Senior Tunnel Engineer – Geotechnical & Underground Design

CDM Smith; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead tunnels and underground structures projects. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, mentor staff, and advance geotechnical design standards while delivering technically rigorous solutions on major infrastructure programs.

You will apply soil-structure interaction knowledge, oversee investigations, and develop robust reports, with opportunities to engage clients and contribute to technical papers and industry collaboration.

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. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.

Responsibilities

• Performs structural and geotechnical analyses and design for tunnels and underground structures.
• Develops design approach for 2D and 3D analyses and cross checks against empirical methods.
• Develops calculation packages and contract documents related to geotechnics, tunnel, and underground structures areas.
• Communicates design requirements to drawings and specifications.
• Provides technical leadership to drafters/designers and junior engineering staff.
• Oversees geotechnical investigation programs for tunneling and underground engineering.
• Develops/writes geotechnical reports (data, interpretive, and baseline).
• Performs risk workshop and cost estimate efforts.
• Reviews shop drawings and provides technical support on complex issues.
• Oversees field exploration program for tunneling and underground engineering projects.
• Serves as field engineer or assistant resident engineer on tunneling and underground engineering projects.
• Inspects 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

Engineering principles

Excel

Communication skills

Engineering drawing

Geotechnical software

Education

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

PE license

Tools

Revit

STAAD

RISA

Plaxis

FLAC

DeepEX

Job description

CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead tunnels and underground structures projects. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, mentor staff, and advance geotechnical design standards while delivering technically rigorous solutions on major infrastructure programs.

You will apply soil-structure interaction knowledge, oversee investigations, and develop robust reports, with opportunities to engage clients and contribute to technical papers and industry collaboration.