Connected and Automated Vehicles; CAV Tech Transfer Engineer

Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) Tech Transfer Engineer at Leidos summary:

Hands‑on engineering role supporting USDOT Saxton Lab to accelerate adoption of Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies through technical assistance, equipment support, troubleshooting, and stakeholder engagement. Requires experience with ITS/V2X systems (OBUs/RSUs), networking, standards (SAE J2735, NTCIP), testbeds, and field/configuration work including lab operations and occasional driving for tests. Position is full‑time in McLean, VA, requires US work authorization, Public Trust clearance eligibility, and a BS/MS in a relevant engineering discipline with ~2+ years' experience.

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:markets/energy/transportation

• The Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory:turner-fairbank-highway-research-center/labs/STOL

This role will be expected to work full‑time at the customer site in McLean, VA.

This position requires candidates be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship AND be currently located in the United States for the current three consecutive years and be eligible for a Public Trust Clearance.

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.

• 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…