Staff Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
Staff Engineer jobs in New Jersey are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in pharmaceuticals, defense contracting, telecommunications, and financial technology, covering levels from early-career associate engineers through principal-level staff roles. The largest hiring metros are Newark, Princeton, and Parsippany, where anchor employers such as Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, and AT&T have long-established engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in New Jersey right now are software infrastructure, RF and wireless systems engineering, and platform reliability. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Description
About the Role
The successful candidate will be responsible for auditing construction projects performed within facilities that make up the Port Authority’s portfolio, including the World Trade Center Campus, the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln and Holland Tunnels and PATH. As part of the Fire Protection Unit, the candidate will be an integral part of ensuring code compliance and functionality of various types of fire and life safety systems, such as foam fire suppression systems, clean agent systems, fire pumps, deluge suppression systems, and complex fire alarms systems. The successful candidate will be exposed to several types of construction, at varying facility types, such as airports, bus terminals, train stations, warehouses, and shipping ports.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Chief, Quality Assurance Division, under the direct supervision of the Unit Manager, Construction Standards and Inspection Unit;
- Perform construction field audits/inspections for Port Authority construction contracts, tenant construction projects, and post-construction inspections
- Upon completion of scheduled acceptance inspections and testing of life-safety systems, the candidate will be required to prepare/distribute inspection reports in a timely manner, documenting any non-conforming items identified
- Provide written concurrence for the completed work to recommend the issuance of a Permit to Occupy or Use and a Certificate of Completion for the Chief Engineer’s signature
- Conduct audits of field records and contract documents, including Special Inspection Reports, for Port Authority contracts and tenant construction projects
- Conduct post-construction inspections of existing Port Authority assets on an annual basis and prepare/distribute inspection reports in a timely manner to all stakeholders.
- Directly involved in the close-out process leading to the issuance of time-sensitive documents.
- Supplementary departmental duties, as prescribed by the direct supervisor and/or manager, may be assigned based on departmental needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of five years of experience with fire protection and life-safety systems as a designer, installer, and/or inspector on a variety of commercial construction projects
- Familiarity with various codes and regulations, including but not limited to IBC (NJ, NY, and NYC Editions), the NYC Building Code, the Uniform Construction Code, and NFPA
- Applicants must meet all agency mandated performance and attendance standards and must complete all applicable probationary periods
- A Valid driver’s license is required
Desired Qualifications
Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Engineering from an accredited college or university
- Professional Engineering/Architectural License
- Fire Protection Certifications, such as but not limited to the following:
o NICET, NFPA, ICC, or local jurisdictional licensing
- Proficiency and effectiveness in written and oral communication skills
- Previous exposure to active construction site conditions, with the possibility of climbing high-level structures
- Experience working in a team environment, with various types of stakeholders
- Proficient in using various types of computer programs, such as Microsoft Enterprise software, and other PC-related tasks
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: $97,318 Midpoint: $126,522 Maximum: $155,714
In accordance with Port Authority policy, this position permits employees to work remotely a maximum of one day per week, subject to operational and business needs.
See All 40 Staff Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
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Find Staff Engineer JobsStaff Engineer Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Staff Engineer Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- ZT Systems11

- French & Parrello4F
- L3Harris3

- BD2

- T&M Associates2

Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in staff engineer jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science from an accredited institution
- Seven or more years of progressive engineering experience in a relevant technical domain
- Demonstrated ability to lead architectural decisions and mentor junior engineers
- Proficiency in system design, distributed systems, or embedded platform development
- Experience with agile delivery methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder and executive engagement
Staff Engineer Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a staff engineer in New Jersey?
Staff engineer roles in New Jersey are reached through a combination of a relevant engineering or computer science degree and progressively senior engineering experience, typically moving from individual contributor to technical lead before reaching staff level. New Jersey does not require a state-issued professional engineer license for most software or systems staff engineer positions, though PE licensure through the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors is expected in civil, structural, and certain defense or infrastructure engineering roles. Building a portfolio of architectural decisions and cross-team technical leadership is what most New Jersey employers look for.
Which companies hire staff engineers in New Jersey?
Employers hiring staff engineers in New Jersey right now include ZT Systems, French & Parrello, and L3Harris, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. New Jersey's density of pharmaceutical headquarters, defense contractors, and financial technology firms means hiring is relatively consistent across the state's major corridors throughout the year.
Which New Jersey cities have the most staff engineer jobs?
The cities with the most staff engineer openings in New Jersey are Secaucus, Camden, and Livingston. Newark drives volume through its proximity to major financial services and technology firms, while Princeton and Parsippany attract engineering talent because of the pharmaceutical and defense employers headquartered along the Route 1 and Route 287 corridors, which together form New Jersey's primary engineering employment belt.
Are there remote staff engineer jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 60% of staff engineer openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the role centers on code review, architecture documentation, and cross-team coordination rather than on-site lab or hardware work. Platform, infrastructure, and software-focused staff engineer roles are the most likely to be fully remote, while RF, embedded systems, and defense-clearance positions typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a staff engineer in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic path into staff engineering in New Jersey without direct experience is starting in an associate or mid-level software engineer or systems engineer role and building toward it from within. Large New Jersey employers in pharma and defense, including firms along the Route 1 corridor, run structured rotational and new-graduate engineering programs that place early-career engineers on senior-led teams. Moving laterally from a senior software engineer, site reliability engineer, or technical lead role into a staff engineer designation is common. Earning a cloud architecture certification or demonstrating open-source project ownership gives candidates a measurable edge in screening.
Where can I find and apply to staff engineer jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to staff engineer jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
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