Trenchless Technology Specialist

Overview

Brown and Caldwell (BC) is seeking a Trenchless Technology Specialist / Design Consultant at the Senior Associate career stage to support planning, design, and construction of trenchless conveyance infrastructure projects. This role is a senior technical position focused on delivery excellence, risk management, and application of best practices for trenchless technologies, including microtunneling, tunneling, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), jack-and-bore, pilot tube methods, and related underground construction techniques
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The Senior Associate will serve as a technical lead and subject matter resource on trenchless and geotechnical aspects of complex water, wastewater, and utility projects. The role emphasizes hands-on technical contribution, mentoring of staff, and participation in business development—without the enterprise-wide leadership, governance, or people-management expectations associated with Managing Principal or National Specialty Leader roles.

• Serve as a technical lead or senior contributor for trenchless and underground components of projects, from planning and alternative evaluation through design and construction support.
• Provide expert input on method selection, alignment development, ground behavior, constructability, and risk identification for trenchless installations.
• Support development and review of geotechnical data reports (GDRs), geotechnical baseline reports (GBRs), trenchless design criteria, specifications, and contract documents.
• Apply industry standards and best practices to trenchless design and construction support, with attention to risk allocation and standard-of-care considerations.
• Support construction-phase services including submittal review, RFIs, NCRs, and technical consultation during installation.

• Identify and evaluate trenchless-specific risks (ground conditions, mixed-face tunneling, obstructions, groundwater, settlement, heave, loss of ground, and installation tolerances).
• Contribute to project risk registers and mitigation strategies related to trenchless construction and geotechnical uncertainty.
• Provide constructability input during early design and alternative evaluation to reduce cost, schedule, and performance risks.

• Act as a technical mentor and resource for junior and mid-level engineers supporting trenchless and underground work.
• Collaborate with civil, structural, and construction teams to integrate trenchless solutions into overall project delivery.
• Coordinate with specialty subconsultants and support their scopes, deliverables, and quality.

• Support proposal development, including technical approaches, risk narratives, and participation in client interviews as needed.
• Contribute to development and refinement of trenchless technical guidance, tools, and best practices in coordination with BC's Trenchless Technology leadership.
• Participate in professional organizations and industry activities related to trenchless technology and underground construction.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering (Master's degree preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required; ability to obtain licensure in multiple states as needed.
• Typically 10-15+ years of progressive experience supporting trenchless and underground infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience with one or more trenchless methods, such as microtunneling, HDD, jack-and-bore, or tunneling.
• Strong understanding of geotechnical engineering principles as applied to underground construction, including soil/rock behavior, groundwater, ground improvement, and excavation support.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing technical memoranda, reports, specifications, and client-facing deliverables.

• Experience supporting Design-Build, CMGC, or alternative delivery
• Familiarity with trenchless-related industry standards and guidance (e.g., ASCE, ASTM, AWWA, AREMA, FHWA).
• Experience with construction support, claims avoidance, and dispute-related technical…