Careers at Virginia Tech

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), one of seven research institutes created by Virginia Tech to address global challenges, is a world-leading transportation institute that works with public and private partners to answer impactful research questions that drive the future of transportation. VTTI research spans the breadth of transportation dimensions from pedestrians to heavy vehicles, user interfaces to automation, digital to physical infrastructure, driver behavior to crash causation, and policy to technology development. VTTI’s vision aspires to a future with “Safe, Effective Mobility” - three words meant to be our North Star toward improving the human condition.

Reporting directly to the Director of the Division for Technology Implementation (DTI), the Smart Mobility Engineer is a crucial position that will directly impact VTTI’s mission of “saving lives, enhancing efficiency, and protecting the environment to improve transportation through research and development, education, and helping implement solutions”.

With a long history of establishing key partnerships across a variety of industry and government stakeholders, DTI conducts innovative research-based transportation initiatives, most recently with a strong focus on cutting edge technologies such as automated vehicle systems, connected vehicle systems (DRSC, C-V2X, 5G), smart cities infrastructure elements, and smart mobility systems.

Key Responsibilities at the Research Associate Rank:

Design and Development
• Develop and implement smart mobility solutions, including intelligent transportation systems (ITS), connected vehicles, automated vehicles, smart cities technologies, and smart mobility platforms
• Design and conduct feasibility studies, system design, and technical evaluations for smart mobility projects
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and big data analytics into mobility solutions

Project Management
• Support and manage smart mobility projects from concept to deployment, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget constraints
• Coordinate with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, transportation authorities, and private sector partners

Funding and Business Development
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants, subsidies, and partnerships to support smart mobility projects
• Assist in developing comprehensive funding proposals and business cases to secure financial support from public and private sector sources

Research and Innovation
• Support research projects and tasks to explore new smart mobility concepts and assess their effectiveness and feasibility with progressive levels of responsibility, ultimately serving in co-principal investigator and principal investigator roles
• Conducts and assists in various project research tasks including literature reviews, research design, research execution, software development, report writing, presentations, and publications
• Monitor latest trends, technologies, and regulatory changes to ITS, connected and automated vehicles, smart mobility, and both rural and urban transportation sectors
• Generate innovative ideas and solutions to address mobility challenges and improve transportation systems

Technical Support and Training
• Provide technical support and guidance to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Assist in the development of training materials, conducting workshops, and developing challenge activities to educate stakeholders on smart mobility technologies and practices.

Key Responsibilities at the Senior Research Associate Rank

Design and Development
• Develop and implement smart mobility solutions, including intelligent transportation systems (ITS), connected vehicles, automated vehicles, smart cities technologies, and smart mobility platforms
• Design and conduct feasibility studies, system design, and technical evaluations for smart mobility projects
• Lead and collaborate within cross-functional teams to integrate advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and big data analytics into mobility solutions

Project Management
• Lead and manage smart mobility projects from concept to deployment, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget constraints
• Coordinate with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, transportation authorities, and private sector partners
• Supervise junior researchers, engineers, and students

Funding and Business Development
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants, subsidies, and partnerships to support smart mobility projects
• Develop and oversee funding proposals and business cases to secure financial support from public and private sector sources
• Establish and maintain relationships with potential and existing sponsors, funding agencies, and strategic partners

Research and Innovation
• Independently lead research projects and tasks to explore new smart mobility concepts and assess their effectiveness and feasibility with progressive levels of responsibility, ultimately serving in co-principal investigator and principal investigator roles
• Conducts and oversees various project research tasks including literature reviews, research design, research execution, software development, report writing, presentations, and publications
• Monitor latest trends, technologies, and regulatory changes to ITS, connected and automated vehicles, smart mobility, and both rural and urban transportation sectors
• Generate innovative ideas and solutions to address mobility challenges and improve transportation systems

Technical Support and Training
• Act as technical lead and provide guidance to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Develop training materials, conduct workshops, develop challenge activities to educate stakeholders on smart mobility technologies and practices.

About Virginia Tech and VTTI:
• See more about what it’s like to work at VTTI by watching this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4VWviw5JA
• Learn more about DTI’s impactful research here: https://www.vtti.vt.edu/divisions/dti.php

The team is looking to hire in either the Northern Virginia region or Blacksburg area. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute's (VTTI) work in Northern Virginia consist of multi-partner smart communities, connected and automated vehicle deployment, and associated programs.

If locating to the Blacksburg area, Virginia Tech’s 2,600-acre main campus is nestled in the heart of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Blacksburg, Roanoke, and the New River Valley offer the charm of small towns combined with the modern conveniences of a metropolitan area. The area boasts a plethora of unique and chain restaurants and stores, symphonies, theatres, historical attractions, museums, a vibrant night life, sporting events, outdoor recreation activities, and a temperate climate.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced engineer capable of supporting research projects and working independently and collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to improve transportation safety through cutting-edge research. This position requires an aptitude for working with complex technological systems, applying appropriate data analysis techniques, developing robust solutions, and interpreting and communicating results. Successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, implementing, and reporting on smart mobility solutions that enhance urban transportation networks. Additionally, the role requires identifying and securing new lines of funding to support innovative projects and initiatives.

Research Associate Rank:
Masters degree in engineering , transportation planning, urban planning or another related field is required. Candidates with a lesser degree and significant experience in the key responsibilities noted above may be considered.

Senior Research Associate Rank:
PhD in engineering , transportation planning, urban planning or another related field is required. Candidates with a lesser degree and significant experience in the key responsibilities noted above may be considered.

Overall Desired Characteristics:
• Highly strategic and creative thinker with the ability to ensure effective implementation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams
• High energy and drive

The ideal work experience includes:
• Working independently and with multidisciplinary teams to advance cutting-edge research with the ability to obtain, plan, develop, and coordinate large (greater than $1M) and small-scale research projects from research conceptualization, proposal development, research execution, resource acquisition, logistics, strategic planning, policy interpretation, and documentation
• Designing and implementing research programs focused on ITS, automated and connected vehicles, and smart mobility platforms
• Securing funding and developing business cases for technology projects

• Proficiency in relevant software and technologies, such as GIS, CAD, and data analytics tools. Professional certifications in transportation engineering or related fields
• Experience working with government agencies and transportation authorities
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and standards related to smart mobility and transportation
• Prior supervisory experience

Restricted

Research Associate rank starting at $70,000; commensurate with experience. Sr. Research Associate starting at $95,000; commensurate with experience.

8/14/2024

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.