About the Role
The Engineering & Architecture Associates Program is a two-year rotational program at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey open to Engineering and Architecture students who are receiving a bachelor’s or master’s degree between September 2026 and May 2027. During their first year, Associates rotate through different Engineering/Architecture disciplines. Associates also rotate through different Port Authority facilities, like: George Washington Bridge; Holland Tunnel; JFK Airport; LaGuardia Airport; Lincoln Tunnel; Newark Airport; PATH; World Trade Center; and more. In their second year, Associates focus on the discipline they accepted an offer for. In addition to gaining hands-on experience and becoming part of the team in each rotation, the Engineering & Architecture Associates Program also provides mentorship, professional development, training, networking, and facility tours.
Associates are full-time, permanent employees with a yearly salary and benefits. After successful completion of the program, Associates remain permanent employees and are promoted to Associate Engineer/Architect. As of 2026, there are close to 200 program alumni still working at the agency. Most Associates grow their careers within the Engineering Department while others transition to roles in other departments like: Aviation; Operations Services; Major Capital Projects; PATH; Planning & Regional Development; Port; Sustainability; Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals; World Trade Center; and more.
The 2027 cohort is expected to start in the beginning of June.
About the Engineering Department
The Engineering Department is responsible for designing, building, and ensuring the state of good repair for all the critical infrastructure at Port Authority facilities. The Engineering Department consists of 6 divisions.
Design provides high quality and cost-effective engineering and architectural design services to deliver the Capital and Operating Programs to Engineering’s partner departments. Units within the Design Division include: Architecture; Civil/Environmental; Contracts; Electrical; Mechanical; Resilient & Sustainable Design; Structural/Geotechnical; and Traffic
Construction Management provides assurance that construction contracts are completed in accordance with contract specifications, budgets, and schedules in a safe and secure manner; this involves coordinating construction with active facility revenue collecting operations. This division also includes the Materials unit which performs quality acceptance testing and inspection of construction materials – including asphalt, concrete, cement, masonry, structural steel welding and bolting, soils, and fire protection and coatings – during the construction phase of projects. The Materials unit also has four laboratories that perform testing of asphalt, concrete, soils, and chemical/environmental samples. Additionally, the Materials unit prepares staffing budgets, reviews contract documents in the design phase, provides recommendations for material selections and specifications during the design phase, and reviews contractor submittal for approval during the construction phase of projects.
Engineering Operations manages and facilitates internal processes to ensure the Engineering Department continues to: meet Port Authority’s priorities and standards; use global best practice design and construction services; leverage 21st century technology and sustainability methodologies; ensure collaboration across other departments; and maintain compliance to the highest ethical standards.
Project Delivery works closely with Line Departments to: set project schedules and budgets; track delivery of projects to ensure adherence to Capital Plan baseline; lead agency State-of-Good-Repair prioritization efforts; support development of associated board authorizations and CPOC Gate review documents; and support lessons learned efforts. Quality Assurance conducts periodic inspections; reports on the condition of all buildings and structures; and provides repair recommendations. The Quality Assurance Division also acts as the agencies building department. They ensure all designs (third party and internal) are code compliant and audit all construction, enabling the asset to be put into beneficial use. Enterprise Asset Management is responsible for creating a platform for Port Authority to align its infrastructure management policies, processes, procedures, and systems across the enterprise to optimize the availability of its assets for their intended purposes.
Rotations
Before entering the program, Associates accept an offer for a specific discipline. Within the past few years, we’ve had Associates enter through the following disciplines: Architecture; Civil/Environmental Design; Construction Management; Electrical Design; Enterprise Asset Management; Materials; Mechanical Design; Operations; Project Delivery; Structural/Geotechnical Design; and Traffic Design. Each discipline has a Chief who will choose an Associate’s rotations based on what makes most sense for that particular discipline. Associates’ interests are also taken into consideration when rotations are selected.The number of rotations can range from 6 to 9. The length of each rotation can range from 4 to 16 weeks.
Qualifications
Recruitment Timeline
Compensation, Benefits & On-Site Requirements:
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 on business needs.
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 degree type, major, and internal factors.
The expected compensation range for this role is: Minimum: $76,622 Maximum: $87,126
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.
If you have ever flown out of JFK, biked across the George Washington Bridge, or captured that perfect picture of the World Trade Center, then you have witnessed just some of what the Port Authority of NY & NJ does.
For over 100 years, the Port Authority has been designing, engineering, and operating the transportation infrastructure that moves people and goods to, from, and throughout one of the most economically competitive and culturally vibrant regions in the world. Whether we’re fortifying the tunnels under the Hudson River to withstand future super storms, or raising a bridge so larger cargo vessels can reach the premier port on the East Coast, our nearly 7,000 employees are committed to the work they do – work that moves millions of people and supports billions of dollars in economic activity each year.
Our need for skilled, forward-thinking individuals, who are truly passionate about serving the public, continues to grow. And we’re not talking just about engineering, transportation, and urban planning professionals. We are always looking for professionals in Audit, Business Administration, Communications, Construction, Environmental Planning, Finance, IT, Media, Operations & Maintenance, Public Safety, and Security, to name just a few. We are also looking for those driven to diversify their skills. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to explore any number of career paths, so just because you start in one field doesn’t mean you have to stay in it.
If this is the experience you are looking for, “Follow” us here and visit our careers page at www.jointheportauthority.com to learn about current opportunities. You can also discover more about the Port Authority by visiting www.panynj.gov or www.youtube.com/user/portauthorityinfo.
We are confident that once you take a look, you will see how one organization can move a region, a nation, and the world.
