Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) Tech Transfer Engineer

Job Description:

Are you interested in shaping the future of transportation? Consider joining the Leidos team operating FHWA’s Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory (STOL), a USDOT research lab focused on the improvement of transportation operations, safety, mobility, and environmental impacts.  STOL provides a variety of services to support the advancement and adoption of emerging technologies, including automation and communication in vehicles and on the roadside.  

Learn more about:
•     The Leidos Surface Transportation Group:   https://www.leidos.com/markets/energy/transportation 
   https://www.leidos.com/markets/energy/transportation/surface-transportation-research
•    The Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory:  https://highways.dot.gov/turner-fairbank-highway-research-center/labs/STOL

Location: This role will be expected to work full-time at the customer site in McLean, VA

Position Overview

The CAV Tech Transfer Engineer will be a key part of the Leidos team supporting Connected Automated Vehicle (CAV) research across the US through our work at the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Saxton Lab, located at the Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, VA. Our team advances CAV technology for the USDOT by developing, testing, and supporting the adoption of technologies associated with vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications as well as Cooperative Driving Automation (CDA).

This is an opportunity for someone who is seeking a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment working directly with state and local DOTs as well as technology vendors in the CAV industry. A strong candidate will have the following: a background in electrical, civil, automotive, or other relevant technical discipline; work history or education that demonstrates ability to troubleshoot V2X devices, computer networks, and transportation simulation tools; the ability to learn and clearly communicate complex technical matters to a variety of audiences. The ideal candidate will arrive with a working knowledge of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications and networking, including related hardware/software configurations and applicable IEEE and SAE standards. The work environment is very collegial and benefits from a collaborative effort across a growing interdisciplinary team.

The primary responsibility of this role, as a CAV Tech Transfer Engineer in the Saxton Laboratory, is to support external stakeholders through the Saxton Lab helpdesk to accelerate adoption of USDOT ITS/CAV technologies. The position provides technical assistance for deployment and use of lab-developed tools and data products, including V2X Hub (open-source V2X platform) and CAV message creator tools. The role serves as the technical point of contact for stakeholder questions, equipment loan requests, and troubleshooting, while maintaining current knowledge of lab research products, CAV equipment, and stakeholder needs. This position also coordinates with internal engineers and technicians to track, resolve, and follow up on support requests.

Duties May include:

• Provide technical assistance to academia, government, and private industry to support the adoption of ITS, CDA, C-V2X, and CAV technologies. 
• Perform engineering duties at the systems level on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software required for traffic signals control, traffic management systems, vehicle guidance systems, and transportation simulation tools. This is a hands-on role, working directly with the components, systems, and suppliers to develop new and exciting transportation technologies.
• Assist with organizing and managing project work, including but not limited to supporting development and review of project financials, customer interaction, provide input towards project direction, and providing engineering expertise towards project execution.
• Lead the development and maintenance of a stakeholder community of practice to support tech transfer for various projects across the surface transportation research portfolio.
• Conduct stakeholder outreach and promotion to meet research and project needs.
• Support the operations and maintenance of the lab facility, equipment, and associated testbeds, including but not limited to conducting and/or supervising the prototyping, assembly, and configuration of electrical and networking equipment, and performing safety driver duties during testing.
• Stay up to date with latest technology in the CAV industry by attending seminars, conferences, and independent research.
• Interface with researchers, Government technical and business personnel, and other users of the Saxton Laboratory and associated testbeds.
• Assist in various phases of research projects across the breadth of transportation science.

Required Education & Experience:

• B.S. in electrical, Civil, Automotive, or other scientific or engineering discipline with 6+ years’ related experience or M.S. in Electrical, Civil, Automotive, or other scientific or engineering discipline with 2+ years’ related experience or PhD in Electrical, Civil, Automotive, or other scientific or engineering discipline.
• Knowledge of Connected vehicle or transportation communication standards (e.g., SAE J2735, NTCIP 1202, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to test and troubleshoot complex power and communication systems.
• Familiarity with transportation and communication systems.
• Must communicate clearly in English, both orally and in writing along with a good understanding of industry specific terminology.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (which includes three years of immediate residency in the US).   
• All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

Other Requirements:

• Must be a good team player and be able to give and take constructive feedback. 
• Must be prompt, schedule-conscious, and able to focus on the work at hand. 
• Must be coachable and open to self-discovery and professional improvement.
• Valid driver’s license and suitability to operate a motor vehicle.

Extra consideration given for experience in any of the following:

• Desire to independently learn about new technologies, hardware, and software (with guidance and technical support from the team as needed) - and instruct external stakeholders on how to use them Traffic signal controller operations, configuration, communications, and Transportation Management Center operations.
• Time management and ability to balance priorities and ensure the products and services are delivered on-time and within budget.
• Familiarity with transportation simulation tools including SUMO, CARLA, etc.
• Use of spectrum and network analyzers and other RF test equipment.
• Software development tools and methods, including one or more commonly used programming languages, such as C++, Python, JAVA, and Bash scripting.
• Geospatial positioning (e.g., GPS) and position correction (e.g., RTCM)
• Computer network engineering.
• Wireless communication standards like IEEE 802.11p and 3GPP Release 15 or greater, supporting technologies like DSRC, C-V2X, Wi-Fi, and 5G.
• Connected vehicle or transportation communication standards (e.g., SAE J2735, NTCIP 1202, etc.) preferred.

Anticipated salary for this role: $80,000 - $110,000

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Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.