Principal Architect

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is seeking a Principal Architect to lead architectural efforts within the Design Division of the Engineering Department. The role oversees multiple transportation design programs, ensuring quality, codes compliance, and coordination with project managers and staff.

Ideal candidates will have 15+ years in transportation architecture, NY/NJ licensure, and strong leadership, communication, and BIM capabilities.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in Architecture.
• License to practice Architecture in NY or NJ; ability to licensure in both states within six months.
• Fifteen or more years of experience in transportation planning and architecture.
• Experience managing a staff of at least four architects.
• Strong conceptualization, problem solving, and design development skills.
• Teambuilding and resource management proficiency.
• Knowledge of codes and laws for public space planning and design.
• LEED familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects within assigned program management group.
• Implement architectural vision and quality of design for projects.
• Assign projects to designers and project architects and manage their efforts.
• Evaluate staff performance and provide professional development guidance.
• Approve project proposals, budgets, and schedules for submission to Chief Architect.
• Technically verify project designs for codes and life safety requirements.
• Ensure contract drawings are complete, biddable, and ready for signature.
• Interface with program/project managers and resolve QA/QC issues.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Staff management

Communication

Code knowledge

LEED familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Five-year B.Arch or Master’s degree

Master's degree in Architecture

Tools

BIM software

Job description

About the Role

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state public agency operating some of the busiest and most important transportation links in the New York/New Jersey region. Port Authority architects work on a wide range of projects within the general context of transportation and infrastructure. The airports, ferries, tunnels, bridges, and bus and rail terminals form important transportation links in the region. Whether working on a major public project such as an airport terminal rehabilitation, or a support structure such as a firefighting facility, the in-house architectural team is committed to quality and efficiency to serve the design needs of the agency. The architectural unit is part of a multi-discipline group of engineers and other design professionals that form the Engineering Department of the agency. The Port Authority is seeking to fill a position of Principal Architect in the Engineering Department’s Design Division, located at 4WTC, 19th floor.

Description

About the Role

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state public agency operating some of the busiest and most important transportation links in the New York/New Jersey region. Port Authority architects work on a wide range of projects within the general context of transportation and infrastructure. The airports, ferries, tunnels, bridges, and bus and rail terminals form important transportation links in the region. Whether working on a major public project such as an airport terminal rehabilitation, or a support structure such as a firefighting facility, the in-house architectural team is committed to quality and efficiency to serve the design needs of the agency. The architectural unit is part of a multi-discipline group of engineers and other design professionals that form the Engineering Department of the agency. The Port Authority is seeking to fill a position of Principal Architect in the Engineering Department’s Design Division, located at 4WTC, 19th floor.

Responsibilities

• While working under the supervision of the Office of the Chief Architect, the applicant shall be responsible for managing multiple projects within an assigned program management group, that may include multiple public design, state of good repair, and/or large redevelopment project(s).
• The applicant will implement architectural vision, conceptual direction, and the quality of design established by Chief Architect for architectural projects/programs.
• The individual will assign projects to designers and project architects and manage their efforts.
• The applicant will evaluate the performance of assigned permanent and consultant staff and provide performance management through counsel regarding training and professional development.
• The individual shall be responsible for the initial approval of project proposals, including budgets and schedules developed by staff prior to their submission to the Office of the Chief Architect.
• The individual shall be responsible for technical verification of project design, including but not limited to meeting designated codes and standards and life safety requirements.
• The individual shall be responsible for ensuring that contract drawings are complete, biddable, and ready for signature.
• The applicant will interface with various program/project managers, shall be responsible for resolution of all QA/QC issues, and may be required to represent the Office of the Chief Architect to internal and external constituencies.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of a Four-year degree in Architecture.
• A license to practice Architecture in NY or NJ; an ability to achieve licensure in both states within six months of selection for position.
• Fifteen or more years of experience in the field of transportation planning and architecture, personally developing programs and projects that may include the following modes of transportation: airports, rail transit, bus terminals, ferry terminals, vehicular tunnels and toll plazas, open public space, and non-public facilities that support the public infrastructure.
• Experience managing a staff of at least four architects in the production of transportation programs and projects through all phases of design and construction inspection.
• Strong conceptualization, problem solving, technical competency, and decision-making skills as evidenced from experience in directing planning, conceptual design, design development, and contract documents of large and small-scale transportation programs and projects.
• Teambuilding and resource management proficiency that requires skill in persuasion and negotiation of critical issues.
• Working knowledge of all codes and laws applicable to public space planning and design in order to properly manage and develop contract documents for signature by the Chief Architect.
• Familiarity with Agency’s Sustainable Building Design and Infrastructure Guidelines and/or LEED.
• Superior oral and written communication, and presentation skills.

Desired Qualifications

• A Five-year professional degree (B. Arch.) or Master's degree in Architecture
• Architectural licenses in both the states of New York and New Jersey.
• Experience managing projects produced with BIM software.
• LEED Accreditation.

Selection Process

The application process varies by position but typically includes an initial phone interview for qualified candidates, followed by a more in-depth interview(s) and/or assessment(s). Selected candidates who are made a conditional job offer will be asked to undergo a background check.

Compensation, Benefits & On-Site Collaboration Requirements

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey offers a competitive benefits package and a professional environment that supports development and recognizes achievement. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey anticipates that the actual salary offered to a successful candidate will depend on aspects such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and internal factors. The expected compensation range for this role is: Minimum: $106,392 Midpoint: $138,297 Maximum: $170,222. In accordance with Port Authority policy, this position permits employees to work remotely a maximum of one day per week, subject to operational and business needs.

About The Port Authority

Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency's network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than twenty three billion in annual wages and eighty billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey/Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the Port Authority’s policy, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws, to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment and who request the Port Authority do so, unless providing the requested accommodation would result in an undue hardship to the Port Authority. Job applicants may request a reasonable accommodation (1) if they claim a disability is affecting the interview process, or (2) to ensure that if they are selected for a position, they can perform the essential job functions. To submit a request, please contact the recruiter or email the Human Resources Department’s Disability Accommodation Coordinator at [email protected] . The Port Authority will treat any request for Reasonable Accommodation by a job applicant confidentially.