Make Our Bridges Safer: Lead the Lab Behind the Research

Bridge scour, the erosion of soil around bridge foundations during floods, is the leading cause of bridge failures in the United States. FHWA reports roughly 25 to 30 failures a year. The research done at this lab becomes the federal design guidance that bridge engineers across the country use to prevent those failures. Genex Systems is hiring a Senior Hydraulic Research Engineer and Laboratory Manager to lead the lab and its research.

About the Lab

The J. Sterling Jones Hydraulics Research Laboratory is FHWA's national facility for highway hydraulics research. Its work covers bridge hydraulics, scour and scour protection, culverts, pavement drainage, extreme weather, and coastal highways. Its specialized equipment includes:

• A 90-foot-long, 13-foot-wide tilting flume with a sediment recirculation system
• A force-balance flume for measuring hydrodynamic forces
• Lab-based and field-deployable devices for testing how easily soil erodes
• Particle image velocimetry (PIV), robotic automation, 3D printing, and a machine shop

What You'll Do

• Lead the research. Design, run, and analyze lab and field experiments on bridge scour, bridge hydraulics, culverts, and erosion of cohesive soils. Turn the results into design equations and guidance for practicing engineers.
• Manage a project portfolio. Oversee the scope, schedule, budget, and milestones for many R&D projects running at once.
• Publish and communicate. Write, edit, and review technical reports, peer-reviewed papers, and presentations, and approve them before they go to FHWA for final approval. Brief FHWA program leaders, and give technical support to state DOTs, technical committees, and consultants.
• Run the lab day to day. Schedule flumes, equipment, space, and contracted staff across projects. Manage logistics, material handling, and workflows. Enforce quality control for data collection, testing, and analysis.
• Keep equipment ready. Ensure flumes, pumps, sensors, and instruments are properly maintained. Run the calibration and preventive maintenance program, and keep the records and inventory current.
• Own lab safety. Maintain and update the Laboratory Safety Plan. Conduct regular inspections and hazard assessments, and ensure lab operations follow facility safety protocols, OSHA standards, and PPE rules.
• Support field work. Plan and support field demonstrations with state DOTs, and coordinate with vendors and partners.
• Lead the Genex team. Supervise and mentor the Genex engineers, technicians, and support staff on site, and build the team's technical skills.

What You'll Need (Required)

• A master's degree in civil, hydraulic, geotechnical, or environmental engineering, or a closely related field
• 5+ years leading a research lab, test facility, or research program in the hydraulic engineering field
• Expertise in bridge scour, including FHWA's HEC-18 (Evaluating Scour at Bridges)
• Proficiency in scheduling, project planning, and optimizing multi-use testing environments
• Hands-on experience designing and running physical experiments (for example, flume, sediment, or erosion testing) and the instruments that go with them
• Working knowledge of OSHA standards, industrial hygiene, and research laboratory safety planning
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated by a record of writing, editing, and reviewing technical publications and research reports
• Experience presenting technical results to agency sponsors or practicing engineers

Nice to Have (Preferred)

• PhD in a relevant engineering field
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar credential
• Experience on FHWA, National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), or state DOT research projects

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary based on education level and years of applicable experience.

Genex Systems offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employer-paid life insurance and dependent life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid federal holidays
• Tuition assistance programs

Location & Work Arrangement

• Full-time, on-site at Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, VA

Additional Requirements

• Work authorization: Genex will sponsor work visas for qualified candidates, including cap-exempt H-1B.
• Facility access: Must be able to pass a U.S. Department of Transportation background check prior to starting work.
• Physical requirements: May include standing for long periods, lifting up to 50 lbs, wearing PPE, and working outdoors near water.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Genex Systems, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Genex Systems does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.