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Research Highway Engineer
Federal Highway Administration · Posted 62 days ago
Hybrid Full-time McLean, VA $122K – $187K Apply by Jul 29, 2026 General Engineering ENTJINTJINTPISTJ EngineeringMarketingOperations
Apply for this job → About the Role
This position is in the Office of Research, Development, and Technology at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Virginia. This position serves as a Communications Engineer on the Safety Design and Operations Team specializing in highway engineering research related to wireless technologies for Connected Vehicles and the application of communications to support the safe operation of emerging technologies such as automated vehicles, digital infrastructure, and AI.
What You'll Do
- →As a Research Highway Engineer, you will: Execute complex studies (and lead exceptionally difficult research of considerable depth for the GS-14 level) on wireless technologies and systems to advance Connected Vehicle safety and highway operations and implementation of emerging technologies.
- →Manage staff research and external contracts focused on solving engineering problems through advanced technological integration.
- →Work closely with other FHWA offices (i.e., FHWA Office of Safety, Office of Operations, ITS Joint Program Office, Division Offices, etc.), other DOT Operating Administrations, and State and local highway personnel, where appropriate, to coordinate and obtain input on planned, ongoing, or completed research.
- →Serve as Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), requiring knowledge of the Federal procurement process to prepare procurement request packages, write proposal evaluation reports, monitor contracts, and review deliverables.
- →The ideal candidate for this position is a competent and productive researcher (or a recognized research leader at the GS-14 level) capable of conceiving, formulating, and conducting complex research studies in the field of general engineering.
Requirements
- ✓CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
- ✓In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
- ✓Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
- ✓SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
- ✓GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.
- ✓A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
- ✓BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals.
- ✓Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication.
- ✓Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
- ✓PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required.
- ✓PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
- ✓CERTIFICATION: This position will require the applicant to obtain COR certification at a later date.
- ✓MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: A.
- ✓COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE -- College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
Personality Fit
Job ID: 5af12e2a-ee41-4fd0-a272-563983eeba60
Posted via USAJobs