Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Underground Utility Engineer

💰 $ - $

EngineeringCivil EngineeringUtilitiesSubsurface Utility Engineering

🎯 Role Definition

The Underground Utility Engineer is responsible for planning, directing and delivering subsurface utility engineering (SUE) and underground utility programs that support civil engineering design and construction. This role leads utility investigation, locating, mapping and coordination activities across water, sewer, storm, gas, electric, telecom and district energy systems; produces accurate 2D/3D utility base drawings and GIS datasets; manages field crews and subcontractors for potholing/vacuum excavation and geophysical surveys; supports permitting and utility relocation design; and provides construction-phase support, quality assurance and stakeholder communication to minimize utility conflicts, schedule risk and cost overruns. Key keywords: Underground Utility Engineer, utility mapping, SUE, vacuum excavation, potholing, AutoCAD Civil 3D, ArcGIS, GPR, utility coordination, utility relocation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Civil Engineer with utility coordination exposure
  • Utility Locator / Survey Technician transitioning to engineering
  • CAD/GIS Technician with subsurface mapping experience

Advancement To:

  • Senior Underground Utility Engineer / SUE Manager
  • Project Manager (Utilities & Infrastructure)
  • Principal/Lead Civil Engineer (Utilities)
  • Utility Design & Coordination Director

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS/Asset Management Specialist
  • Construction Manager / Site Engineer
  • Utility Relocation Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and manage comprehensive subsurface utility engineering (SUE) programs for linear infrastructure and redevelopment projects, defining SUE quality levels (QL-A through QL-D), specifying scope, and delivering accurate, defensible utility records and maps to support design and construction decisions.
  • Plan, coordinate and supervise field investigations including vacuum excavation (potholing), daylighting, hand-excavation, GPR, electromagnetic (EM) locating, CCTV, and hydro/vacuum services, ensuring proper traffic control, permitting and public safety during on-street and confined-site operations.
  • Conduct detailed utility records research and historical plan reviews, compile and reconcile utility owner records, GIS datasets, as-built drawings and third-party data sources to establish preliminary utility base drawings and identify data gaps or conflicts.
  • Produce precise 2D and 3D utility base drawings and deliverables in AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation or equivalent CAD platforms, integrating GIS geodatabases (ArcGIS) and creating layers, attribute tables and metadata consistent with client standards and municipal requirements.
  • Perform utility conflict analysis and clash detection between proposed design elements and existing utilities, quantify risk and recommend design adjustments, relocations or protection measures to avoid costly rework during construction.
  • Prepare detailed utility investigation and design reports (including maps, sketches, test hole logs, photos and chain-of-custody documentation) that meet ASCE SUE standards (e.g., ASCE 38-02, or current applicable standards) and industry best practices such as PAS 128 where required.
  • Coordinate directly with utility owners, municipalities, contractors and stakeholders to schedule investigation access, gain permissions, confirm facility locations and negotiate relocation or protection strategies, maintaining project schedules and minimizing service disruptions.
  • Supervise, mentor and schedule field crews, subcontractors and specialist vendors (GPR, CCTV, vacuum excavation) including scope-of-work development, vendor selection, health & safety compliance checks and performance oversight to ensure quality and on-time delivery.
  • Provide construction-phase support including site walkthroughs, as-built verification, RFI responses, change order evaluations, construction observation for utility installations/relocations and certification of completed utility work against contract documents.
  • Develop cost estimates and time schedules for utility investigation, potholing, design, relocation and protection works, collate budget information for design packages and assist project managers with forecasting and claims mitigation.
  • Manage permitting and right-of-way coordination for utility works (street openings, traffic control permits, ROW encroachments, environmental permits) and prepare permit applications, traffic management plans and utility disturbance notifications to authorities and third parties.
  • Implement and enforce QA/QC processes and data management workflows for utility surveys and deliverables, including validation of locating accuracy, calibration records for survey and locating equipment, review of CAD/GIS deliverables and sign-off procedures prior to client delivery.
  • Maintain and update client and municipal utility asset management systems by delivering clean, attributed GIS data, as-built records and updated utility inventory information to facilitate long-term capital planning and maintenance programs.
  • Interpret geophysical survey outputs (GPR, EM) and survey control data to develop defensible subsurface interpretations, document limitations and confidence levels, and clearly communicate technical uncertainty to design teams and stakeholders.
  • Analyze and manage interface risks related to utility ownership, third-party networks and multi-utility corridors; prepare mitigation strategies, contingency plans and schedule recovery options to reduce project exposure and client risk.
  • Prepare technical specifications, scopes of work and bid packages for utility investigation and relocation works and participate in tender evaluations, contractor selection, onboarding and contract administration.
  • Provide engineering design input for utility relocations and protection including preliminary relocation layouts, valve/connection details, trenchless crossing specifications, structural support for overhead/underground conflicts and sequencing recommendations to minimize outages.
  • Perform field surveying and stakeout activities using GNSS/RTK, total stations and digital data collectors to verify utility locations in plan and profile, produce control points and support coordination between survey and SUE deliverables.
  • Ensure health, safety and environmental compliance on all field operations by developing site-specific safety plans, conducting toolbox talks, maintaining incident logs, and ensuring crews operate in accordance with OSHA, HSE and municipal safety regulations.
  • Review and validate utility owner as-builts and record drawings during design and post-construction, reconcile changes, issue corrected drawings and provide certification that records reflect installed conditions for final acceptance.
  • Provide expert technical guidance and client-facing communications, prepare executive summaries and presentations for municipal councils, utility owners and project steering committees, and act as a subject matter expert in disputes or claims involving underground utilities.
  • Maintain equipment inventories and calibration schedules for locating, geophysical, and survey equipment, manage procurement of specialized tools, and ensure field teams have appropriate PPE and training for safe operations.

Secondary Functions

  • Support business development by preparing SUE-focused scope language, technical proposals, cost estimates and qualifications for bids on utility investigation and relocation contracts.
  • Conduct training sessions and knowledge transfer for junior engineers, field technicians and client staff on SUE best practices, utility mapping standards and safe excavation techniques.
  • Maintain project documentation, invoicing support, timesheets and progress reporting to project managers and clients to facilitate accurate billing and contract compliance.
  • Contribute to corporate standards, templates and continuous improvement initiatives for utility deliverables, CAD/GIS workflows and field-to-office data pipelines.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) methodology and deliverables (QL-A through QL-D) and practical experience specifying and delivering SUE services.
  • Proficient in AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or Bentley MicroStation for production of 2D/3D utility base drawings and coordination models.
  • Strong GIS skills with ArcGIS, QGIS or enterprise geodatabases; ability to create and deliver clean, attributed GIS datasets and metadata.
  • Practical experience with ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic locators, CCTV inspection and interpretation of geophysical survey data.
  • Field experience managing and supervising vacuum excavation (potholing), daylighting, excavation permits and confined-space procedures.
  • Surveying skills including GNSS/RTK, total station control, topographic surveys and integration of survey control into utility mapping products.
  • Knowledge of national and local standards for utility mapping (e.g., ASCE 38-02, PAS 128 or applicable municipal standards) and ability to apply them to scope and deliverables.
  • Construction-phase support skills: RFI/ASIs, change orders, as-built verification, and coordination with contractors and design teams.
  • Proven ability to prepare technical reports, utility investigation logs, CAD deliverables, cost estimates and permit applications.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite, MS Project or Primavera for scheduling, and experience with document management systems and CAD/GIS data workflows.
  • Contract administration and vendor management experience including preparing scopes of work, evaluating bids and overseeing subcontractor performance.
  • Knowledge of utility systems including water, sewer, storm, gas, electric and telecommunications infrastructure and typical installation methods.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent stakeholder engagement and client-facing communication skills with the ability to translate technical risk into business impact.
  • Strong problem solving and analytical skills to interpret incomplete data and recommend practicable field or design solutions.
  • Attention to detail and quality focus for accurate mapping, reporting and final deliverables.
  • Leadership and team management skills for coordinating multi-discipline field crews and subcontractors.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to handle multiple projects, field programs and deliverable deadlines.
  • Negotiation skills to coordinate access, schedule and relocation agreements with utility owners and municipalities.
  • Resilience and adaptability to work in variable field conditions and rapidly changing project needs.
  • Clear technical writing ability to produce reports, specifications and client-facing summaries.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Geomatics/Surveying, Construction Management, or a closely related technical discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree with certifications in Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), PAS 128, or advanced training in geophysical methods; Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Chartered Engineer designation preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Geomatics / Surveying
  • Construction Management
  • Environmental / Utility Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–10 years of progressive experience in underground utility investigation, mapping and coordination; field and office exposure preferred.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years’ direct SUE and underground utility engineering experience with demonstrated delivery of SUE projects and utility relocation designs.
  • Prior supervisory experience leading field crews and managing subcontractors, plus experience working with multiple utility owners and municipal permitting processes.
  • Experience producing CAD and GIS deliverables to national/municipal standards and providing construction-phase utility support.
Explore More Careers