Tunnelling Engineer Jobs

A Tunnelling Engineer in Australia is responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining tunnels for road, rail, water, and mining projects. They ensure tunnelling works are carried out safely, efficiently, and in compliance with Australian engineering and safety standards.



Key Responsibilities:

• Tunnel Design & Engineering: Develop designs for tunnels, shafts, and underground structures using geotechnical and structural analysis.
• Construction Supervision: Oversee excavation, ground support, and tunnel boring machine (TBM) operations.
• Geotechnical Analysis: Assess soil, rock, and groundwater conditions to determine the best tunnelling methods.
• Safety & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with Australian safety standards (AS 1726, AS/NZS 1170, AS 2159) and implement risk mitigation strategies.
• Project Coordination: Work with geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, and contractors to deliver tunnelling projects on time and within budget.
• Materials & Equipment Selection: Specify appropriate tunnel linings, reinforcement, and excavation techniques.
• Sustainability & Innovation: Implement environmentally friendly and cost-effective tunnelling solutions.
• Regulatory Compliance & Reporting: Ensure adherence to local, state, and federal construction regulations and prepare technical reports.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or Structural Engineering.
• Strong knowledge of tunnelling methods (e.g., TBM, drill-and-blast, cut-and-cover, NATM).
• Experience with geotechnical software (e.g., PLAXIS, FLAC, Rocscience, GeoStudio).
• Proficiency in structural analysis tools (e.g., SAP2000, STAAD.Pro).
• Understanding of ground behaviour, rock mechanics, and soil-structure interaction.
• Strong problem-solving, risk assessment, and project management skills.
• Ability to work in underground environments and on construction sites.

Job Requirements:

• 3-7 years of experience in tunnelling, underground construction, or geotechnical engineering.
• Familiarity with major Australian tunnelling projects (e.g., Sydney Metro, WestConnex, Cross River Rail, Melbourne Metro).
• Experience with TBM operation, tunnel linings, and waterproofing systems.
• Ability to work in both office and field environments.