Tech Transfer Specialist

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 computers, computer networks, and electronic/electromechanical systems; 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. In addition to the laboratory and office environment, occasional travel for customer support or field work is required. The candidate will receive advanced vehicle control training to safely operate our fleet of research vehicles.

As the prime contractor on this USDOT project, Leidos staff arrange no-cost equipment loans (e.g., on-board units, roadside units, and networking devices for CAVs) to stakeholders and we provide technical assistance in configuring and testing these systems. In addition, our help desk promotes and provides technical assistance for stakeholders deploying other USDOT research and tools (many developed by our team), including an open-source software platform for Vehicle-to-Everything communications (V2X Hub), CAV message creator tools, and the Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) specification. 

The Tech Transfer Specialist will be required to learn and stay up to date with our lab's research products, CAV equipment, and stakeholder research needs. The CAVSS project receives requests for equipment loans and technical support from diverse stakeholders, and this person will be responsible for responding with technical support, following up as needed, and coordinating with our team of engineers and technicians to track support. Learn about STOL here: https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/saxton-transportation-operations-laboratory/saxton-transportation-operations-laboratory-overview

The primary responsibility of this role as a Tech Transfer Specialist in the Saxton Laboratory is:
•    Assisting in the industry adoption of ITS technologies. Additionally, this position will assist with technical responses for our CAV Support Services (CAVSS) equipment loan program and technical help desk. 

Duties May include:
•    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.
•   Development and maintenance of a stakeholder community of practice to support tech transfer for various projects across the surface transportation research portfolio.
•    Perform engineering duties at the systems level on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software required for traffic signals control, traffic management systems, and vehicle guidance systems. This is a hands-on role, working directly with the components, systems, and suppliers to develop new and exciting transportation technologies.
•    Communicate clearly and collaborate across areas 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.
•    Analyze complex CAVSS early-adopter needs and respond promptly to requests for technical and engineering assistance.
•    Perform market research and cost-benefit analysis to identify and procure emerging and state-of-the-art products for the CAVSS Loan Equipment Inventory.
•    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 Qualifications:

• Bachelors Science in Electrical, Civil, Automotive, or other scientific or engineering discipline with 2 years’ related experience or M.S. in Electrical, Civil, Automotive, or other scientific or engineering discipline with less than 2 years’ related experience.
• Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (which includes three years of immediate residency in the US).
• Ability to test and troubleshoot complex power and communication systems.
• Familiarity with transportation and communication systems.
• Time management and ability to balance priorities and ensure the products and services are delivered on-time and within budget.
• 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.
• Must communicate clearly, both orally and in writing along with a good understanding of industry specific terminology (authorship and publication of technical papers and presentations is a plus).
• 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:

• Traffic signal controller operations, configuration, communications, and Transportation Management Center operations.
• 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 is: $88,000 - $108,000