Principal Engineer, Tunnel Practice

AECOM is seeking a highly skilled Principal Engineer specializing in large rock caverns and pressurized underground water conveyance systems to join our growing Tunneling Practice in our Markham Mississauga or Burnaby office. 

This role is intended for 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.

At AECOM you will join a global team of 50000 professionals driven by a shared purpose: delivering a better world. Our work improves mobility resilience clean water access and community connectivity across Canada. This is a newly created position. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead 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 for underground works.
• 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 requirement
• 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 a 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 and underground water conveyance systems.
• Support business development activities including proposal preparation technical presentations and client engagement.

Qualifications :

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors Degree in Civil Structural Geotechnical Mining or related Engineering discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of directly relevant experience in the analysis and design of rock tunnels underground caverns and/or pressurized water conveyance structures.
• Hold a . in ON or eligibility to obtain registration within one year of employment.
• Strong technical capability in rock mechanics underground structural design and numerical analysis with demonstrated ability to independently develop and review complex engineering solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• 12 years of progressive underground engineering experience with substantial specialist experience in large rock caverns and pressurized water conveyance systems for hydropower pumped-storage or major water projects (highly preferred).
• Masters Degree or Ph.D. in Geotechnical Rock Mechanics Mining Geological Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience leading or independently checking designs for large rock caverns and high-head/pressurized waterways including pressure tunnels or shafts steel liners and/or penstocks.
• Demonstrated experience with large-span rock excavations and large-diameter tunnels including underground powerhouse transformer caverns surge chambers and major tunnel intersections.
• Technical expertise in rock cavern excavation and support TBM and SEM/NATM rock tunnelling shaft excavation permanent lining design steel liners/penstocks rock reinforcement and underground construction sequencing.
• Strong knowledge of engineering geology hydrogeology and rock mechanics including discontinuities in-situ stress squeezing/spalling block stability anisotropy and excavation-induced damage.
• Advanced proficiency in analytical and nonlinear 2D/3D numerical methods for underground works using tools such as FLAC/FLAC3D RS2/RS3 PLAXIS Abaqus or equivalent.
• Ability to act as an independent technical specialist make defensible engineering decisions with minimal supervision provide senior-level review and communicate effectively with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Direct experience on hydropower pumped-storage water conveyance or other major underground infrastructure projects in North America is highly preferred.
• Recognized industry expertise through publications conference presentations participation in technical committees or contribution to industry standards is considered an asset.

Additional Information :

• Sponsorship for Canadian employment authorization is available for this position.

At AECOM we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status AECOM benefits may include medical dental vision life AD&D disability benefits paid time off leaves of absences voluntary benefits perks flexible work options well-being resources employee assistance program business travel insurance service recognition awards retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities we solve our clients complex challenges in water environment energy transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle from advisory planning design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at . 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts youll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills helping you build the career youve always envisioned. Here youll find a welcoming workplace built on respect collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Artificial intelligence will be used to support the screening assessment and selection of applicants for this role. Final hiring decisions are made by the hiring team.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time