Transportation Engineer

Overview

Transportation Engineer to support FHWA’s Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory in McLean, VA, researching and developing CAV, V2X, ITS, and AI-driven traffic operations solutions. Responsibilities include building, calibrating, and validating micro-/mesoscopic traffic simulation models (e.g., VISSIM/Trans Modeler), analyzing large datasets, generating synthetic data with generative AI, and producing technical documentation and CONOPS. Requires a Master’s in Transportation Engineering (2+ years experience), programming and ML skills, experience with signal operations and DOT collaboration, and ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.

McLean, VA — This role is expected to work full-time at the customer site in McLean, VA.

Join a highly successful team researching and developing Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies to shape the future of transportation. The team focuses on improving transportation operations, safety, mobility, and environmental impacts, including the integration of emerging technologies such as cooperative driving automation (CDA) and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X).

• Develop, calibrate, and validate microscopic and mesoscopic traffic simulation models.
• Apply simulation tools to assess the safety, efficiency, and environmental impacts of advanced transportation strategies, including CAV and V2X applications.
• Support research into signal operations, signal control strategies, and traffic management applications.
• Collaborate with internal and external development teams to identify, understand, and resolve technical goals and challenges.
• Contribute to the development of Concepts of Operations, system requirements, and technical guidance documents for transportation applications.
• Analyze simulation outputs and large-scale datasets to explain transportation system performance.
• Document findings through technical reports, presentations, and manuals for both technical and practitioner audiences.
• Generate synthetic data using Generative AI methods (e.g., GANs or LLMs for tabular data synthesis) using available historical data and known distributions.
• Provide technical assistance to academia, government, and industry stakeholders in the use of ITS, CDA, and V2X technologies.
• Support proposal development, white papers, and technical briefings.

• Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering, or related field, with 2+ years’ experience.
• At least 2 years of hands-on experience with traffic simulation software such as VISSIM and/or Trans Modeler.
• Experience in signal operations and traffic control strategies (e.g., timing, adaptive control, transit priority).
• Demonstrated ability to calibrate and validate simulation models.
• At least 1 year of experience collaborating with state and local DOTs.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret and present simulation and traffic data.
• At least 1 year of hands-on experience in AI/ML model development using frameworks like Tensor Flow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, C++, Java, VBA, or MATLAB).
• Experience writing and contributing to technical reports or research papers.
• Strong communication skills (writing, speaking, listening) and ability to articulate solutions and design decisions.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and in large teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (includes three years of immediate residency in the US).
• All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

• PhD degree in Transportation Engineering or related field.
• In-depth knowledge of CAV, ITS, and traffic operations; experience with AI model development (reinforcement learning, computer vision, or LLMs) applied to transportation systems.
• Experience integrating AI/ML models with transportation simulation tools for predictive analytics.
• Proficiency with co-simulation tools and development of concept of operations and system requirements documents.
• Exposure to mesoscopic simulation tools and multimodal modeling.
• Solid understanding of V2X communication protocols and CDA architectures.
• Demonstrated project coordination/management experience and track record of overseeing projects from inception to completion.
• Experience leading or supporting technical proposals;
  Agile methodology proficiency.

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

If you’re looking for a challenging career at the forefront of transportation technology, Leidos invites you to apply and join a team dedicated to advancing safety, mobility, and efficiency through innovative solutions.