How to become a tunnelling machine operator

Official title: Tunnelling machine operator

Also called: Earth boring machine operator (construction), Pipe jacking machine operator, Tunnelling machine operator (construction), Ÿ Earth boring machine operator (construction), Ÿ Pipe jacking machine operator

Tunnelling machine operator works on large pieces of tunnelling equipment commonly known as tunnel boring machines. He/she regulates the operation of the machine, adjusting the torque of the rotating cutting wheel and screw conveyor to maximise the stability of the tunnel before tunnel rings are installed. He/she also puts reinforced concrete rings in place using remote controls.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Related jobs

• Excavating/Trench digging machine operator
• Dredge operator
• Pile driver/drilling machine operator

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Questions people ask

Will AI change the work of a tunnelling machine operator?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

• International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026