Senior Principal Electrical Engineer

Description

About the Role

At the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, we're seeking a motivated Senior Principal Electrical Engineer to join our Electrical Engineering design unit, within the Engineering/Architecture Design Division. This group supports planning and design for a wide range of transportation assets, including airports, ports, ferries, tunnels, bridges, rail systems, and bus terminals. The electrical design group provides engineering design services and prepares preliminary and final documents for innovative planning, design, construction, and operation of the most critical electrical and electronics assets within the Port Authority facilities.

Electrical Systems generally include:

• Medium Voltage Distribution, including 27kV, 15kV, and 5kV systems and associated distribution system equipment, including main and unit substations
• Low Voltage Distribution System and associated equipment
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and monitoring systems
• Fire Alarm Systems
• Outdoor/Indoor Lighting Systems

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Chief Electrical Engineer, the Senior Principal Electrical Engineer will be responsible for directing/supervising technical staff in the preparation and delivery of the Engineering Department's workload in support of the Agency's capital projects and major work programs for a Facility. The successful candidate will be required to supervise direct reports to ensure that both routine and complex projects/programs in nature are completed in accordance with the Engineering Department's Quality Control Program and delivered in compliance with the approved schedule and budgets. Projects/programs include engineering studies, including reports and computations, and contract documents in accordance with the Agency's project delivery process (i.e. Stages I to IV). Specific responsibilities include:

• Supervise and review the preparation of Contract Documents consisting of drawings, technical specifications, construction cost estimates, and purchase orders. Lead a team of electrical engineers in producing biddable and constructable Contract Documents to meet the requirements of the Client Department within time schedules and budgets.

• Review preliminary conceptual design work and planning for Capital Projects and Major Work Programs. Provide the Client Department with design alternatives and associated costs for future planning and funding of projects.

• Prepare, provide oversight, and review the preparation of Contract Documents for design-bid-build (DBB) contracts, consisting of drawings, technical specifications, and construction cost estimates.
• Prepare, provide oversight, and review the preparation of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP) Documents for design-build (DB) contracts, including the Requirements and Provisions for Work (RPW), Conceptual Design Drawings, technical specifications, and cost estimates for design and construction.

• Review preliminary and detailed estimates, design criteria for new construction of medium voltage systems and substation design projects, and designs for the alteration of existing structures and utility systems. Evaluate and analyze power demand for systems/components, review criteria including tolerances, dimensions, shapes, and sizes, and determine the properties required in materials and feasible construction methods.

• Provide guidance and direction in Engineering design, including technical analysis and associated economic studies, and make recommendations. Ensure technical integrity, safety, efficient operation, maintainability, and sound economics of the projects.

• Ensure that projects are coordinated with other disciplines, Line Department facilities, and outside entities (electrical utility companies, manufacturer's representatives, consulting engineers, and contractors). Minimize disruption of normal facility operations.

• Manage staff to ensure design services meet the established Quality standards.

• Manage staff participation in field commissioning and testing, including startup and troubleshooting of electrical systems. Ensure technical integrity, contract compliance, safety, efficient operation, maintainability, and minimum downtime of the systems.

• Audit consultant's design to ensure the design conforms to the Scope of Work, codes and Port Authority standards.

• Develop Design Criteria and Design Guidelines for electrical design consultants for both federally and non-federally funded projects. Manage engineers and CAD personnel in the preparation of engineering drawings. Review the writing of specifications for material, equipment, and construction methods and standards. Investigate and make recommendations on the type, terms, and conditions of construction contracts.

• Provide technical assistance to the Line Department and provide expert advice on infrastructure needs, and capital and operating programs development. Designs must ensure safe and reliable operation of facilities.

• Confer with facility personnel and other departments on suggested revisions in contract provisions and material specifications and incorporate improvements in final contracts. Provide guidance and direction in answering questions of bidders regarding contract provisions.

• Planning and designing electrification projects enabling the agency's net-zero goals.

• Ensure that tenant alteration work on P.A. facilities is compliant with the department design guidelines and designed in accordance with the most advanced technology available.

• Maintain knowledge of State-of-the-Art technology and equipment in all relevant areas, as indicated above, for electronic and communication systems.

• Provide effective guidance and supervision to assigned staff. Review staff, implement development plans, and provide or arrange training of assigned staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering college or university.
• Professional Engineer's License in the State of New York or New Jersey.
• Minimum of 12 years of professional design experience performing medium and low voltage electrical distribution systems, SCADA, lighting, and life safety systems. This should also encompass supervisory experience on small to major design projects (projects with $5 million or more in construction contract value).
• Through knowledge of codes, guidelines, and standards, including, but not limited to, NEC, NFPA, Energy Conservation Code, IEEE, ANSI, ADA, Building Codes, and OSHA requirements.
• Proficiency in preparing contract drawings such as power distribution single line, riser and interconnection diagrams, equipment layouts, plans, sections, and standard details.
• Demonstrated experience in leading project teams in the preparation of engineering designs, including preparation of proposals, design coordination, schedule reporting, budget reporting, and briefing senior staff.
• Experience in preparing the scope of work and design criteria for all projects involving consultants and auditing of consultants' design and progress.
• Valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering college or university.
• Experience managing a technical staff of at least five professionals engaged in all phases of electrical engineering design for transportation facilities, including staff training and implementing staff motivation.
• Demonstrated experience in problem solving, negotiations and conflict resolution skills to effectively reach sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and prioritize multiple assignments with multiple disciplines.
• Ability to demonstrate strong conceptualization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills from experience in planning, directing, and managing both routine and complex transportation programs and projects.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work independently and prioritize as required.
• Proficiency in preparing contract documents, drawings and technical specifications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills commensurate with the supervisory responsibilities of the position.
• Excellent presentation skills, including experience making presentations
• Experience in electrical systems design, including substation design, underground power distribution, high, medium, and low voltage power distribution, emergency power, electric motors and controls, grounding, lighting, lightning protection, and SCADA systems.
• Thorough understanding of Con Edison High Tension Manual and specifications
• Experience in factory testing, field testing, and commissioning of medium and low voltage power distribution system equipment
• Proficiency in performing electrical calculations such as equipment sizing, short circuit and coordination studies, voltage drop, load studies etc.
• Proficiency in the use of power analysis software such as ETAP, EZ Power, and SKM Systems Analysis
• Proficient in the use of software applications, such as AutoCAD, Revit MEP, Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

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: $135,018 Midpoint: $175,530 Maximum: $216,034

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.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should apply to this job by clicking on the "Apply Now" button and submitting a resume. The Port Authority of NY & NJ welcomes veteran and military spouse applications.

Only applicants under consideration will be contacted.

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.

Client-provided location(s): New York, NY

Job ID: Port_Authority-17546224

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-03-27T23:42:15