Principal Engineer, Tunnel Practice

About the role

AECOM is seeking a highly skilled Principal Engineer specializing in large rock caverns and pressurized underground water conveyance systems to join its growing Tunneling Practice in the Markham, Mississauga or Burnaby office. The role suits a senior technical specialist with extensive experience in the analysis and design of large underground caverns in rock, pressure tunnels, pressure shafts, steel-lined and concrete-lined waterways, penstocks and other complex underground structures for pumped storage, hydropower, water conveyance and major infrastructure projects. It is a newly created position.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design of large rock caverns, pressurized tunnels and shafts, penstocks and underground water conveyance systems.
• Perform and review 2D/3D rock mechanics and structural analyses for caverns, tunnels, shafts, supports and linings.
• Develop and review rock support, concrete and steel lining, and pressure-containment concepts.
• Provide technical guidance on engineering geology, rock mass characterization, in-situ stress and geotechnical design parameters.
• Define design criteria, analysis methods, excavation and support concepts, construction sequencing and technical requirements.
• Lead technical reviews, constructability, value engineering and risk assessments, and review key design deliverables.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and mentor engineers supporting tunnel and underground structure design.
• Serve as technical lead and subject matter expert for major underground infrastructure, hydropower and pumped-storage projects.
• Provide independent design review and technical assurance for complex underground structures.
• Support business development, including proposal preparation, technical presentations and client engagement.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, Geotechnical, Mining or a related engineering discipline.
• At least 6 years of directly relevant experience in the analysis and design of rock tunnels, underground caverns and/or pressurized water conveyance structures.
• P.Eng. in Ontario or eligibility to obtain registration within one year of employment.
• Strong technical capability in rock mechanics, underground structural design and numerical analysis, with the ability to independently develop and review complex engineering solutions.
• Preferred: 12+ years of progressive underground engineering experience, a Master's or Ph.D., and direct experience on hydropower, pumped-storage or major water conveyance projects in North America.

Required skills

• Advanced proficiency in analytical and nonlinear 2D/3D numerical methods, using tools such as FLAC/FLAC3D, RS2/RS3, PLAXIS, Abaqus or equivalent.
• Technical expertise in rock cavern excavation and support, TBM and SEM/NATM rock tunnelling, shaft excavation, permanent lining design, steel liners/penstocks and rock reinforcement.
• Knowledge of engineering geology, hydrogeology and rock mechanics, including discontinuities, in-situ stress, squeezing/spalling, block stability and anisotropy.

Additional information: sponsorship for Canadian employment authorization is available, and new hires must attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office. Benefits depend on employment status and may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability, paid time off, flexible work options, a retirement savings plan and an employee stock purchase plan.