surrounding communities and ecological habitats during construction.

Technical Expertise

• Extensive experience with tunneling methodologies, including Tunnel Boring Machine and cut-and-cover techniques.
• Proficiency in structural analysis and design tools such as STAAD Pro and SAP2000.
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Strong knowledge of geotechnical engineering principles, soil-structure interaction, and ground improvement techniques.
• Previous involvement in high-speed rail projects covering underground facilities, station design, or track alignment.
• Familiarity with rail electrification, signaling, and rolling stock integration.
• Experience managing large-scale infrastructure activities involving budgets, resources, and risk mitigation.
• Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams.
• Understanding of UAE-specific engineering considerations, including extreme heat, sand infiltration, and urban density constraints.
• Experience working with regulatory frameworks and local authorities.
• Knowledge of fire and life safety requirements for underground rail systems.
• Experience applying sustainable construction practices and environmental impact mitigation measures.

High-Speed Rail and Underground Structures Scope

The Underground Structures Expert will provide specialist technical leadership across the design and construction of complex underground high-speed rail infrastructure. The position combines structural, geotechnical, tunneling, station, safety, and systems-interface considerations to develop practical solutions for constrained urban environments. The role requires particular expertise in TBM drives, underground stations, intervention and ventilation shafts, cut-and-cover and mined tunneling, soil-structure interaction, emergency egress, ventilation, and fire and life safety. Effective integration with wider rail systems and multidisciplinary infrastructure teams is essential.

Recruitment and Onboarding

Newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment. This requirement forms part of AECOM 's secure recruitment process.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm providing professional services across transportation, water, environment, energy, and buildings. Its teams support public-and private-sector clients throughout the project lifecycle, including advisory, planning, design, engineering, program management, and construction management. AECOM reported revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025 and has a global team of more than 50,000 professionals.