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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.