Resident Engineer-New Jersey

About the role

We are seeking a Resident Engineer to oversee construction activities for complex facility improvement projects for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and similar public agencies, focusing on law enforcement and public safety facilities.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Cook up close 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.
• OSHA 30-hour training certification.
• 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.