Systems Engineer, Testing & Quality Assurance

Are you interested in improving and shaping the transportation industry by researching and developing cooperative driving automation software, smart infrastructure technology, and collaborative simulation tools?  Consider joining the Leidos team operating FHWA’s Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory (STOL), a USDOT research lab and smart garage focused on the improvement of transportation operations, safety, mobility, and environmental impacts.   

This is currently a hybrid role with a minimum expectation of three days in office. The number of days required in office may change at any time, up to full time in office, based on contract requirements and program needs.

In this role, you will work with:

• Connected Automated Vehicles (CAV) and related infrastructure.
• Cooperative Driving Automation (CDA) systems, including vehicle-to-infrastructure, vehicle-to-pedestrian, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication hardware and software.
• Real-time collaborative testing across physically distributed locations using live and simulated assets.
• Advanced simulations of vehicles, pedestrians, and transportation infrastructure.
• Traffic optimization and intelligent transportation systems.

Learn about our work here:

STOL: https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/saxton-transportation-operations-laboratory/saxton-transportation-operations-laboratory-overview

CARMA Platform: https://highways.dot.gov/research/operations/CARMA

V2X-Hub: https://highways.dot.gov/research/publications/operations/FHWA-HRT-22-047

Distributed Testing (VOICES): https://tinyurl.com/voices-sit1

About Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory (STOL)

The STOL, located at FHWA’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Virginia, focuses on improving transportation operations, safety, mobility, and environmental impacts. STOL supports the advancement of emerging technologies, including vehicle automation and communication. STOL provides a variety of services to boost the advancement and adoption of emerging technologies, including automation and communication in vehicles and on the roadside.   

Role Summary:

We are seeking a Systems Engineer with a strong background in hardware and software integration, testing, and evaluation. The ideal candidate thrives in dynamic environments, embraces challenges, and will contribute to a team developing and testing applications that support transportation research. This role is crucial in advancing technologies for the future of transportation.

The successful candidate will collaborate with engineers, developers, and managers to understand requirements, identify system needs, architect hardware and software testing solutions, help develop and execute test plans, and perform data analysis. They should thrive in both lab and real-world environments, working hands-on to develop and test new solutions and are motivated by variety, thrives in a challenging environment, seeks professional growth. As part of a dynamic research team, the Test Engineer will help advance connected and automated vehicle technologies for FHWA.

Key Responsibilities: 

Collaborate with teams, applying the systems engineering process throughout the entire project lifecycle—from concept of operations to the development and execution of comprehensive test plans. Ensure seamless integration, clear communication, and effective problem-solving at every stage to deliver high-quality solutions.

• Assist in simulation and field testing of automated vehicles and connected infrastructure.
• Communicate with team when providing insights on results and best practices.
• Follow the testing process throughout the project lifecycle, from concept of operations to test plan development, execution, and data analysis.
• Investigate, develop, and test emerging transportation technologies, including hardware and software solutions.
• Support functional requirements, performance metrics, and support planning, scheduling, and resource management for test campaigns.
• Support integra