Transportation Engineering Lab Intern

Job Description

Transportation Engineering Lab Intern | Leidos

The Tone:
This is an internship at Leidos, located in McLean, VA. The company supports crucial lab operations and ongoing research efforts at the FHWA Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a real-world research environment where connected and automated vehicle technologies are designed, tested, and demonstrated. The intern will receive practical exposure to operations, engineering, and research workflows, contributing meaningfully to advancing intelligent transportation systems and next-generation mobility technologies.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Flexible (Part-time to Full-time, 20-40 hours/week)
• Location: McLean, VA (On-site)
• Pay: $48100–$86950 yearly
• Team: Collaborates with engineers, software developers, and project managers.
• Mission: Supports research that advances intelligent transportation systems and next-generation mobility technologies.
• Tech Stack: Java, Python, SQL, C++, C#, C

What You’ll Actually Do
• Technical Support: Support research and development teams in identifying, understanding, and helping resolve technical issues related to lab operations.
• Equipment Coordination: Assist with the procurement and coordination of development hardware and testing equipment for various projects.
• System Setup: Install, configure, and test hardware and software components for laboratory computing and testing environments under direct supervision.
• Data Management: Collect and analyze data generated from laboratory testing activities and track the performance of hardware and software under evaluation.
• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare clear and organized technical documentation, progress reports, and presentation materials for ongoing research projects.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently enrolled in or accepted to an undergraduate STEM degree program (e.g., computer science, computer/electrical/systems/transportation engineering); demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in engineering, computer science, or transportation technology. Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance, requiring three years of continuous residency in the United States.
• Experience: Completed coursework in STEM disciplines; familiarity with basic engineering or software development practices.
• Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills; proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Bonus: Coursework or internship experience in intelligent transportation systems (ITS), data analytics, or connected vehicle technologies; experience working with Java, Python, SQL, C++, C#, C; experience with graphical user interface (GUI) development or interactive data visualization; familiarity with software testing, validation, and documentation best practices.