Senior Geotechnical Tunnel Engineer – Lead & Design

CDM Smith; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 105,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer specializing in tunnels and underground structures to lead complex infrastructure projects across the United States. You will apply geotechnical expertise, guide multidisciplinary teams, and mentor junior staff to deliver safe, efficient design solutions.

This role emphasizes QA/QC, client engagement, and advancing technical standards, with opportunities to publish papers and contribute to firm-wide technical initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Mining, Tunneling, Structural Engineering, or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 10 years of related experience.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Performs structural and geotechnical analyses and design for tunnels and underground structures.
• Develops and implements design approach for 2D and 3D structural/geotechnical/soil structure interaction analyses and independently cross checks against empirical approaches, as necessary.
• Develops calculation packages, contract document (drawings and specifications) package related to geotechnics, tunnel, and underground structures areas.
• Communicates design requirements developed through engineering analysis to drawings and specifications.
• Provides technical leadership to drafters/designers and junior engineering staff.
• Provides leadership oversight on planning geotechnical investigation programs specific to tunneling and underground engineering.
• Develops/writes geotechnical reports (data, interpretive, and baseline).
• Performs risk workshop and cost estimate efforts.
• Independently reviews shop drawings and provides technical support on complex issues.
• Provides engineering oversight on field exploration program for tunneling and underground engineering projects.
• Serves as field engineer or assistant resident engineer on tunneling and underground engineering projects.
• Performs inspection of existing tunnels and underground structures to support project execution.
• Contributes to firm's TKM initiative for technical excellence and IP growth by developing white papers and technical design documentation of new or special case designs, studies, etc.
• Co‑leads efforts in developing and maintaining design standards and proformas to support improved productivity and QA/QC initiatives.
• Collaborates with sales staff to create proposals in response to current and potential client requests for proposal (RFPs).
• Reviews draft proposals for adherence to firm, industry, state, local and federal regulations, and best practices.
• May meet with current and potential future clients to review their current and future design needs.
• Actively seeks to authors technical papers and attends (present at) conferences, symposia, etc.
• Actively seeks engagement with industry through committee membership and/or association participation.
• Actively seek opportunities for self and firm’s luminance within the industry.
• Provides technical guidance and training to more junior staff.
• Mentors more junior staff and develops them for future growth within the discipline and firm Oversees the work of junior engineers on project work.
• Performs other duties as required.

Skills

CADD 3D

Geotechnical engineering

Soil-structure interaction

Underground design

Project leadership

Technical mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical/Tunneling/Structural Engineering

PE license

10 years of related experience

Domestic and/or international travel may be required

Tools

Revit

STAAD

RISA

Plaxis

FLAC

DeepEX

Job description

CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer specializing in tunnels and underground structures to lead complex infrastructure projects across the United States. You will apply geotechnical expertise, guide multidisciplinary teams, and mentor junior staff to deliver safe, efficient design solutions.

This role emphasizes QA/QC, client engagement, and advancing technical standards, with opportunities to publish papers and contribute to firm-wide technical initiatives.