Resident Engineer-New Jersey

HDR, Inc.; Pennington (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. seeks an experienced Resident Engineer to lead on-site construction oversight for complex facility improvement projects in New Jersey, including law enforcement and public safety facilities.

The role involves managing a staff of engineers and inspectors, coordinating with NJTA and state agencies, and ensuring safety, quality, and schedule compliance in occupied environments. PE license preferred; local NJ familiarity a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or closely related field.
• 10 years related construction experience including estimating, bidding, purchasing, scheduling and field engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in New Jersey preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Bluebeam, estimating & scheduling software and web-based collaboration tools.

Responsibilities

• Oversee on-site construction activities for complex facility improvement projects for public agencies in NJ.
• Manage a staff of field engineers, inspectors, and staff such as Office Engineers and project controls.
• Supervise renovations and upgrades within active police and public safety facilities.
• Coordinate with NJTA, State Police, contractors, and utilities to ensure safe, efficient work in occupied facilities.
• Lead weekly progress meetings and coordinate phasing, access, and schedule recovery actions.
• Monitor contractor performance, manage change orders, and resolve construction claims.
• Ensure documentation: daily reports, RFIs, submittals, and as-built verifications.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior field staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Bluebeam

Estimating software

Scheduling software

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe construction services are more than project delivery, they’re about safeguarding quality, safety, and trust at every step. As part of HDR’s Field Services team, you’ll be on the front lines of infrastructure development, making sure that what’s designed is built to the highest standards. From highways and bridges to water treatment plants, transit systems, and power facilities, your work ensures that our clients’ visions become reality, with precision, integrity, and excellence. Our construction professionals; Construction Managers, Inspectors, Resident Engineers, and field specialists bring deep technical knowledge, hands‑on experience, and a commitment to quality that sets industry benchmarks. Your contributions are critical to delivering successful, resilient infrastructure. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead in the field, uphold the highest standards, and leave a legacy of quality that communities can rely on for generations. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

In the role of Resident Engineer, we'll count on you to:

• Serve as the on‑site Resident Engineer overseeing construction activities for complex facility improvement projects for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and similar public agencies, with a focus on law enforcement and public safety facilities.
• Manage a staff of construction professionals including Assistant Resident Engineers, Office Engineers, Field Inspectors, specialty inspectors, and project controls support staff.
• Oversee renovation, alteration, and upgrade work within active State Police and public safety facilities, ensuring continuous operations are maintained during construction (phased construction, temporary operations plans, secure access/egress, and controlled work zones).
• Supervise construction of building systems including mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), HVAC, fire protection, emergency power, security/access control, communications/IT infrastructure, architectural, structural, and site/civil improvements.
• Coordinate closely with NJTA representatives, State Police leadership, facility operations, contractors, and utility providers to plan and execute work safely and efficiently within secure and occupied environments.
• Run weekly construction progress meetings and lead coordination on phasing, logistics, access restrictions, and schedule recovery actions as needed.
• Monitor contractor compliance with NJTA specifications and contract documents, as well as applicable safety, security, and facility operational requirements typical of State Police and public safety facilities.
• Oversee schedule adherence, cost control, QA/QC inspections, testing, commissioning/start‑up, substantial completion, and final acceptance/turnover.
• Review and process contractor payment applications, change orders, claims, time extensions, field directives, and dispute resolution items.
• Ensure thorough documentation of field conditions, daily reports, inspection logs, material approvals, RFIs, submittals, security‑related constraints, and as‑built verification.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to less‑experienced field staff.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of construction experience with at least 5 years serving as Resident Engineer on major public agency projects.
• Demonstrated experience serving as Resident Engineer on State Police, law enforcement, emergency management, corrections, or comparable secure/public safety facility renovations (occupied and operational facilities preferred).
• Experience working with NJTA or comparable public agencies such as NJDOT, NJ Transit, PANYNJ, NJSP, or other state authorities.
• Strong background in MEP systems, building renovations, and coordination of multiple disciplines (architectural/structural/MEP/security/IT) in secure environments.
• Experience overseeing security/access control systems, CCTV, intrusion detection, secure communications, and other public safety facility technology upgrades.
• Proven ability to manage contractor performance, negotiate change orders, control costs, and resolve construction claims.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills, including confidence interacting with senior client stakeholders in high‑sensitivity environments.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in New Jersey preferred.
• Preference given to local candidates familiar with NJTA standards, procedures, and documentation requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or closely related field
• 10 years related experience in various aspects of construction including estimating, bidding, preparing purchase orders and subcontracts, scheduling, and field engineering

Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.

• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); Bluebeam, estimating & scheduling software, and web‑based document collaboration software
• Experience developing and managing construction engineering and inspection programs
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location

United States-New Jersey-Pennington

Other Locations

United States-New Jersey-Newark

Industry

Construction, Project Controls & Design/Build

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass : Field Services

Job Posting

May 8, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great thingspossible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.