Intelligent Transportation Systems Project (ITS) Manager

Description

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: https://www.leidos.com/markets/energy/transportation  https://www.leidos.com/markets/energy/transportation/surface-transportation-research

•    The Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory:  https://highways.dot.gov/turner-fairbank-highway-research-center/labs/STOL

Hybrid remote at these customer locations: Atlanta, GA. Chattanooga, TN. Tampa, FL. Denver, CO

Position Overview

The ITS Project Manager will be part of the Surface Transportation Group within Leidos, a nationally recognized leader in advancing transportation safety, operations, and innovation. The Surface Transportation Group partners with federal, state, and local agencies to deliver next-generation solutions in intelligent transportation systems, connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), traffic operations, human factors research, and transportation safety. Leidos has played a central role in shaping the future of mobility, including developing national standards for infrastructure-to-vehicle communications, advancing traffic simulation and modeling, and supporting the U.S. Department of Transportation’s vision of zero roadway fatalities.
In this role, the ITS Project Manager will lead multidisciplinary teams in the planning, execution, and delivery of advanced Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) projects. The position will focus on connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies, V2X deployments, advanced traffic management, and technology transfer. The successful candidate will combine strong project management skills with technical depth in ITS/CAV systems, stakeholder engagement, and solutions architecture. This position requires excellent communication skills, the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects, and a passion for advancing transportation innovation.
Key Responsibilities
•    Lead ITS and CAV projects from initiation through delivery, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget compliance.
•    Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
•    Oversee deployment and integration of V2X, traffic management, and automation technologies.
•    Serve as primary liaison with clients, partners, and stakeholders (DOTs, FHWA, MPOs, industry).
•    Develop and execute strategies for communications, outreach, and technology transfer.
•    Collaborate with solutions architects and R&D engineers to define system requirements and architectures.
•    Ensure compliance with ITS standards (NTCIP, SAE J2735, IEEE 1609) and cybersecurity best practices.
•    Prepare and deliver technical reports, presentations, and documentation for diverse audiences.
•    Support business development, including proposal writing and client engagement.
•    Lead or contribute to communities of practice and working groups to advance adoption of new technologies.
•    Identify risks, propose mitigations, and ensure quality assurance across deliverables.
Required Education & Experience
•    Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Transportation, or related field.
•    7+ years of experience in ITS, transportation technology, or related field, including 3+ years in project management or technical leadership.
•    Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder transportation technology projects.
•    Experience with State and local DOTs, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and/or USDOT ITS Joint Program Office.
•    Strong understanding of ITS architectures, CAV/V2X systems, and emerging mobility solutions.
•    Proven experience in business development, including identifying new market opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and driving portfolio/revenue growth.
•    Experience with technology transfer, including training, outreach, and adoption strategies.
•    Familiarity with systems engineering principles and solutions architecture.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
•    Proficiency with project management tools (e.g. Jira) and methodologies (Agile, Waterfall).
•    Ability to work independently in a remote environment and travel up to 25%.
•    Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (which includes three years of immediate residency in the US).   
•    All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications
•    Master’s degree or PhD. in a relevant field.
•    PMP, PE, or equivalent professional certification.
•    Experience with CAV R&D, V2X communications, and deployment of large-scale ITS infrastructure.
•    Knowledge of traffic simulation tools (e.g., SUMO, VISSIM, CARLA) and AMS methodologies.
•    Familiarity with cloud-based data architectures, edge computing, and AI/ML applications in transportation.
•    Experience with cybersecurity principles applied to transportation systems.
•    Established relationships with public agencies and industry stakeholders.
•    Demonstrated success in technology transfer and commercialization of transportation innovations.
Additional Skills
•    Ability to design and implement pilot projects and proof-of-concept demonstrations.
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on practical deployment.
•    Experience developing training materials, instructional content, and outreach strategies.
•    Knowledge of open-source and commercial ITS software platforms.
•    Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with industry trends.

Anticipated salary range for this role: $95,000-$130,000

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Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.