Principal Tunnels Engineer

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy committed to delivering impactful work that shapes the future. 

We are a team of over 20,000 experts working across the world in more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. We have a reputation for delivering technical excellence on some of World’s most prominent and challenging projects, and for working across multiple markets, including transportation, energy, water, and the built environment. 

Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and championing you to be your best. 

Join us and shape your story with Mott MacDonald, where everyone can be brilliant. 

Our teams take an active part in international infrastructure projects, specializing in bridges, highways, geotechnics, railways, tunnels, and foundations. 

Job Description: 

We are seeking a Principal Tunnels Engineer to join our team in Noida / Mumbai and take a role in the delivering high-quality tunnel engineering support to global infrastructure projects, while ensuring efficient, standardised, and commercially aligned delivery. The scale of our projects ranges from small and bespoke design commissions through to some of the most significant infrastructure projects within the UK and worldwide. 

Job Location : Noida / Mumbai 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide technical leadership across tunnelling and underground works, including:  

• TBM tunnels (EPB, slurry) 

• Drill & blast / SEM tunnels 

• Shafts, caverns, and underground stations 

• Tunnel linings (segmental, sprayed concrete) 

• Review and approve key deliverables (design reports, calculations, drawings, specifications). Complete assigned tasks in accordance with quality standards, agreed timescales and budgeted hours. Ensure designs comply with international standards and best practice 

• Comply with industry standards and Health, Safety and Wellbeing regulations, embedding ‘Safe by Design’ approach in all originated tasks. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and develop design solutions that meet client requirements and regulatory standards. 

• Develop technical solutions and originate associated documentation, including reports, specifications, Designer’s Risk Management documentation, and H&S files. 

• Lead tunnelling scope across multi-disciplinary global projects (transport, water, energy) 

• Lead, mentor, and line-manage a team of tunnel engineers and designers , identifying opportunities for professional development and progression for designated direct reports. Set performance objectives, monitor utilisation, and drive productivity. Build capability in tunnelling methods, digital tools, and global standards 

• Support recruitment and succession planning. Support integration team into global tunnelling delivery models. Support knowledge sharing across geotechnical and tunnelling disciplines.  

• Provide technical input to bids, proposals, and project solutions. Support estimation and planning of tunnelling scopes (design hours, resources) 

• Participate in design reviews and technical discussions with clients (as required) 

• Contribute to innovation in tunnelling delivery and digital engineering 

• Foster a culture of right first-time delivery and work with Project Managers/Principals to ensure effective project delivery. 

• Work with the Senior discipline staff and Resource Managers to proactively manage workloads and effective forecasting and ensure maximum utilisation of team members, allocate appropriate staff to projects or bids as agreed. 

• Prepare and review technical reports, design calculations, drawings, and specifications. 

Candidate Specification:

We are looking for flexible and motivated professional with a genuine passion and a desire to make a difference in the world. 

Qualifications: 

• Degree (BEng/MEng/MSc) in Civil Engineering or related discipline 

• Minimum 12 to 15 years of experience in design of tunnel and underground projects. 

Essential Skills and Experience: 

• Strong experience in tunnelling engineering and design, including:  

• TBM design and segmental lining 

• Underground construction methods (SEM/NATM, drill & blast) 

• Shaft and excavation design 

• Experience working on major infrastructure projects (metros, rail, water tunnels). Proven experience in leading teams and delivering multi-disciplinary projects 

• Experience in leading teams or work packages on Tunnelling (TBM / NATM) and underground infrastructure projects during concept, scheme, detailed design, and construction.  

• Knowledge of Eurocodes, BS standards, and local regulations. 

• Undertake, review and manage soil-structure interaction (SSI) analysis, demonstrable experience in Tunnelling especially New-Australian Tunnelling Methods (NATM), Tunnel Borring Method (TBM), Sequential Excavation Method (SEM), Short creating, Tunnel blasting, Rock mechanics, Geology of soil and rock materials.  Geotechnical analysis, design and assessment including an ability to undertake and oversee the modelling of Tunnels (NATM / TBM) and analysis of soil structure interaction of tunnelling pannels, ground improvement, deep excavation (Top to Bottom method and Bottom and Top) using industry standard software such as Rock science geo-suite, PLAXIS 2D/3D, DeepEx, Repute, LPile, MIDAS GTS NX, LS-DYNA, RS2/RS3, or similar.  

• Experience in developing & managing cost control and technical delivery from project teams. 

• Experience in and a commitment to effective management of Health, Safety and Welfare, Safety by Design. 

• General IT software skills, such as, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, ProjectWise, Bentley and Autodesk software. 

• Experience of digital delivery tools and workflows, for example BIM, parametric design and automation. 

• Ability to communicate confidently and professionally with all levels of staff and clients (written and verbal) 

Desirable Competencies / Skills: 

• A post-graduate degree (M. Tech/ Master’s, PhD) in Geotechnical Engineering, Rock and Underground Structures, or a related field would be advantageous. 

• Experience in the preparation of fee proposals and tender submissions would be advantageous. 

• Knowledge of the sustainable design of bridges and civil structures would be advantageous. 

• Chartered member or working towards chartership (ICE, or equivalent) will be an added advantage. 

• Knowledge about Soil strengthening, slope stabilization, slope cutting on soil & rock, settlement analysis, hydrogeology, dewatering technique.