Tunnels Lead

Role Overview

WSP is seeking an experienced Tunnels Lead to join the Middle East Transport & Infrastructure team, based in the UAE and supporting projects across the GCC and wider Middle East region. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving excellence in tunnel engineering, overseeing complex underground infrastructure projects, and leading the growth of a specialist design discipline.

Role Purpose

Lead technical excellence in tunnel and underground infrastructure engineering across the Middle East region. Combine deep technical expertise in tunnel design with strong project delivery and people leadership to win and deliver major transportation, rail, metro, highway, utility, and underground infrastructure projects while mentoring multidisciplinary engineering teams and expanding WSP's regional tunnelling capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the regional technical authority for tunnelling and underground infrastructure projects.
• Lead the design and review of TBM tunnels, IMT tunnels, tunnel shafts, underground stations, cut-and-cover structures, retaining systems, and associated underground works.
• Provide expert technical guidance throughout all project phases, from feasibility studies and concept design through detailed design and construction support.
• Ensure designs comply with international standards, local regulations, client requirements, and industry best practices.
• Drive innovation, value engineering, and risk management across all tunnel engineering activities.
• Engage with WSP's global tunnels community to drive technical excellence through knowledge share, future ready, and global WSP initiatives.

Project Delivery

• Lead and oversee the successful delivery of complex tunnel and underground infrastructure projects across the Middle East.
• Manage project technical scope, programme, quality, resource allocation, and commercial performance.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including geotechnical, civil, structural, rail, highways, utilities, and construction specialists.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Support construction supervision teams by providing specialist design advice and resolving complex engineering challenges.

Discipline Leadership

• Develop and drive WSP's tunnels growth strategy across the Middle East region.
• Lead, develop, and grow WSP's Tunnelling discipline within the Middle East.
• Manage and mentor tunnel engineers and technical specialists across multiple offices.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, performance development, and technical capability building.
• Establish and maintain technical excellence frameworks, design processes, and best practices across the discipline.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

Business Development

• Support regional business growth and strategic planning initiatives.
• Engage with clients, contractors, government entities, and key stakeholders across the region.
• Participate in business development activities, client presentations, technical workshops, and industry forums.
• Lead technical inputs for bids, proposals, and major project pursuits.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and contribute to the expansion of WSP's tunnelling portfolio.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Tunnel Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a relevant field is advantageous.
• Minimum 15+ years of professional experience in tunnel and underground infrastructure engineering.
• Proven experience leading the design and delivery of major tunnelling projects, preferably within rail, metro, highway, utility, or underground infrastructure sectors.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and large-scale project delivery.
• Experience working on international projects within the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia, or North America is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of both conventional and mechanized tunnelling methodologies.
• Experience with TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnels.
• Experience with NATM / SEM tunnelling methods.
• Experience with cut-and-cover tunnel design.
• Experience with underground station and shaft design.
• Experience with geotechnical and structural analysis for underground works.
• Experience with ground-structure interaction.
• Experience with temporary works and construction methodologies.
• Experience with tunnel safety, fire life safety, and risk management.
• Proficiency in design software and analytical tools relevant to tunnel engineering and underground structures.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing technical teams.
• Strong project management and commercial awareness.
• Excellent client management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to secure and deliver major engineering commissions.
• Strong communication, presentation, and report-writing capabilities.