Engineering opportunity
Tunnel Superintendent – Microtunneling & Trenchless Construction
Posted: September 4, 2026
Tunnel Superintendent – Microtunneling & Trenchless Construction
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Tunnel Superintendent to lead field operations for complex microtunneling, trenchless, underground utility, and tunnel construction projects.
The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience with Microtunnel Boring Machines (MTBMs), pipe jacking, tunneling systems, shafts, underground construction, and specialized tunneling equipment.
This is a field leadership position responsible for supervising tunneling crews, coordinating equipment and resources, maintaining production, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to project plans and specifications.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and supervise daily field operations for microtunneling, tunneling, and trenchless construction projects.
Supervise Tunnel Technicians, operators, mechanics, laborers, and other field personnel.
Coordinate and oversee MTBM setup, launch, operation, retrieval, maintenance, and demobilization.
Supervise proper operation and maintenance of tunneling boring machines and associated systems.
Oversee construction activities involving:
Microtunneling
Pipe Jacking
Tunnel Boring
Launch & Receiving Shafts
Deep Excavations
Trenchless Pipeline Installation
Large-Diameter Underground Utilities
Coordinate shaft construction, tunneling operations, pipe installation, spoil removal, and supporting underground activities.
Monitor line and grade throughout tunneling operations to ensure work meets project requirements.
Coordinate tunneling operations with survey, engineering, project management, and field teams.
Supervise maintenance personnel performing repairs, preventative maintenance, and refurbishment of microtunneling and related equipment.
Troubleshoot equipment and production issues to minimize downtime and maintain tunneling progress.
Assist with determining tunneling equipment requirements, means and methods, and project-specific equipment configurations.
Coordinate mobilization, assembly, shipping, installation, and demobilization of tunneling equipment.
Identify equipment that must be rented or purchased when project requirements exceed existing fleet capabilities.
Maintain appropriate materials, spare parts, tooling, pipe, and equipment inventories to support continuous production.
Develop daily work plans and coordinate manpower, equipment, materials, and subcontractors.
Monitor production rates, crew productivity, equipment utilization, and project progress.
Prepare and maintain daily reports, production records, manpower reports, and payroll documentation.
Work closely with Project Managers, Tunnel Engineers, General Superintendents, and project leadership to maintain schedule and budget.
Identify and resolve field issues that could impact safety, production, schedule, quality, or profitability.
Assist with evaluating, hiring, training, and developing Tunnel Technicians and maintenance personnel.
Maintain strong communication between field crews, project management, engineering, and equipment personnel.
Preferred Project Experience
Candidates with experience in the following areas are highly preferred:
Microtunneling
Microtunnel Boring Machines (MTBM)
Pipe Jacking
Utility Tunnels
Tunnel Boring Machines
Trenchless Construction
Jack & Bore
Auger Boring
Launch & Receiving Shafts
Deep Shafts & Excavations
Large-Diameter Sewer Pipelines
Water & Wastewater Pipelines
Underground Utilities
Deep Sewer Construction
Heavy Civil Infrastructure
Groundwater / Dewatering Operations
Shoring & Excavation Support
Tunneling Equipment Knowledge
The ideal candidate should have hands-on knowledge of tunneling systems and supporting equipment, including:
Microtunnel Boring Machines
Jacking Systems
Guidance & Survey Systems
Slurry Separation Systems
Slurry Pumps & Circulation Systems
Hydraulic Systems
Excavation & Spoil Removal Systems
Ventilation Systems
Dewatering Equipment
Cranes & Hoisting Equipment
Shaft Equipment
Pipe Handling & Jacking Equipment
Safety & Field Leadership
Ensure all tunneling and underground work complies with applicable safety requirements, project specifications, codes, and standards.
Enforce company and project-specific health, safety, and environmental requirements.
Conduct or participate in daily safety meetings, pre-task planning, and Job Hazard Analyses.
Monitor confined-space, excavation, shaft, lifting, and underground construction activities.
Identify unsafe conditions and ensure corrective actions are implemented immediately.
Promote a strong safety culture while maintaining production and quality expectations.
Ensure crews understand daily work plans, potential hazards, and production goals.
Required Qualifications
7+ years of tunneling or underground construction experience.
Strong microtunneling experience highly preferred.
Previous experience as a Tunnel Superintendent, Tunnel Foreman, General Superintendent, Tunnel Supervisor, or similar field leadership position.
Demonstrated experience supervising tunneling and underground construction crews.
Strong knowledge of tunneling means and methods.
Experience with MTBM operations and supporting tunneling systems preferred.
Understanding of pipe jacking, shaft construction, underground utilities, and trenchless installation methods.
Proven ability to manage manpower, equipment, materials, and production.
Strong understanding of construction plans, specifications, line and grade, and field documentation.
Demonstrated history of maintaining project productivity and profitability.
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent leadership and communication skills.
Ability to effectively lead diverse field teams.
Basic computer skills for reporting, communication, and project documentation.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a hands-on tunneling professional who understands the work from the ground down.
The successful candidate should be comfortable leading crews underground, troubleshooting an MTBM or slurry system, coordinating shaft and pipe-jacking operations, evaluating production rates, working with engineers on line and grade, and making field decisions that protect the project's safety, schedule, quality, and profitability.
This role requires someone who understands both tunneling equipment and field production and can keep complex underground operations moving efficiently.
Physical & Work Requirements
Ability to work in active heavy civil, tunneling, and underground construction environments.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
Ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, shafts, and other construction access systems.
Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as required.
Ability to lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to approximately 50 pounds.
Must be comfortable working around heavy equipment and active construction operations.
Ability to work indoors, outdoors, underground, and in varying weather conditions.
PPE including hard hat, hearing protection, eye protection, and other project-specific safety equipment is required.
Travel and extended project assignments may be required.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to take a leadership role on technically challenging microtunneling, pipe jacking, utility tunnel, and underground infrastructure projects.
You'll have direct responsibility for tunneling crews, specialized equipment, production, field execution, safety, and project performance while working alongside experienced heavy civil construction and tunneling professionals.
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Tunnel Superintendent to lead field operations for complex microtunneling, trenchless, underground utility, and tunnel construction projects.
The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience with Microtunnel Boring Machines (MTBMs), pipe jacking, tunneling systems, shafts, underground construction, and specialized tunneling equipment.
This is a field leadership position responsible for supervising tunneling crews, coordinating equipment and resources, maintaining production, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to project plans and specifications.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and supervise daily field operations for microtunneling, tunneling, and trenchless construction projects.
Supervise Tunnel Technicians, operators, mechanics, laborers, and other field personnel.
Coordinate and oversee MTBM setup, launch, operation, retrieval, maintenance, and demobilization.
Supervise proper operation and maintenance of tunneling boring machines and associated systems.
Oversee construction activities involving:
Microtunneling
Pipe Jacking
Tunnel Boring
Launch & Receiving Shafts
Deep Excavations
Trenchless Pipeline Installation
Large-Diameter Underground Utilities
Coordinate shaft construction, tunneling operations, pipe installation, spoil removal, and supporting underground activities.
Monitor line and grade throughout tunneling operations to ensure work meets project requirements.
Coordinate tunneling operations with survey, engineering, project management, and field teams.
Supervise maintenance personnel performing repairs, preventative maintenance, and refurbishment of microtunneling and related equipment.
Troubleshoot equipment and production issues to minimize downtime and maintain tunneling progress.
Assist with determining tunneling equipment requirements, means and methods, and project-specific equipment configurations.
Coordinate mobilization, assembly, shipping, installation, and demobilization of tunneling equipment.
Identify equipment that must be rented or purchased when project requirements exceed existing fleet capabilities.
Maintain appropriate materials, spare parts, tooling, pipe, and equipment inventories to support continuous production.
Develop daily work plans and coordinate manpower, equipment, materials, and subcontractors.
Monitor production rates, crew productivity, equipment utilization, and project progress.
Prepare and maintain daily reports, production records, manpower reports, and payroll documentation.
Work closely with Project Managers, Tunnel Engineers, General Superintendents, and project leadership to maintain schedule and budget.
Identify and resolve field issues that could impact safety, production, schedule, quality, or profitability.
Assist with evaluating, hiring, training, and developing Tunnel Technicians and maintenance personnel.
Maintain strong communication between field crews, project management, engineering, and equipment personnel.
Preferred Project Experience
Candidates with experience in the following areas are highly preferred:
Microtunneling
Microtunnel Boring Machines (MTBM)
Pipe Jacking
Utility Tunnels
Tunnel Boring Machines
Trenchless Construction
Jack & Bore
Auger Boring
Launch & Receiving Shafts
Deep Shafts & Excavations
Large-Diameter Sewer Pipelines
Water & Wastewater Pipelines
Underground Utilities
Deep Sewer Construction
Heavy Civil Infrastructure
Groundwater / Dewatering Operations
Shoring & Excavation Support
Tunneling Equipment Knowledge
The ideal candidate should have hands-on knowledge of tunneling systems and supporting equipment, including:
Microtunnel Boring Machines
Jacking Systems
Guidance & Survey Systems
Slurry Separation Systems
Slurry Pumps & Circulation Systems
Hydraulic Systems
Excavation & Spoil Removal Systems
Ventilation Systems
Dewatering Equipment
Cranes & Hoisting Equipment
Shaft Equipment
Pipe Handling & Jacking Equipment
Safety & Field Leadership
Ensure all tunneling and underground work complies with applicable safety requirements, project specifications, codes, and standards.
Enforce company and project-specific health, safety, and environmental requirements.
Conduct or participate in daily safety meetings, pre-task planning, and Job Hazard Analyses.
Monitor confined-space, excavation, shaft, lifting, and underground construction activities.
Identify unsafe conditions and ensure corrective actions are implemented immediately.
Promote a strong safety culture while maintaining production and quality expectations.
Ensure crews understand daily work plans, potential hazards, and production goals.
Required Qualifications
7+ years of tunneling or underground construction experience.
Strong microtunneling experience highly preferred.
Previous experience as a Tunnel Superintendent, Tunnel Foreman, General Superintendent, Tunnel Supervisor, or similar field leadership position.
Demonstrated experience supervising tunneling and underground construction crews.
Strong knowledge of tunneling means and methods.
Experience with MTBM operations and supporting tunneling systems preferred.
Understanding of pipe jacking, shaft construction, underground utilities, and trenchless installation methods.
Proven ability to manage manpower, equipment, materials, and production.
Strong understanding of construction plans, specifications, line and grade, and field documentation.
Demonstrated history of maintaining project productivity and profitability.
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent leadership and communication skills.
Ability to effectively lead diverse field teams.
Basic computer skills for reporting, communication, and project documentation.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a hands-on tunneling professional who understands the work from the ground down.
The successful candidate should be comfortable leading crews underground, troubleshooting an MTBM or slurry system, coordinating shaft and pipe-jacking operations, evaluating production rates, working with engineers on line and grade, and making field decisions that protect the project's safety, schedule, quality, and profitability.
This role requires someone who understands both tunneling equipment and field production and can keep complex underground operations moving efficiently.
Physical & Work Requirements
Ability to work in active heavy civil, tunneling, and underground construction environments.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
Ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, shafts, and other construction access systems.
Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as required.
Ability to lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to approximately 50 pounds.
Must be comfortable working around heavy equipment and active construction operations.
Ability to work indoors, outdoors, underground, and in varying weather conditions.
PPE including hard hat, hearing protection, eye protection, and other project-specific safety equipment is required.
Travel and extended project assignments may be required.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to take a leadership role on technically challenging microtunneling, pipe jacking, utility tunnel, and underground infrastructure projects.
You'll have direct responsibility for tunneling crews, specialized equipment, production, field execution, safety, and project performance while working alongside experienced heavy civil construction and tunneling professionals.