Master's degree in civil, hydraulic, geotechnical, or environmental engineering, or a closely related field
5+ years leading a research lab or program in hydraulic engineering
Expertise in bridge scour and familiarity with FHWA's HEC-18
Proficiency in project planning and optimizing multi-use testing environments
Hands-on experience with physical experiments related to hydraulics
Knowledge of OSHA standards and laboratory safety planning
Strong verbal and written communication skills with a history of technical publications
Responsibilities
Lead research on bridge scour and hydraulics, turning results into design guidance
Manage multiple R&D project portfolios, overseeing scope, schedule, and budget
Publish and communicate findings through technical reports and presentations
Oversee daily lab operations, including scheduling and logistics
Ensure equipment maintenance and calibration for accurate testing
Maintain lab safety protocols and conduct regular inspections
Support field work and coordinate with state DOTs and partners
Supervise and mentor lab staff, enhancing their technical skills
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Employer-paid life and dependent life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability coverage
Paid time off (PTO) and paid federal holidays
Tuition assistance programs
Full Job Description
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.
