Graduate Tunnelling and Underground Structures Engineer - Birmingham (2027 Start)

AECOM offer a comprehensive tunneling and underground structures consultancy service to clients seeking cost effective, buildable, state of the art underground infrastructure projects.  The AECOM team has proven global design experience covering a wide range of tunnels and structures in varying and challenging geological conditions.  Our collaborative team has successfully delivered sustainable projects in today’s congested cities.    

Our current portfolio of projects are wide ranging.  These include London Power Tunnels, Elephant and Castle Station upgrades, Pumped Hydro Storage schemes, Snowdonia Power Tunnels and the Thames Tideway Sewer.  We are also delivering work for Network Rail, Water Authorities and the UK’s Geological Disposal Facility for radioactive waste.   

An example project is London Power Tunnels 2 where AECOM were engaged by a contractor on behalf of National Grid to carry out the detailed design of eight deep shafts (around 15m diameter and 50m deep) in congested areas of London and a 33km tunnel connecting them.  These shafts were constructed in some challenging ground conditions and using a range of construction techniques including secant piling, sprayed concrete linings and segmental linings.  Our design included the large covering structures to the shafts and a building on top to house plant.  Tunnelling engineers worked as part of a large multidisciplinary and international team to deliver this high-profile project.  We are actively pursuing similar schemes.

Job Responsibilities 

Tunnelling and underground structures engineering graduates at AECOM will work on a range of projects including:   

• Work within a wide range of sectors offering a challenging and varied workload, including: Water transfer tunnels; Highway tunnels; rock caverns, Standard & light rail; Mining; Airport infrastructure; Onshore & offshore tunnels; Power tunnels;
• Application of civil, structural and geotechnical knowledge gained throughout your degree;
• Feasibility studies & optioneering, through preliminary and detailed design; in particular the importance of understanding how designs can be constructed safely;  
• Tunnel, shaft and cavern designs in hard & soft ground using a variety of construction methods;  
• Identifying and resolving complex engineering problems using finite element software backed up by solid empirical methods;  
• In time you will be required to lead small projects or elements of larger projects and provide support and advice to other members of the team; 
• Identifying opportunities to expand the existing business through client managers to build a broad and influential network through effective communication.