Mid-Level OT/IT Network & Cybersecurity Engineer

Leidos’ Saxton Lab Team at FHWA STOL is seeking a mid-level OT/IT Network & Cybersecurity Engineer to own operational technology and IT network/testbed infrastructure, along with the lab’s OT/ICS cybersecurity posture. This role supports connected-vehicle testing and demonstrations in research environments where operational safety and reproducibility are essential.

Role Location and Employment Details

• Location: McLean, VA (onsite)
• Experience: 4+ years
• Education: Bachelor’s degree (or technical associate’s degree) in a related technical field

Compensation

• Annual salary range: USD 87,100 - 157,450
• Pay range noted: $110,000 – $130,000 per year (commensurate with experience)

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate OT/IT networks for testbeds, including VLAN segmentation, firewall/ACL, and routing; support wireless distribution and fiber/copper cabling; and manage backhaul to field-deployed roadside units (RSUs), edge nodes, and remote sites (C-V2X PC5/Uu, 5G NR, and Wi-Fi).
• Own day-to-day operations for the testbed and Smart Garage, including commissioning and maintaining RSUs, onboard units (OBUs), signal controllers, edge platforms, and network hardware; resolve connectivity, latency, protocol, and hardware issues across lab and field.
• Maintain accurate network documentation, ensure precise time synchronization using PTP/IEEE 1588, NTP, and GPS, and support reliable edge-to-analytics data movement to enable reproducible experiment results.
• Establish and maintain the lab-wide OT security posture using relevant frameworks such as NIST SP 800-82 and NIST SP 800-53, applying judgment for research needs rather than blanket compliance; implement defense-in-depth segmentation using the Purdue Model or IEC 62443 (including IT/OT DMZ and bastion hosts with filtering).
• Stand up and operate V2X security capabilities including PKI and SCMS credentialing, and perform OT-appropriate vulnerability assessment and intrusion or anomaly monitoring, coordinating remediation with program security.
• Build and maintain security-enabling environments for transportation cybersecurity research, and keep incident-response procedures and cybersecurity reviews current.
• Translate concurrent R&D requirements into testbed configurations and instrumentation, and keep environments in known, repeatable states for valid outcomes.
• Support test scenarios, in-vehicle and roadside instrumentation, and the technical preparation and execution of lab tours, live demonstrations, and field testing.
• Support daily operations with a safety-first approach, ensuring IT, OT, and cybersecurity activities follow safety procedures during routine operations, testing, and special events, including change-control for reconfigurations, deployments, and firmware updates.
• Treat OT cybersecurity as safety-critical, applying domain-specific safety practices (RF, electrical/cabling, and on-road or closed-course protocols) and coordinating with facilities on power, environmental controls, and cable management.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to work full-time on-site in McLean, VA.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (requires three years’ continuous U.S. residency) and a valid driver’s license.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Network Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or a related technical field with 4–8 years of hands-on experience in OT/IT networking, R&D, industrial, or field-deployed systems, or a technical associate’s degree with 7+ years (equivalent demonstrated experience considered in lieu of a degree).
• 4+ years designing, deploying, and administering OT or IT/OT converged networks, including managed switching/routing, VLAN segmentation, VPN, and firewall rules, with exposure to OT/ICS or research-testbed environments with field-deployed devices.
• Strong infrastructure fundamentals in fiber/copper cabling, network/RF diagrams, and time synchronization (NTP, PTP/IEEE 1588, GPS), plus comfort using Linux for device administration and scripting.
• Working knowledge of C-V2X (PC5/Uu) or the ability to acquire it quickly.
• Holistic OT/ICS security knowledge, including applying appropriate controls using NIST SP 800-82/800-53, Purdue Model, or IEC 62443, with judgment for a transportation research environment; familiarity with the OT threat landscape and PKI/SCMS for V2X credentialing.
• Awareness of cybersecurity’s relationship to functional safety in automated systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication for documentation and stakeholder briefings, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to perform hands-on work in lab, garage, and field settings (lifting up to 50 lbs) and occasional off-hours support for testing and events with reasonable scheduling flexibility.

Technologies and Tools (Relevant)

• Networking and infrastructure: VLAN segmentation, firewall/ACL, routing, wireless distribution, fiber/copper cabling, VPN
• Connected-vehicle and communications: C-V2X PC5/Uu, 5G NR, Wi-Fi, SAE J2735, SAE J3161
• Time synchronization: PTP/IEEE 1588, NTP, GPS
• OT security frameworks and models: NIST SP 800-82, NIST SP 800-53, IT/OT DMZ, bastion hosts, Purdue Model, IEC 62443
• V2X security: PKI, SCMS credentialing
• Monitoring and security practices: vulnerability assessment, intrusion/anomaly monitoring
• Administration: Linux
• OT monitoring tools (listed): Claroty, Dragos, Nozomi, Savari
• RSU platform experience (listed): Cohda Wireless, Commsignia, Kapsch
• Training and certifications (listed): SANS ICS515, CCNA, CCNP, Security+, CySA+, GICSP

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications such as CCNA/CCNP, Security+, CySA+, or GICSP; OT/ICS security training (e.g., SANS ICS515).
• Hands-on RSU platform experience (Savari, Cohda Wireless, Commsignia, Kapsch) with SCMS enrollment.
• C-V2X (PC5) and 5G NR.
• Experience with SAE J2735 and SAE J3161 (C-V2X).
• Experience using OT monitoring tools (Claroty, Dragos, Nozomi).
• Experience supporting federally funded R&D or government contracting.

Posting Date

Original posting: July 8, 2026