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Meet Samer Sadek
Boston, MA, U.S.
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With more than 30 years in the industry and a Ph.D. in geotechnical engineering, Samer Sadek is a recognized leader in tunnel design and underground infrastructure. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Samer serves as a principal tunnel engineer at Jacobs, guiding multidisciplinary teams through some of the most technically demanding underground projects in the United States.
Samer’s expertise spans the full lifecycle of tunnel projects — from feasibility studies and conceptual design to final engineering and construction oversight. His portfolio includes more than a dozen major tunnel programs, many exceeding $1billion in construction value and covers a wide range of delivery methods including design-bid-build, design-build and public-private partnerships.
Engineering resilience along the US East Coast
Samer’s leadership in tunnel engineering is especially evident along the Northeast Corridor, where he has guided the early design of the reconstruction of Amtrak’s East and Hudson River Tunnels in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. His work involved designing new benchwalls, implementing direct fixation systems and rehabilitating century-old infrastructure — all while maintaining uninterrupted service in one of the nation’s busiest rail networks.
Further south, Samer played a central role in the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District’s Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel project. He developed the conceptual design and technical specifications for a bored tunnel alternative beneath the Thimble Shoal Channel and continues to oversee design reviews during design-build construction.
In Virginia’s Hampton Roads region, Samer led the concept tunnel design efforts for the Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project, evaluating both bored and immersed tube options. His work included cost estimation, conceptual planning and the development of settlement thresholds to deliver long-term structural integrity and safety.
In Alexandria, Virginia, Samer led the development of the RiverRenew project, named Tunnel Business Magazine’s Tunnel Achievement Award winner for 2025, as a design manager. This challenging infrastructure project featured multiple deep shafts, tunnel boring machine (TBM) tunnel, underground pumpstation and a large open cut combined sewer overflow connection — all aimed at modernizing infrastructure and improving water quality in one of America’s oldest cities.
“Beneath the surface lies a world of complexity. Tunneling is where resilience, safety and ingenuity converge to keep cities moving.”
Samer Sadek
Delivering innovation coast to coast
From Boston to San Francisco, Samer’s work has helped cities modernize aging infrastructure and prepare for future growth. In California, he led the structural design for the Central Bayside Systems Improvement Project — a large-diameter storm sewer tunnel and deep launch shaft that will improve flood resilience and water quality in San Francisco. Samer also worked with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to update and adopt new structures criteria and standards for new underground facilities.
In Seattle, Samer served as principal tunnel engineer for the SR99 Alaskan Way Bored Tunnel, the largest soft ground TBM tunnel ever excavated in North America. His leadership supported safe tunneling beneath downtown Seattle, with a focus on liner design and settlement mitigation for nearby buildings and utilities. His technical expertise also extends to geotechnical engineering, where he has led investigations, developed baseline reports and performed complex soil-structure interaction modeling for underground structures across the country.
Samer is a frequent contributor to industry publications and conferences, including the Rapid Excavation Tunneling Conference and the North American Tunneling Conference. He has coauthored more than a dozen technical papers on tunnel design, risk management and geotechnical modeling and served on national panels, including the Transportation Research Board’s Standing Committee on Tunnels and Underground Structures.
Samer’s legacy is carved deep beneath the surface. Across decades and continents, his work has helped shape the tunnels that move people, protect cities and connect communities. From stormwater systems in San Francisco to rail corridors in New York and underwater crossings in Virginia, Samer has transformed technical challenges into lasting infrastructure.
His designs don’t just support today’s needs — they anticipate tomorrow’s demands. And while much of his work lies hidden underground, its impact is unmistakably above ground: safer cities, smarter systems and a stronger foundation for the future.
Get to know Samer
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30 +
years of experience in tunnel and geotechnical engineering
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20 +
major tunnel projects led across North America
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20 +
technical papers and conference presentations authored
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5 +
professional engineering licenses across U.S. states