Underground Superintendent (Major Subway & Underground Infrastructure Project – New York Metropolitan Area, USA)

Protecnium is an international firm specializing in engineering and technical services, currently seeking an Underground Superintendent for a major subway and underground infrastructure project in the New York metropolitan area. This is an on-site position with an estimated duration of 2 years. When the project ends, we aim to place employees in other projects for continuity.

About the role

The Underground Superintendent will oversee daily field supervision and execution of conventional underground excavation works, including station caverns, mined tunnels, shafts, and associated underground structures. The role involves direct supervision of foremen, union crews, subcontractors, and equipment for drilling, blasting, mucking, scaling, staged excavation, shotcrete application, and ground-support installation.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the daily execution of conventional underground excavation works.
• Coordinate field activities involving station caverns, mined tunnels, shafts, and associated underground structures.
• Directly supervise foremen, union crews, subcontractors, and underground equipment.
• Coordinate drilling, blasting, mucking, scaling, staged excavation, shotcrete, and ground-support installation.
• Organize daily and weekly activities, work shifts, manpower, and equipment allocation.
• Monitor excavation progress and ground conditions; ensure temporary support is installed in the correct sequence.
• Coordinate survey and quality inspections; report unexpected geological conditions or construction issues.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings and coordinate blasting operations and access restrictions.
• Maintain accurate daily production records and manage interfaces with other underground activities.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, environmental, schedule, and production requirements.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in underground construction, tunnelling, or mining operations.
• At least 5 years of experience supervising underground crews, foremen, and subcontractors.
• Demonstrable field experience with drill-and-blast excavation and conventionally mined tunnels or caverns.
• Knowledge of Sequential Excavation Method (SEM) and staged underground excavation sequences.
• Practical experience with drilling, blasting, muck removal, scaling, shotcrete, and ground-support installation.
• Strong understanding of underground equipment, tools, ventilation, access, and material logistics.
• Experience supervising unionized labor and coordinating different trades and shifts.
• Strong commitment to underground safety, productivity, and quality requirements.
• Ability to identify and resolve field issues quickly while maintaining production targets.
• English level: C1 (Advanced).

Schedule

Monday to Friday – 10 hours per day, including a 1-hour lunch break.

Benefits

• 22 paid vacation days + 5 working days of sick leave (100% salary).
• Round-trip flight at the beginning and end of the project if necessary.
• 15 days of hotel accommodation if necessary.
• Vehicle provided for work-related travel.
• Gas provided for work-related travel.
• Company laptop and phone provided.
• Private medical insurance: 50% covered by the company.