Project Tunnel Engineer

Jacobs; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase plan

Deferred compensation plan

Executive Deferral Plan

Unlimited PPTO

Seven paid holidays

Caregiver leave

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Tunnel Engineer to join our team working on a range of trenchless and tunneling projects across North America and beyond. You will lead design and construction activities from concept through delivery, collaborating with geotechnical and tunnel practice experts in a global, multidisciplinary environment.

The role requires 2–5 years in tunnels or geotechnical engineering, a BS in Civil Engineering, and strong soil/rock mechanics knowledge.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of tunnel, trenchless, or geotechnical engineering experience.
• BS in Civil Engineering is required.
• Strong technical knowledge in soil/rock mechanics and geotechnical design.

Responsibilities

• Participate in field assignments: soil/rock borings, CPTs, geotechnical monitoring, site inspections.
• Travel to locations in the USA and internationally.
• Mentor and train junior engineers.
• Design deep foundations, earth retaining structures, ground improvement, trenchless installations.
• Inspect tunnels, shafts, and trenchless installations.
• Analyze lab results and select design parameters.
• Prepare and review technical reports and design calculations.
• Create design drawings and construction specifications.

Skills

Soil mechanics

Geotechnical design

Tunneling design

Field observations

Team collaboration

Education

BS in Civil Engineering

Master’s in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

Settle3D

Slide

LPILE

AutoCAD

Shaft

FB-MulitPier

DeepXcav

GRLWeap

Phase2D

Plaxis

FLAC

MathCAD

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

The challenge? Solving the most challenging and impactful projects around the world. Jacobs, has a great opportunity for a Tunnel Engineer to join and help grow our national trenchless and tunnel practice. You would work as team with our geotechnical and tunnel practice consisting of close to 200 engineers in in North America, and 800 globally. As our Tunnel Engineer you will have the opportunity to follow projects from the conceptual phase through the construction phase, working on traditional design-bid-build as well as design-build projects. You would be joining the No. 1 ranked Trenchless Design firm in the US for the past 10 years and would join our Delta Conveyance Project team.

Your experience with design assignments in soil mechanics, deep foundations, earth retaining structures, and trenchless and tunneling will contribute to your success. The ideal candidate will have a breadth of consulting experience for the design and construction of large civil engineering projects, and the desire to grow personally as well as professionally.

As a Jacobs Project Tunnel Engineer, you will

• Participate in field assignments that will include observation of explorations (soil and rock borings, test pits, CPT soundings, geophysical testing); geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring; and inspection of the construction of geotechnical structures (earth retaining structures, deep foundations, tunnels, and trenchless installations)
• Have the opportunity to travel to and work in locations both within the USA and around the world.
• Mentor and train junior engineers.
• Design deep foundations, earth retaining structures, ground improvement, trenchless installations in both soil and rock, cut slopes, and both soft and hard rock tunnels
• Inspect tunnels, shafts, and trenchless installations.
• Analyze laboratory testing results and select geotechnical design parameters
• Prepare and review technical reports, data reports, and baseline reports
• Use computer programs including Settle3D, Slide, LPILE, AutoCAD, Shaft, FB-MulitPier, DeepXcav, GRLWeap, Phase2D, Plaxis, FLAC, and MathCAD to complete engineering analysis and prepare design calculations
• Prepare design drawings and construction specifications and review construction submittals for compliance with the contract requirements and design assumptions.
• Work in collaborative multi-disciplinary teams across North America and the world. Share technical knowledge across geographical boundaries to foster innovative project solutions.

Here’s what you'll need

• 2 to 5 years of experience within Tunnels, Trenchless, or Geotechnical Engineering
• BS Degree in Civil Engineering
• You will be expected to demonstrate a strong technical knowledge of the principles of soil and rock mechanics, geotechnical and trenchless design, and be able to effectively work within a multi-disciplinary team

Ideally, you'll also have

• Master’s Degree (emphasis in Geotechnical Engineering) as preferred

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $84,100.00 to $122,750.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on October 06, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.