Principal Intelligent Transportation Systems Engineer / Senior Project Manager

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking a Senior Project Manager / Principal ITS Engineer to join our Transportation Team in our New York City or Woodbury office. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at one of these locations.

Working on the roadway team at GFT offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity.

Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all. Explore some of our signature roadway projects here.

What you’ll be challenged to do

As a Senior Project Manager / Principal ITS Engineer, you’ll take the lead in shaping how communities move by delivering innovative ITS and traffic signal solutions throughout New York State and New England. This role challenges you to think strategically, solve complex transportation problems, and apply emerging technologies that enhance safety, efficiency, and connectivity across our transportation networks.

You’ll collaborate with skilled professionals who share a commitment to improving mobility and advancing intelligent infrastructure for the region’s future.

The Senior PM/Principal ITS Engineer will provide both technical leadership and strategic direction. This individual will be responsible for project delivery, marketing, business development, staff development, and strengthening GFT’s position in the New York transportation market.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Secure, plan, direct, and monitor all aspects of ITS, tolling and traffic engineering projects ranging from small assignments to large-scale, multi-discipline efforts with technical complexity
• Lead project teams through preliminary and final design, preparation of construction documents, specifications, cost estimates, scheduling, and subcontractor coordination
• Provide client-facing leadership as Project Manager or Task Manager, ensuring delivery aligns with client expectations, agency standards, and GFT strategic initiatives
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, supporting business development and proposal efforts including writing, presentations, and pursuit strategy
• Reinforce and expand the group’s market position and service offerings by aligning ITS practice growth with client and agency needs
• Guide, mentor, and coordinate multi-disciplinary staff, fostering collaboration and accountability while advancing technical excellence
• Lead engineering design services throughout the project life cycle, from concept through construction
• Direct designs in accordance with the defined scope of work
• Oversee engineering analysis related to design, implementation, and operations of ITS elements and subsystems
• Evaluate complex design challenges and develop innovative techniques or procedures to address them
• Assess the impact of construction and utility work on ITS or traffic signal infrastructure and determine appropriate mitigation measures
• Approve and guide the development of engineering drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and final bid packages
• Conduct project site visits and field work as needed to ensure technical accuracy and compliance
• Lead testing efforts and resolve technical issues during new installations or modifications of ITS field equipment
• Lead project pursuits including development of proposals, letters of interest, technical approaches, and presentations.
• Collaborating with roadway, bridge, planning, and construction teams to deliver integrated transportation solutions.

Education | Experience

What you will bring to our firm

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (preferably civil, electrical, or transportation)
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in New York
• 15+ years of experience in the ITS/traffic field, including leadership or senior-level responsibilities
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships, with experience supporting proposals, pursuits, and presentations
• Leadership, organizational, and communication skills, with a track record of mentoring staff and fostering collaboration across disciplines
• Familiarity with agency CADD standards and producing electronic submissions for transportation projects
• Design and/or project management experience working for or alongside NYSDOT, NYSTA, NYCDOT, PANYNJ or other major New York/New Jersey area transportation agencies — including ITS systems, traffic signal systems, and field equipment integration
• Knowledge of industry standards such as NTCIP, NEMA, IEEE, NEC, and of regional transportation agency ITS standards/specifications
• Ability to prepare/lead design packages (plans, specs, estimates)
• Experience with MicroStation and MS Office

What we prefer you bring

• Traffic signal and/or fiber optic communication system design experience

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $155,000 - $210,000; Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives. GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™

GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property of GFT.

Location: Woodbury or New York, NY Offices

Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status: Full-Time

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