Technical Director Tunnels

Location/s: Croydon, UK
Recruiter contact: Ainsley Anstess

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit 
We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Overview of the role

Our Tunnels team is one of the global leaders in tunnel planning, design and construction in all conditions from soft ground to hard rock. Having planned and designed numerous road, rail, metro, water and service tunnels across the globe including HS2, London’s Thames Tideway East Tunnel, Northern Line Extension and Crossrail, we continue to be involved in many of the most challenging civil/structural and tunnel, underground works and hydro-electric engineering projects.

We are currently looking to recruit an industry leading Technical Director to join our Croydon office to reinforce and grow our regional capability as an important addition to our UK and Global Tunnelling Team.

You will provide technical leadership, strategic direction and assurance for complex tunnelling and underground infrastructure projects globally. You will act as a recognised authority in tunnelling, driving excellence in design, delivery, and client outcomes while supporting business growth and capability development. Ideally, we are looking for someone who can support our current focus on innovation in the digital space.

As a senior member of the Croydon Tunnel Team, you will support the Tunnel Leadership team in the pursuit and delivery of underground infrastructure projects across multiple markets. A significant proportion of the work is expected to be with design-and-build contractors. The portfolio of projects will include design of both transportation and utility tunnels.

You will provide design and integration with other engineering disciplines including structural, geotechnical, environmental, mechanical and electrical engineers covering a range of project requirements from new build to modification, asset maintenance or refurbishment.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Technical Leadership & Assurance
  • Act as Technical Authority for tunnelling and underground works (TBM, NATM/SCL, shafts, stations, immersed tunnels, etc.)
  • Provide independent technical review and assurance on major projects and bids
  • Set and uphold engineering standards, design methodology, and best practice in line with Mott MacDonald procedures
  • Lead resolution of complex technical challenges and risk mitigation strategies
• Project Delivery & Design Leadership
  • Act as Technical Lead / Design Director / Discipline Lead on major programmes
  • Oversee multidisciplinary integration (geotechnical, structures, MEP, fire/life safety, construction sequencing)
  • Ensure delivery of safe, buildable, and cost-effective solutions
  • Support project teams in value engineering and innovation
• Client Leadership & Work Winning
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, providing expert guidance on tunnelling strategy and delivery
  • Lead technical input into bids, proposals, and presentations
  • Support account teams in securing major infrastructure projects (metros, rail tunnels, highways, utilities)
  • Represent Mott MacDonald externally at industry forums (e.g. BTS, ITA)
• Strategic Capability Development
  • Develop and grow tunnelling capability within the Croydon Team
  • Mentor and develop Principal Engineers and emerging leaders
  • Identify and implement innovation, digital engineering, and new methodologies
  • Contribute to technical excellence initiatives and knowledge sharing
• Governance & Risk Management
  • Act as a Design Approver / Checker / Reviewer on high-risk projects
  • Ensure compliance with:
    • Quality management systems (QMS)
    • Health, safety, and CDM requirements
    • Client and regulatory standards
  • Provide oversight on technical risk registers and assurance processes

Key Accountabilities:

• Technical quality and robustness of tunnelling designs
• Successful delivery of technically complex projects
• Contribution to work winning and revenue growth
• Development of internal capability and technical reputation
• Client satisfaction and repeat business

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline (Chartered Engineer – ICE or equivalent)
• Demonstratable significant experience in tunnelling/underground infrastructure
• Strong expertise across:
  • Tunnel design (TBM, SCL/NATM, cut-and-cover, immersed tunnels)
  • Ground engineering and geotechnics
  • Construction methods and sequencing
  • Ideally experience in digital delivery of design solutions
• Track record of leadership on major infrastructure programmes (e.g. metros, rail, water, highways)
• Active participation in industry bodies (e.g. British Tunnelling Society, ITA) 

Key Competencies:

• Deep technical expertise in tunnelling and underground design
• Strategic thinking and client advisory skills
• Leadership of multidisciplinary teams
• Commercial awareness and bid leadership
• Strong communication and influencing ability

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.