Project Principal Engineer

The Port Authority of NY & NJ; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is seeking a Project Principal to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design delivery for major transportation projects at sites including airports, tunnels, bridges, and rail facilities. You will oversee consultants and in-house staff across planning, design development, and construction.

Reporting to senior design leadership, you will manage scope, schedule, and budget while ensuring high-quality design coordination and A/EOR oversight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Architecture from an accredited college.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in progressively more responsible positions managing a multidisciplinary team in delivering the design of transportation projects.
• Demonstrated leadership and experience managing a diverse workforce.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to be persuasive with staff at all levels.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Internal applicants must meet performance and attendance standards and have completed probationary periods.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design delivery teams for capital and operating projects across planning, design development, and construction.
• Collaborate with internal SMEs and design stakeholders to ensure scope, schedule, and budget alignment.
• Coordinate design services in accordance with project requirements; oversee A/EOR and in-house coordination.
• Schedule and lead design team meetings, manage action items, and identify design synergies across projects.
• Coordinate with Engineers of Projects and Line Department PMs to finalize scope, schedule, and budget.
• Provide timely, transparent project status information and escalate issues when needed.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Office

Primavera P6

SharePoint

SAP

Bluebeam Revu

Job description

About the Role

Join one of the most diverse and innovative engineering design teams, with multiple specialties within the transportation sector. The Port Authority’s airports, ports, ferries, tunnels, bridges, bus terminals and rail transportation systems are important transportation links in the region. The Project Principal (PP) is part of the Design Management group within the Engineering/Architecture Design Division, a multidisciplinary group of engineers, architects and other design professionals within the Agency’s Engineering Department, located at 4 WTC.

Reporting to a Senior Design Executive and working closely with the Office of the Chief of Design, the PP is responsible for leading, managing, and coordinating multidisciplinary design delivery teams comprised of Port Authority employees, consultants, or both, for all assigned capital and operating projects spanning various stages of planning, design development, and construction. Projects include major infrastructure capital projects at Port Authority facilities including Airports, Tunnels, Bridges, Bus Terminals, Marine Ports, Ferries, Rail Transit and the World Trade Center, as well as crucial State of Good Repair and operating projects.

The PP serves as the primary design point of contact accountable for assigned projects. The PP will work collaboratively with the Engineering Project Delivery and Construction Management Division teams, as well as the in-house Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), throughout the project lifecycle. The PP plays a critical role in both Consultant Architect/Engineer of Record (A/EOR) oversight and in-house design coordination and is responsible for coordinating Design Division services in accordance with established project scope, schedule and budget.

Responsibilities

For all project delivery methods:

• Collaborate with the Engineer of Projects and Line Department Project Manager to develop and finalize the project scope of work, schedule and Design Division services budget for approval.
• Lead and coordinate technical project delivery, including coordinated design packages at various design stages, in accordance with the approved project scope, schedule, and budget.
• Manage the productivity and efficiency of the design team throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage consultant design services and audit services by Port Authority staff of design deliverables, including conceptual design, final design drawings, specifications, calculations, and studies performed by consultants.
• Schedule and lead design team progress meetings, maintain and manage project action items, and coordinate with other Project Principals and internal design stakeholders to identify and leverage synergies between projects.
• Provide timely, transparent, and accurate project status information and elevate issues as necessary for resolution.

For Design Bid Build projects:

• Manage design team efforts and coordinate multidisciplinary work to minimize design and contract document coordination issues, including conflicts, interferences and errors/omissions.
• Lead design team efforts to finalize, compile and issue bid documents and complete the QA/QC process. Coordinate with the Engineer of Projects and Line Department Project Manager to obtain required signatures, approvals and permits from internal and external stakeholders, as necessary.
• Coordinate with the Resident Engineer during Stage IV construction and manage appropriate and responsive design team support services, including participation in meetings and site visits, timely RFI responses and submittal reviews, and preparation of PACCs when necessary.

For Alternate Delivery projects:

• Assist the Senior Design Executive and Design Program Manager in coordinating the technical aspects of Design-Build solicitation documents, including the preparation of compliant technical documents to support the development of a Basis of Design.
• Perform ongoing monitoring and oversight of the technical design team, facilitating the expedited review and audit of design submissions, shop drawings and submittals, and providing timely responses to Requests for Information.
• Oversee the work of the technical design team to ensure prescribed workflow strategies are being executed when processing submittals and Requests for Information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Architecture from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in progressively more responsible positions managing a multidisciplinary team in delivering the design of transportation projects, including experience as a Lead Engineer/Architect.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience managing a diverse workforce with varying work backgrounds, expertise, and levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to be persuasive with staff at all levels.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Internal applicants must meet performance and attendance standards and have completed all probationary periods. Applicant’s attendance and job performance records will be reviewed in accordance with Port Authority policy.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in establishing project plans, setting priorities, coordinating activities, handling multiple tasks simultaneously and delegating tasks and responsibilities that are multifaceted and complex.
• Licensed to practice Engineering or Architecture in New York or New Jersey.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Primavera P6, SharePoint, eBuilder, SAP, Bluebeam Revu, PDPS and WinTrak.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and experience in problem-solving, negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and navigate a complex organizational structure.
• Experience managing a large full-service, multidisciplinary technical project team engaged in all phases of engineering design for transportation facilities.
• Rapid adaptability to new information, continuous improvement, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; and a track record of acting decisively and effectively under pressure.
• Results-oriented, with a strong customer focus.
• Thorough knowledge of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Engineering’s project delivery process, including design and construction management, construction cost estimating, and project budgeting and scheduling processes.
• Experience with alternative procurement strategies.
• Working knowledge of applicable building codes and laws governing design in the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey region.
• Experience as a supervisor overseeing the day-to-day performance of two or more direct reports.

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. Click here for more information about benefits, our culture, and career development opportunities.

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: $119,678 Midpoint: $155,582 Maximum: $191,490

In accordance with Port Authority policy, this position permits employees to work remotely a maximum of one day per week. In-person collaboration is essential to how the Port Authority conducts business, and regular in-office days or team collaboration days may be required based on business needs.