Tunnel Superintendent - Microtunneling & Trenchless Construction

Location: Portland, OR | Schedule: Full-time, on-site/field-based

Overview

A heavy civil construction and underground infrastructure contractor is seeking an experienced Tunnel Superintendent to lead field operations for complex microtunneling, trenchless, underground utility, and tunnel construction projects. This is a field leadership role responsible for supervising tunneling crews, coordinating equipment and resources, maintaining production, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to project plans and specifications.

What you'll do

• Lead and supervise daily field operations for microtunneling, tunneling, and trenchless construction projects.
• Supervise Tunnel Technicians, operators, mechanics, laborers, and other field personnel.
• Coordinate and oversee MTBM setup, launch, operation, retrieval, maintenance, and demobilization.
• Supervise proper operation and maintenance of tunneling boring machines and associated systems.
• Oversee construction activities involving microtunneling, pipe jacking, tunnel boring, launch & receiving shafts, deep excavations, trenchless pipeline installation, and large-diameter underground utilities.
• Coordinate shaft construction, tunneling operations, pipe installation, spoil removal, and supporting underground activities.
• Monitor line and grade throughout tunneling operations to ensure work meets project requirements.
• Coordinate tunneling operations with survey, engineering, project management, and field teams.
• Supervise maintenance personnel performing repairs, preventative maintenance, and refurbishment of microtunneling and related equipment.
• Troubleshoot equipment and production issues to minimize downtime and maintain tunneling progress.
• Assist with determining tunneling equipment requirements, means and methods, and project-specific equipment configurations.
• Coordinate mobilization, assembly, shipping, installation, and demobilization of tunneling equipment.
• Identify equipment that must be rented or purchased when project requirements exceed existing fleet capabilities.
• Maintain appropriate materials, spare parts, tooling, pipe, and equipment inventories to support continuous production.
• Develop daily work plans and coordinate manpower, equipment, materials, and subcontractors.
• Monitor production rates, crew productivity, equipment utilization, and project progress.
• Prepare and maintain daily reports, production records, manpower reports, and payroll documentation.
• Work closely with Project Managers, Tunnel Engineers, General Superintendents, and project leadership to maintain schedule and budget.
• Identify and resolve field issues that could impact safety, production, schedule, quality, or profitability.
• Assist with evaluating, hiring, training, and developing Tunnel Technicians and maintenance personnel.
• Maintain strong communication between field crews, project management, engineering, and equipment personnel.
• Ensure all tunneling and underground work complies with applicable safety requirements, project specifications, codes, and standards.
• Enforce company and project-specific health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Conduct or participate in daily safety meetings, pre-task planning, and Job Hazard Analyses.
• Monitor confined-space, excavation, shaft, lifting, and underground construction activities.
• Identify unsafe conditions and ensure corrective actions are implemented immediately.
• Promote a strong safety culture while maintaining production and quality expectations.
• Ensure crews understand daily work plans, potential hazards, and production goals.

Required qualifications

• 7+ years of tunneling or underground construction experience.
• Previous experience as a Tunnel Superintendent, Tunnel Foreman, General Superintendent, Tunnel Supervisor, or similar field leadership position.
• Demonstrated experience supervising tunneling and underground construction crews.
• Strong knowledge of tunneling means and methods.
• Understanding of pipe jacking, shaft construction, underground utilities, and trenchless installation methods.
• Proven ability to manage manpower, equipment, materials, and production.
• Strong understanding of construction plans, specifications, line and grade, and field documentation.
• Demonstrated history of maintaining project productivity and profitability.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively lead diverse field teams.
• Basic computer skills for reporting, communication, and project documentation.
• Hands-on knowledge of tunneling systems and supporting equipment, including Microtunnel Boring Machines, Jacking Systems, Guidance & Survey Systems, Slurry Separation Systems, Slurry Pumps & Circulation Systems, Hydraulic Systems, Excavation & Spoil Removal Systems, Ventilation Systems, Dewatering Equipment, Cranes & Hoisting Equipment, Shaft Equipment, and Pipe Handling & Jacking Equipment.
• Ability to work in active heavy civil, tunneling, and underground construction environments.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, shafts, and other construction access systems.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as required.
• Ability to lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to approximately 50 pounds.
• Must be comfortable working around heavy equipment and active construction operations.
• Ability to work indoors, outdoors, underground, and in varying weather conditions.
• PPE including hard hat, hearing protection, eye protection, and other project-specific safety equipment is required.
• Travel and extended project assignments may be required.

Preferred qualifications

• Strong microtunneling experience highly preferred.
• Experience with MTBM operations and supporting tunneling systems preferred.
• Experience in microtunneling, Microtunnel Boring Machines (MTBM), pipe jacking, utility tunnels, tunnel boring machines, trenchless construction, jack & bore, auger boring, launch & receiving shafts, deep shafts & excavations, large-diameter sewer pipelines, water & wastewater pipelines, underground utilities, deep sewer construction, heavy civil infrastructure, groundwater/dewatering operations, and shoring & excavation support is highly preferred.

Why this role

This is an opportunity to take a leadership role on technically challenging microtunneling, pipe jacking, utility tunnel, and underground infrastructure projects, with direct responsibility for tunneling crews, specialized equipment, production, field execution, safety, and project performance while working alongside experienced heavy civil construction and tunneling professionals.