Senior Tunnel Engineer

COWI; Kongens Lyngby; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

COWI is a global leader in geotechnical and tunnel engineering, seeking a Senior Tunnel Engineer to own tunnel and underground structures design across all project phases. You will lead TBM system design, segmental lining reviews, and construction methodologies, while coordinating NATM/SEM tunnelling and risk mitigation strategies.

You will mentor junior engineers, manage interfaces with multi-disciplinary teams, and engage with clients and stakeholders to deliver robust, buildable solutions for

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in tunnel engineering, underground structures, and geotechnical engineering.
• Practical experience with TBM tunnelling projects and NATM/SEM techniques.

Responsibilities

• Take technical ownership of tunnel and underground structures design scopes across project phases.
• Lead design and review of TBM tunnel systems, lining design, launch and reception arrangements, and construction methodologies.
• Plan and design NATM/SEM tunnels, temporary and permanent support systems, excavation sequences, and risk mitigation.

Skills

TBM tunnelling

NATM/SEM tunnelling

Numerical modelling

Geotechnical engineering

Rock engineering

Education

Bachelor's/Master's degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

PLAXIS 2D/3D

FLAC

RS2/RS3

RocScience

GeoStudio

Job description

Are you interested in underground infrastructure and complex tunnelling projects? Do you want to help shape the transport networks of the future and contribute to some of the most challenging tunnels and infrastructure projects in Denmark and internationally? Would you like to be part of a large, highly skilled team of tunnel and geotechnical experts and have the opportunity to contribute to important projects? If so, we would like to hear from you.

COWI is a global consulting group that delivers innovative and sustainable solutions to complex challenges within transport, energy, environment, water, industry, buildings, and urban planning. Together with our 7,500 skilled employees, we advance engineering design worldwide.

Our geotechnical and tunnel engineering team in Denmark consists of more than 120 highly skilled professionals and offers a full range of high-level skills within geotechnical engineering and tunnel design. Combined with solid local presence and international experience, this enables us to take on some of the world's most challenging infrastructure projects.

We work across a broad range of disciplines, contributing to projects including highways, metros, railways, bridges, tunnels, buildings, stormwater systems, energy infrastructure, and ground investigations. We cover all phases of the project lifecycle - from concept and design to construction, supervision, operation, and maintenance.

Create the solutions that will enable a better tomorrow

As a Senior Tunnel Engineer, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality solutions as part of a highly professional team providing consultancy, design, and project management services.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking technical ownership of tunnel and underground structures design scopes, ensuring robust engineering solutions across all project phases.
• Leading the design and review of TBM tunnel systems, segmental lining design, launch and reception arrangements, and construction methodologies.
• Contributing to the planning and design of NATM/SEM tunnels, temporary and permanent support systems, excavation sequences, and risk mitigation measures.
• Leading and reviewing rock engineering assessments, including rock mass characterization, excavation support design, rock reinforcement systems, stability analyses for rock slopes and underground openings, and construction risk assessments.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary interfaces between civil, structural, geotechnical, MEP, and construction teams.
• Providing technical leadership, mentoring junior engineers, and conducting technical reviews to ensure high-quality project delivery.
• Assisting the tunnelling teams with strategic bids.
• Performing and reviewing advanced engineering analyses, including numerical modelling and geotechnical assessments using industry-standard software.
• Advancing to a technical point of contact for clients, contractors, authorities, and project stakeholders, communicating technical solutions, risks, and project opportunities clearly.

Your skills. Our team. Together we design the future.

You are an experienced tunnel engineer with a solid technical background in underground construction, tunnelling methods and rock engineering. You take responsibility for your work, thrive in multidisciplinary project environments, and enjoy mentoring colleagues while delivering technically robust and buildable solutions.

You combine advanced analytical capabilities with practical construction understanding and have extensive experience in tunnel and underground infrastructure projects across soil and rock conditions, from feasibility and design through construction and commissioning.

In addition, you have:

• A Bachelor's, Master's, or equivalent degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Rock Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in tunnel engineering, underground structures, and geotechnical engineering.
• Practical experience with TBM tunnelling projects, including tunnel lining design, construction methodology, and geotechnical interface management.
• Experience with NATM/SEM tunnelling, underground stations, caverns and temporary support systems.
• Experience leading/working in multidisciplinary design teams and coordinating complex technical interfaces.
• Experience and understanding of the needs and approaches to the engineering consultancy and design markets, including relationships with clients, work planning and commercial management.
• Extensive experience with numerical modelling and design software such as PLAXIS 2D/3D, FLAC, RS2/3, Rocscience, GeoStudio, or equivalent tools, with a clear understanding of their capabilities and limitations.
• Strong expertise in Eurocodes and other relevant industry standards.
• Effective report writing skills with the ability to self-check and produce accurate work.
• Good communication skills and confidence to liaise with clients. Danish language skills are considered an advantage.

A place to work and so much more

At COWI, we work together with our customers to shape a sustainable and liveable world. We do it by applying our knowledge and curiosity – and sometimes even our courage – to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow. We support our customers’ transition towards increased sustainability. We strive to lead by example by embedding environmental management, social responsibility and good governance into our business practices and the options we provide to our customers.

We value differences and development and cultivate an environment of belonging and having fun. Because that is what brings out the best in you, at work and at home.

With offices primarily located in the Nordic region, the UK, North America and India, we are currently more than 7,500 people who bring their expertise in engineering, architecture, energy and environment into play.

Got more questions?

If you have any unanswered questions about the role or what we have to offer, please reach out to Head of Discipline for Tunnels and Deep Excavations, Ganesh Kale, [e-mail].

Get to know us even better at our website, www.cowi.com, where you can learn more about our projects, our strategy, what we want to achieve and what life is like at COWI.

Equal opportunity employer

COWI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, COWI complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.