Why NJIT CEE Graduates Are the First Choice for Leading Employers

There are many reasons to shoot for a master’s degree at NJIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE).

The first-rate academics and consistently high rankings from U.S. News & World Report and College Factual.

A hard-to-beat location—right in the heart of opportunity, between New York City, Philadelphia and everything in between.

The faculty—they’ve all been there and built that. And that. And that.

But in the end, it all comes down to one thing: jobs—the big-name employers.

Can a master’s degree or certificate from NJIT’s CEE make you a big-name candidate?

Yes.

Right away, too.

Just ask leading firms like AECOM, Disney, Perkins Eastman and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)—as well as other consulting giants and public agencies.

They’ve all turned to NJIT for engineers ready to shape the infrastructure, environment and cities of tomorrow, starting from day one.

Here are some of the latest stories of big-name employers bringing in NJIT CEE students and grads—and the reasons they chose them.

AECOM

AECOM is one of the world’s largest infrastructure consulting firms, with projects spanning transportation networks, energy systems, climate adaptation and urban development.

With more than 50,000 employees worldwide, AECOM is a household name in engineering—and with good reason. Their projects range from redesigning city transit systems to creating resilient coastal defenses against the rising seas. Every assignment requires technical precision, coordination across dozens of disciplines and the ability to see the immediate and long-term impact.

That’s why they are always looking for engineers who can immediately contribute to complex projects that impact millions of people.

NJIT’s Jason Lin is one of them.

Lin, a master’s student in civil engineering, interned with AECOM, where he handled real projects and collaborated with professionals while maintaining a perfect GPA.

He credits NJIT’s Civil and Environmental Engineering faculty with providing mentorship, scholarship support, and professional guidance that enabled him to excel on both fronts. By the time he graduates, he will be more than a student. He’ll be an AECOM veteran.

And that’s the kind of practical readiness the firm values in its next generation of global engineers.

Disney Imagineering

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative engine behind Disney’s theme parks, resorts, attractions and immersive experiences worldwide.

It’s where engineering, architecture, art and storytelling merge to create environments that millions of people enjoy every year. This division requires professionals who can balance technical expertise with boundless creativity.

That’s exactly what drew them to NJIT’s Anthony Rodriguez Diaz.

Diaz, a graduate research assistant who works on projects involving flood monitoring and urban sustainability, brought his skills to a dream internship at Imagineering in California. There, he applied NJIT’s rigorous training to one of the world’s most imaginative engineering environments, contributing to projects that blended innovation, precision and storytelling.

“That opportunity would not have been possible without the competitive environment, strong support system and valuable network NJIT offers,” he says.

NJDOT

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) manages one of the nation’s busiest and most complex infrastructure networks.

From repairing bridges and highways to modernizing transit hubs, NJDOT’s work touches millions of lives every day.

But this is not just about keeping traffic moving. It’s about ensuring public safety, meeting rigorous environmental standards and planning for the state’s long-term infrastructure needs.

That requires engineers who are technically sharp, regulatory-savvy and deeply committed to serving the public.

Enter NJIT’s Edward Grimsland.

Grimsland is an assistant engineer at the Rockaway Valley Regional Sewerage Authority, where he manages permitting, analyzes wastewater flow data, oversees stormwater compliance and develops spill prevention plans.

The facility he helps manage treats 12 million gallons of wastewater daily, serving 10 municipalities in Morris County.

His coursework in stormwater management, water treatment and hydrology at NJIT translates directly to his day-to-day responsibilities. He began with a graduate certificate in hydrology and water resources engineering, then progressed to the complete master’s program. This flexible path allowed him to keep working full-time while building his expertise.

For NJDOT and similar agencies, Grimsland represents the kind of engineer they want on their team: highly skilled, environmentally conscious and motivated to protect public health through infrastructure stewardship.

Perkins Eastman

Perkins Eastman is one of the world’s leading architecture and design firms, with a portfolio that includes hospitals, schools, cultural centers and urban master plans.

What sets the firm apart is its interdisciplinary approach—projects succeed only when architects, engineers and designers collaborate seamlessly.

That’s why Perkins Eastman looks for professionals who can speak both the language of design and the precision of engineering.

NJIT’s Oscar Villalobos is a prime example.

Villalobos, who earned his bachelor’s in architecture and is completing his master’s in civil engineering (construction management), first connected with Perkins Eastman at NJIT’s Career Fair. This led to a position where he now works on healthcare projects, such as NYU Langone’s Ambulatory Surgery Center, coordinating construction across multiple disciplines.

Transitioning from architecture to engineering wasn’t easy, he says. However, NJIT provided him with the tools to become a more versatile designer and problem-solver.

Today, he thrives in an environment where his creativity is met with technical execution.

For Perkins Eastman, Villalobos is precisely the kind of professional who bridges the gap between disciplines and ensures large-scale projects succeed.

Newark Public Projects

Some of the most meaningful infrastructure work isn’t done for global corporations, but right at the community level.

Municipal agencies, public authorities and civic organizations rely on engineers and architects who can design functional, people-centered projects that directly serve neighborhoods.

This is where NJIT students like Christopher Lema stand out.

Lema is pursuing a dual degree at NJIT—a bachelor’s in architecture and a master’s in civil engineering. This path allows him to merge architectural vision with engineering precision. It’s an edge, he says, that will make him highly valuable in the job market.

One of Lema’s most exciting projects has been the design of a public pool pavilion in Newark. Unlike a theoretical classroom assignment, this was a real project intended to benefit the local community.

The pavilion’s design had to balance technical requirements, safety standards and construction feasibility with a welcoming, functional design for residents.

Lema is pursuing a dual degree at NJIT—a bachelor’s in architecture and a master’s in civil engineering. This path allows him to merge architectural vision with engineering precision. It’s an edge, he says, that will make him highly valuable in the job market.

By combining design insight with engineering rigor, he is building the exact skill set that municipal agencies and consulting firms seek in professionals tasked with revitalizing neighborhoods and creating spaces that bring communities together.

Why Employers Choose NJIT

From AECOM’s globe-spanning infrastructure projects to NJDOT’s vital public services, NJIT CEE graduates are already making an impact where it matters most.

Employers turn to NJIT because our students arrive prepared, having been shaped by internships, competitions and real-world design projects that demonstrate their readiness.

They bring specialized expertise in hydrology, environmental systems, construction management and transportation networks.

And they lead with confidence that has been sharpened through research, mentorship, and client-facing experiences.

NJIT’s CEE department knows the future of infrastructure won’t be built by chance. It will be built by engineers trained to think boldly, lead decisively and design responsibly. That’s the promise NJIT’s CEE delivers—and the reason the world’s top infrastructure employers keep coming back.