Senior Tunnel Geotechnical Engineer – Lead Design

CDM Smith; Kearney (NE); On-site; USD 105,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking an experienced Senior Geotechnical Engineer specializing in tunnels and underground structures to lead complex infrastructure projects in geotechnical engineering. You will mentor teams, guide design standards, and collaborate with clients to deliver high‑quality solutions.

You will apply expertise in soil-structure interaction, 2D/3D analyses, and field investigations while driving technical excellence across the firm. Travel may be required based on project needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Mining, Tunneling, Structural Engineering, or related discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• 10 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Performs structural and geotechnical analyses and design for increasingly complex projects involving 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

Engineering principles

MS Office

Communications

Underground drawing

Numerical software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical/Mining/Tunneling/Structural Eng.

PE license

10 years experience

Travel willingness

Tools

Revit

STAAD

RISA

Plaxis

FLAC

DeepEX

Job description

CDM Smith is seeking an experienced Senior Geotechnical Engineer specializing in tunnels and underground structures to lead complex infrastructure projects in geotechnical engineering. You will mentor teams, guide design standards, and collaborate with clients to deliver high‑quality solutions.

You will apply expertise in soil-structure interaction, 2D/3D analyses, and field investigations while driving technical excellence across the firm. Travel may be required based on project needs.