Associate Project Director, Tunnel, for COWI in North America

COWI•San Diego, CA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lead the delivery of complex tunnel and underground infrastructure projects, ensuring performance across scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk management. Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and stakeholders, particularly within California public agencies and heavy civil infrastructure sectors. Contribute to business development as a seller-doer by identifying opportunities, supporting proposals, and helping grow the tunnel pipeline across the West Coast. Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, aligning technical expertise and resources while providing leadership through clear direction and indirect people management. Provide technical leadership across tunnel projects, including bored tunnels, immersed tubes, trenchless methods, slurry walls, and related underground structures. Support team development and delivery excellence by mentoring staff and ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and project management standards.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Geotechnical Engineering (Master’s preferred) with 15+ years of experience in tunnel and underground infrastructure project delivery
A Professional Engineer (PE) license in California (required)
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
Technical expertise across tunneling methods, including bored tunnels, immersed tubes, trenchless technologies, slurry walls, and underground structures
Extensive client relationship management experience, including working with public agencies, supporting contract negotiations, managing risk, and delivering high client satisfaction
Demonstrated success in financial and commercial performance, including managing margins and securing follow-on work
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

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Geotechnical Engineering

Responsibilities

Lead the delivery of complex tunnel and underground infrastructure projects, ensuring performance across scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk management
Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and stakeholders, particularly within California public agencies and heavy civil infrastructure sectors
Contribute to business development as a seller-doer by identifying opportunities, supporting proposals, and helping grow the tunnel pipeline across the West Coast
Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, aligning technical expertise and resources while providing leadership through clear direction and indirect people management
Provide technical leadership across tunnel projects, including bored tunnels, immersed tubes, trenchless methods, slurry walls, and related underground structures
Support team development and delivery excellence by mentoring staff and ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and project management standards