Tunnelling Specialist

Tunnelling Specialist

Hybrid Working - Dublin

24 Month contract

Position Description

The Tunnelling Specialist will support our client in managing technical engagement with EirGrid during the formal Pre‑Development and Early Engagement (PDEE) process for proposed tunnelling works associated with future ESB Networks infrastructure. The role provides focused tunnelling expertise to help our client assess and respond to early-stage proposals, ensuring that our clients technical, operational and delivery requirements are clearly represented.

Working within the PDEE framework, the specialist will review and interrogate our clients tunnelling documentation, including feasibility reports, route assessments, construction methodologies and programme assumptions. The role involves coordinating and consolidating feedback from multiple EMP teams, including HV Linear Assets Delivery, Networks Project Delivery, and Civil & Environmental Engineering, with particular emphasis on the Geotechnical function.

The specialist will help align internal stakeholders around technical positions, identify risks and constraints, and highlight organisational readiness actions required for our clients first major tunnelling project. This will include identifying information gaps, resourcing implications, and areas requiring further investigation or technical assurance.

The Tunnelling Specialist will report directly to the HV Linear Assets Delivery Team Leader and will work closely with Project Managers, Designers, Team Leaders and subject-matter experts across EMP.

Key Responsibilities

• Interrogate EirGrid tunnelling documentation, assessing feasibility, constructability, methodologies and programme assumptions.
• Provide clear technical feedback to ensure ESB's engineering, operational and delivery requirements are reflected in early‑stage proposals.
• Coordinate input from EMP stakeholders (HV Linear Assets Delivery, Networks Project Delivery, Civil & Environmental/Geotechnical) to form a consistent ESB position.
• Identify risks, constraints and information gaps in EirGrid submissions and recommend areas requiring further investigation or assurance.
• Evaluate technical and delivery impacts of proposed tunnelling works on ESB infrastructure and future project interfaces.
• Support EMP in building organisational readiness for delivering ESB's first tunnelling project, including highlighting resourcing, capability and procedural needs.
• Develop practical recommendations for preparing ESB to deliver large‑scale tunnelling projects, including potential future programmes.
• Prepare concise reports and briefings summarising review findings and stakeholder input to support internal decision‑making

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Extensive tunnelling and/or geotechnical engineering experience across multiple phases of project development and delivery.
• Strong understanding of soil and rock mechanics, ground behaviour, and site investigation methodologies.
• In‑depth knowledge of modern tunnelling techniques, including Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), cut‑and‑cover construction, and micro‑tunnelling systems.
• Proficiency in dewatering, grouting, and waterproofing technologies and their application in complex ground conditions.
• Ability to implement, analyse, and interpret ground movement and structural monitoring systems.
• Skilled in reviewing, evaluating, and constructively challenging third‑party tunnelling methodologies, proposals, and programme documentation.
• Excellent coordination, communication, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within dynamic, multi‑disciplinary project environments
• Strong strategic awareness, with the ability to identify readiness requirements, risks, and gaps in emerging project proposals.
• A minimum of 10 years' experience in tunnelling projects, ideally within the utilities or broader infrastructure sectors.

Desirable

• Deep knowledge of underground safety regulations
• Experience in the Identification of geohazards (faults, water inflows, settlement risk)
• Knowledge of Shaft sinking and underpinning methods
• Extensive experience in the assessment of ground behaviour under excavation
• Experience working in client or utility‑side interfaces or structured review processes
• Multi-disciplinary teams project leadership experience
• Familiarity with Irish regulatory and consent processes, including planning, environmental and geotechnical reporting requirements.

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 8 Engineering Degree (or equivalent qualification)
• Chartered Engineer status with Engineers Ireland or an equivalent internationally recognised professional engineering body

ersg are an equal opportunities employer; we are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all job applicants. We do not discriminate against applicants on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or religious background; all decisions are based on merit.