The TBM Specialist plays a critical role in the safe, efficient, and coordinated execution of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operations through stations and portals on major underground infrastructure projects. Reporting to senior leadership, this role is responsible for planning, supervising, and coordinating all TBM‑related activities within station environments, ensuring works are delivered safely, to specification, on schedule, and in full compliance with project requirements, regulatory standards, and approved methodologies. This role acts as a key interface between TBM crews, construction teams, subcontractors, and other disciplines to manage complex operational interfaces and minimize risk to project delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan, manage, and oversee small‑ to large‑scale construction activities related to TBM operations, ensuring delivery is safe, timely, cost‑effective, and environmentally responsible.
- Conduct site investigations and review technical data including drawings, reports, surveys, test results, and geotechnical information to inform construction planning and execution.
- Carry out technical assessments and feasibility reviews, contributing to the development of construction methodologies, staging plans, and technical documentation.
- Assess construction risks, constructability constraints, materials requirements, logistics, and cost impacts associated with TBM works.
- Provide sound technical advice and proactively resolve operational challenges, design issues, and unforeseen site conditions through practical and innovative solutions.
- Coordinate and communicate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders, including engineers, designers, contractors, subcontractors, and client representatives.
- Monitor progress against the programme and contribute to regular reporting on construction status, risks, and mitigation measures.
- Maintain awareness of project budgets and schedules, supporting procurement planning and the timely availability of equipment, materials, and services.
- Ensure full compliance with applicable legislation, permits, safety standards, environmental requirements, and project procedures, producing technical records and documentation as required.
- Coordinate and supervise all TBM‑related works within stations and portals, ensuring readiness for TBM arrival, breakthrough, crossing, and relaunch activities.
- Supervise station crews preparing worksites and logistics arrangements to safely receive the TBM, including access, temporary works, and construction interfaces.
- Oversee TBM mining crews, in collaboration with shift engineers, during TBM passage through stations, managing activities from initial breakthrough through to disassembly, transit, and relaunch preparation.
- Supervise crews working in stations already crossed by the TBM, ensuring safe and efficient removal, dismantling, relocation, or modification of breakout, break‑in, crossing, and logistics structures.
- Ensure that detailed work procedures, risk assessments, and method statements are developed, approved, communicated, and fully briefed to all crews prior to commencement of activities.
- Verify that approved procedures and safe work practices are strictly followed during execution.
- Develop and maintain look‑ahead schedules, coordinating interfaces with other project teams including Civil, SEM, Survey, Plant, and Logistics to ensure alignment of activities.
- Anticipate procurement needs and subcontractor requirements, ensuring materials, equipment, and specialist services are available in advance of planned works.
- Coordinate and manage subcontractors performing TBM‑related activities under the role’s supervision, ensuring quality, safety, and schedule compliance.
- Proactively plan construction methods and sequencing to optimize safety, productivity, and programme certainty.
- Ensure all temporary works associated with TBM station crossing activities are engineered, reviewed, approved, installed, and maintained in accordance with approved designs, methods, and safety requirements prior to use.