Senior Tunnel Project Manager – Microtunneling & Trenchless Construction

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Tunnel Project Manager to lead complex microtunneling, pipe jacking, trenchless, deep sewer, and large-diameter underground pipeline projects throughout the West Coast.

This position will have overall responsibility for the successful delivery and profitability of major tunneling and underground infrastructure projects ranging from approximately $10 million to $100 million+.

The ideal candidate will have extensive heavy civil project management experience with specific expertise in microtunneling, tunnel boring, pipe jacking, shaft construction, deep excavations, and large-diameter water/wastewater pipelines.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for project financial performance, field execution, contract management, risk, schedule, client relationships, and development of project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead major tunneling and underground infrastructure projects from preconstruction through final completion and closeout.
• Manage projects ranging from approximately $10M to $100M+.
• Provide leadership to project teams of 10+ employees, including Project Managers, Project Engineers, Tunnel Superintendents, Tunnel Engineers, and field personnel.
• Manage projects involving:
  • Microtunneling
  • Pipe Jacking
  • Tunnel Boring
  • Utility Tunnels
  • Deep Sewer Pipelines
  • Large-Diameter Pipelines
  • Launch & Receiving Shafts
  • Deep Excavations
  • Trenchless Installations
  • Water & Wastewater Infrastructure
• Take ownership of project budget, revenue, margin, forecasting, cash flow, and overall profitability.
• Develop and maintain accurate cost-to-complete forecasts and project financial reports.
• Manage multiple complex projects or major project phases simultaneously.
• Work closely with Tunnel Superintendents and field leadership to develop construction sequencing, manpower plans, equipment requirements, and production goals.
• Monitor tunneling production, labor productivity, equipment utilization, subcontractor performance, and material costs.
• Identify project risks early and develop strategies to protect safety, schedule, budget, and margin.
• Review and negotiate change orders, claims, differing site conditions, and other contractual issues.
• Manage owner contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, procurement, and major equipment commitments.
• Oversee project schedules and develop recovery plans when necessary.
• Coordinate with owners, engineers, municipalities, agencies, subcontractors, suppliers, and other project stakeholders.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing clients while identifying opportunities for repeat business and future projects.
• Lead project meetings and communicate project status, risks, financial performance, and schedule to executive leadership.
• Mentor and develop Project Managers, Project Engineers, and other project staff.
• Maintain a strong culture of safety, accountability, quality, and operational excellence.

Tunneling & Underground Expertise

Candidates should have significant experience with several of the following:

• Microtunneling / MTBM
• Pipe Jacking
• Utility Tunnels
• Tunnel Boring Machines
• Trenchless Construction
• Jack & Bore
• Auger Boring
• Launch & Receiving Shafts
• Deep Shafts
• Deep Excavations
• Shoring Systems
• Large-Diameter Sewer
• Water Transmission Pipelines
• Wastewater Infrastructure
• Underground Utilities
• Groundwater / Dewatering
• Slurry Systems
• Ground Improvement

Strong knowledge of tunneling means and methods, production rates, equipment requirements, ground conditions, shaft construction, line and grade, and underground safety is highly desirable.

Project Financial & Commercial Management

The Senior Tunnel Project Manager will have direct responsibility for:

• Project Budget Management
• Cost-to-Complete Forecasting
• Revenue & Margin Forecasting
• Cash Flow
• Job Cost Management
• Labor & Equipment Productivity
• Change Order Management
• Claims Management
• Contract Administration
• Procurement
• Subcontractor Management
• Schedule Management
• Risk Management
• Project Profitability

Candidates must have a demonstrated history of identifying financial and operational issues early and taking appropriate action to protect project performance.

Estimating & Preconstruction

• Review estimates prepared by estimating and preconstruction teams.
• Validate quantities, production assumptions, crew compositions, equipment requirements, and tunneling means and methods.
• Participate in constructability and risk reviews.
• Evaluate geotechnical information and its potential impact on tunneling operations.
• Review shaft requirements, tunneling equipment selection, production rates, and project sequencing.
• Participate in final bid reviews and project pursuit strategy.
• Provide historical cost and production information to improve future estimates.
• Lead successful project handoffs between estimating and operations.

Client & Business Development

• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with public agencies, municipalities, utility owners, engineers, and industry partners.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for project owners and key stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for additional work and future project pursuits.
• Participate in interviews, proposals, negotiations, and business development activities.
• Support strategic pursuit of major tunneling and underground infrastructure projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant heavy civil construction experience.
• Minimum 4+ years directly managing tunneling or trenchless construction projects.
• Proven experience managing large and complex heavy civil projects.
• Strong background in microtunneling, pipe jacking, tunneling, or deep underground pipeline construction.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects profitably.
• Strong understanding of project financials, forecasting, contracts, scheduling, and risk management.
• Ability to analyze project data and make timely operational and financial decisions.
• Strong leadership and team-development capabilities.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary project and field teams.
• Strong client relationship and negotiation skills.
• Ability and willingness to participate in business development and project pursuits.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive microtunneling and pipe-jacking experience.
• Experience with projects involving deep, large-diameter sewer or water pipelines.
• Experience managing projects valued at $50M–$100M+.
• Experience working with public agencies and municipal utility owners.
• West Coast heavy civil and underground construction experience.
• Design-Build, CM/GC, Progressive Design-Build, or other alternative delivery experience.
• Experience managing challenging geotechnical and groundwater conditions.
• Strong relationships within the tunneling, trenchless, water, and wastewater construction markets.

Technical Skills

Experience with construction management and project controls platforms is preferred, including:

• Primavera P6
• HCSS HeavyJob / HeavyBid
• Procore
• Bluebeam Revu
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Cost forecasting and project accounting systems

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a senior project leader who understands tunneling from both the operational and commercial sides of the business.

The successful candidate should be equally comfortable reviewing a $50M project forecast, evaluating MTBM production with a Tunnel Superintendent, reviewing geotechnical risks, negotiating a major change order with an owner, or helping the estimating team develop a strategy for the next tunneling pursuit.

This individual will take ownership of safety, people, production, schedule, financial performance, risk, client relationships, and profitability.

Location

West Coast – California, Oregon & Washington

Travel and extended assignments to active tunneling and underground infrastructure projects may be required.

Work Environment

• Full-time leadership position.
• Combination of project office and active construction site responsibilities.
• Regular interaction with tunneling crews, heavy equipment, owners, engineers, and subcontractors.
• Ability to work around active heavy civil and underground construction operations.
• Appropriate PPE required while onsite.
• Ability to travel based on project requirements.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to take a senior leadership role delivering technically challenging microtunneling, pipe jacking, utility tunnel, deep sewer, and large-diameter pipeline projects.

You'll have direct responsibility for project execution, financial performance, tunneling operations, client relationships, team development, and future project pursuits, with the opportunity to help grow a specialized tunneling and trenchless construction operation.