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 50,000+ 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. Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s 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 P.Eng. 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).
• Master’s 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.
• 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 aecom.com. 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, you’ll 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 you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll 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. Work with Us. Change the World. At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world. We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.