Job Description
Description Position at The Port Authority of NY & NJ
About the Internship The Materials Engineering Unit is looking for field inspection and laboratory testing interns to join their team! The Materials Engineering Unit (MEU) is primarily responsible for providing quality acceptance inspection and testing of structural steel, welding, bolting, concrete, asphalt, masonry, reinforcement, soils, fireproofing, firestopping, coatings and chemical/environmental sampling, testing and analysis. We also perform laboratory testing and all of our laboratories are accredited by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) since 1997. MEU also has a condition surveys group that provides reports regarding existing conditions of asphalt, concrete, steel, and other materials at the request of our Design Division and/or Line Departments that aid in the design phase of contract development. Soil borings are also part of MEU's scope of work when existing soil conditions are requested by our Geotechnical designers. New materials are tested to verify physical properties and examine their behavior under different exposure conditions to determine if they meet our specifications for various applications.
This hands-on experience proves very useful in supplementing classroom studies and limited laboratory experience at college. It also provides an understanding of how structures and pavements are built and the importance of the properties we test for producing high quality infrastructure. Interns will learn where, what, why, when and how we test and inspect heavy construction materials.
Responsibilities - Field inspections and testing (under the supervision and guidance of subject matter experts and/or an experienced inspector) of concrete, asphalt, soils, structural steel welding and bolting in accordance with AASHTO and ASTM standards and applicable codes, preparing daily narratives, coordination with Contractors, reviewing contract drawings and specifications.
- This work can be at any of the facilities that the Port Authority operates and maintains including bridges, tunnels, airports, ports, bus terminal, PATH commuter train and the World Trade Center site.
- Some major projects we anticipate to be active during the summer of 2026 include JFK Int'l Airport Redevelopment roadways, parking garage and terminals, George Washington Bridge "Restore the George" program, the new AirTrain project at Newark Liberty Int'l Airport, restoring berths and roadways at Port Newark and Port Elizabeth, and the new Port Authority Bus Terminal.
- Laboratory testing (under the supervision and guidance of a subject matter expert and/or an experienced laboratory technician) of concrete, asphalt and soils used on Port Authority construction projects in accordance with AASHTO and ASTM standards
- Following on-site safety guidelines and best Materials Engineering practices.
- Gain a better understanding of materials and how they perform and behave under various exposure conditions.
Minimum Qualifications - Enrollment at a college or university at the time of the internship
- Major in Engineering (Materials, Civil, Structural, Geotechnical, Construction Management, Environmental, or related discipline)
- Possess a valid driver's license.
Desired Qualifications - Experience with Microsoft apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Interest in contributing to the success of the New York and New Jersey region
- Interest in public service and/or transportation
- Willingness to learn
Internship Details - The start date will be Thursday, May 28, 2026
- The internship will last approximately 12 weeks, ending on Friday, August 21, 2026
- This is a full-time internship (5 days per week at 7.25 hours per day)
- The internship requires interns to be fully in-person.
Selection Process - Only applicants under consideration will be contacted
- If selected to move forward, the hiring team will reach out directly to schedule 1-2 interviews
- Different internships will have different timelines for interviews
Compensation & Benefits - The hourly rate range is $18.07 to $30.31 (the exact rate will be determined by internship type and rising school year)
- Ability to opt in to the New York State and Local Retirement System
- Access to Employee Business Resource Groups
- Facility Tours
- Career Panels
- Social/Networking Events
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 EmployerThe 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.
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Contract work, For contractors, Summer work, Internship, Summer internship, Local area,