Project Director, Tunnels & Underground Infrastructure, for COWI in North America

Project Director, Tunnels & Underground Infrastructure

California (Long Beach, San Diego, Oakland)

Regular, Full-Time

Hybrid

Do you want the opportunity to co-create with our experts on some of the most prestigious infrastructure programs in North America? Can you navigate the changing landscape of the market by adapting strategies swiftly, capitalizing on emerging opportunities, and mitigating risks? Are you driven to support growth, encourage innovation, and create meaningful outcomes? Then, this is the place to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow.

Create Solutions that will enable a better tomorrow

We are seeking a highly motivated Project Director – Tunnels and Underground Infrastructure to join our growing North American team in California. In this leadership role, you will manage the design and delivery of complex projects across California, including projects within heavy civil, rail, transit, tunnels, and associated civil structures. Our projects are delivered through a mix of traditional and Alternative Project Delivery methods. You will be responsible for assisting with the management of multidisciplinary teams as well as managing the delivery of your own tasks in terms of budget, quality, and timelines. Solid project management and technical skills required.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Lead and manage complex multi-disciplinary tunnel & underground infrastructure projects for public and private clients, including but not limited to, Alternative Delivery Methods, Design-Bid-Build, Design & Build, P3, and similar.
• Oversee all phases of project technical delivery, including conceptual design, preliminary engineering, final design, and construction support.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with public agency clients and key stakeholders, including Design & Build Contractors, third-party utility agencies, and community groups.
• Support business development efforts in partnership with Market Directors, including strategy, positioning, proposal development, interviews, and client engagement for major programs across California.
• Provide technical leadership across tunnel projects, including bored tunnels, immersed tubes, trenchless methods, slurry walls, and related underground structures.
• Manage project teams of 5–25+ staff and subcontractors, ensuring adherence to project scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards on infrastructure programs exceeding $M in construction value.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for client project managers, responsible for contract management, fee negotiations, schedule performance, and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with internal global centers of excellence to leverage specialized expertise and ensure high-quality project delivery while managing local compliance and permitting requirements.
• Ensure strict compliance with internal quality management systems, overseeing project controls, financial reporting, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication.
• Mentor and guide team members and technical staff, promoting professional growth and a culture of high-quality delivery.

Your skills. Our team. Together we design the future.

The first step to success in this role is that you are eager to collaborate with the people around you, whether they are colleagues, partners, or customers. Developing ties with others is something you do by acting respectfully and delivering on your promises. And you never get set in your ways, but keep exploring new insights and ways to improve.

On top of that, you will have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Geotechnical Engineering (Master’s preferred) with 18+ years of experience in tunnel and underground infrastructure project delivery.
• A Professional Engineer (PE) license in California (required), with technical credibility in tunneling and heavy civil works.
• Demonstrated experience leading tunnel projects as a Project Manager or Project Director, with an established presence and credibility in the California market, particularly Los Angeles / Long Beach.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver complex, multidisciplinary underground projects, with full accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and commercial performance within California public works frameworks
• Experience working with D&B Contractors, Public Clients, and Agencies in California.
• Experience operating in a seller-doer capacity, contributing to business development, supporting pursuits, helping grow the tunnel sector on the West Coast, and mentoring and coordinating project teams.
• Ability to work with staff located remotely.
• Ability and willingness to travel, predominantly in North America.