Senior Tunnel Engineer - Design

Larsen & Toubro; Chennai District; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance?

Professional development

Job summary

Larsen & Toubro is seeking a Senior Tunnel Manager with 15+ years of experience, including 10 years in hydel or metro tunnelling. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, interface with clients and authorities, and guide projects from concept through commissioning.

The role requires strong rock mechanics expertise, advanced numerical modelling and proven ability to manage large design teams in complex urban settings.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of total professional experience.
• At least 10 years in hydel and/or metro tunnelling projects.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience with design reviews and technical presentations.
• Proven ability to manage large multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for tunnelling projects including hydropower and metro tunnels.
• Lead geotechnical design activities and support philosophy selection.
• Review design basis reports, calculations, drawings and specs for compliance.
• Apply numerical modelling (FEA/FEM/FDM) for ground-structure interaction and risk.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Tunnel design

Rock mechanics

Project leadership

Software: PLAXIS/FLAC/MIDAS

Education

Bachelor in Civil Engineering

Master in Rock Mechanics/Tunnel Engineering

Tools

PLAXIS

FLAC

MIDAS GTS

RS2/RS3

SAP2000

Job description

Job Title: Senior Tunnel Manager

Overview: We are seeking an accomplished Senior Tunnel Manager with a minimum of 15 years of professional experience, including at least 10 years in Hydel and/or Metro tunnelling projects. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership and strategic oversight for complex underground infrastructure projects, ensuring safe, economical, and constructible tunnel solutions. This role involves managing multidisciplinary teams, interfacing with clients and authorities, and guiding projects from concept through construction and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall technical leadership and management for tunnelling projects, including hydropower tunnels, metro tunnels, shafts, caverns, cross passages, and associated underground structures.
• Lead and review geotechnical and tunnel design activities, including ground characterization, rock mass classification, support philosophy, lining systems, and construction methodology selection.
• Oversee and approve design basis reports, calculations, drawings, and technical specifications, ensuring compliance with project requirements, international standards, and best industry practices.
• Guide the application and interpretation of advanced numerical modelling and analytical studies (FEA / FEM / FDM) for ground-structure interaction, construction staging, and risk-critical scenarios.
• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary teams comprising geotechnical, structural, construction, and BIM engineers to achieve integrated and optimized tunnel designs.
• Lead geotechnical risk assessments, constructability reviews, and value engineering exercises, and develop mitigation measures for adverse ground conditions and geological uncertainties.
• Provide strategic input on tunnelling methods (TBM, NATM / SEM, drill and blast, cut-and-cover) and temporary works in consultation with construction teams and contractors.
• Act as the primary technical interface with clients, independent engineers, regulatory authorities, and stakeholders, supporting approvals, technical negotiations, and statutory clearances.
• Support construction-phase engineering, including design change management, review of method statements, site observations, and resolution of technical issues arising during execution.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers, contributing to capability building, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement of tunnel engineering practices within the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Geotechnical Engineering; Master’s degree in Rock Mechanics, Tunnel Engineering, or Geotechnical Engineering is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of total professional experience, with at least 10 years of direct experience in Hydel and/or Metro tunnelling projects, preferably in urban and complex geological settings.
• Strong expertise in rock mechanics, tunnel support design, ground behaviour, and geotechnical risk management, particularly for long tunnels and deep underground works.
• Sound understanding of structural design principles for tunnel linings, caverns, shafts, portals, and underground stations.
• Proven experience in guiding and reviewing analyses using PLAXIS, FLAC, MIDAS GTS, RS2/RS3, SAP2000, or similar engineering software.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large design teams and multiple work fronts, while maintaining technical quality, programme, and budget objectives.
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder-management skills, with experience in client interactions, design reviews, and high-level technical presentations.