Mid-Level OT/IT Network & Cybersecurity Engineer

Leidos is hiring a Mid-Level OT/IT Network & Cybersecurity Engineer for the Saxton Lab Team at FHWA STOL in McLean, VA (onsite), focused on operational technology and IT network/testbed infrastructure and the lab’s OT/ICS cybersecurity posture.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate OT/IT networks for testbeds, including VLAN segmentation, firewall/ACL, routing, wireless distribution, and the fiber/copper cabling plant
• Support connectivity from the lab testbed backhaul to field-deployed roadside units (RSUs), edge nodes, and remote sites, including connected-vehicle links (C-V2X PC5/Uu, 5G NR, Wi-Fi)
• Own day-to-day testbed and Smart Garage operations, covering commissioning and maintenance of RSUs, onboard units (OBUs), signal controllers, edge platforms, and network hardware
• Troubleshoot connectivity and performance across lab and field deployments, including latency, protocol behavior, and hardware issues
• Maintain accurate network documentation and ensure reliable time synchronization for experiments using PTP/IEEE 1588, NTP, and GPS
• Enable dependable edge-to-analytics data movement so experiments produce reproducible results
• Establish and maintain a lab-wide OT security posture using relevant frameworks (for example NIST SP 800-82/800-53) with judgment for research or task-order needs
• Apply defense-in-depth segmentation for OT environments using the Purdue Model or IEC 62443, including constructs such as an IT/OT DMZ and bastion hosts with filtering controls
• Stand up and operate V2X security capabilities, including PKI and SCMS credentialing
• Perform OT-appropriate vulnerability assessment and run intrusion/anomaly monitoring, coordinating remediation with program security
• Build and maintain a security environment that supports transportation cybersecurity research, keeping practical incident-response procedures and cybersecurity reviews current
• Support concurrent R&D projects by translating research requirements into testbed configurations and keeping environments in known, repeatable states
• Support test scenarios and instrumentation for in-vehicle and roadside activities, including technical preparation and execution of lab tours, live demonstrations, and field testing
• Maintain the lab safety posture by ensuring OT/IT/cybersecurity work follows safety procedures during routine operations, testing, and special events, including change-control for reconfigurations, deployments, and firmware updates
• Treat OT cybersecurity as safety-critical and apply domain-specific safety practices (RF, electrical/cabling, on-road and closed-course protocols), partnering with facilities on power, environmental controls, and cable management

Requirements

• 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 a related technical field (Electrical/Computer Engineering, Network Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or similar) with 4–8 years hands-on experience in OT/IT networking, R&D, industrial, or field-deployed systems
• Alternative: technical associate’s degree with 7+ years relevant hands-on experience
• Experience designing, deploying, and administering OT or IT/OT converged networks, including managed switching/routing, VLAN segmentation, VPN, and firewall rules, in OT/ICS or research-testbed environments with field-deployed devices (required: 4+ years)
• Infrastructure fundamentals including fiber/copper cabling, network/RF diagrams, and time synchronization using NTP, PTP/IEEE 1588, and GPS
• Comfort with Linux for device administration and scripting
• Working knowledge of C-V2X (PC5/Uu) for connected-vehicle communication, or strong aptitude to learn quickly
• Holistic OT/ICS security understanding, including applying NIST SP 800-82/800-53, Purdue Model, and IEC 62443 in a transportation research environment with appropriate judgment
• Familiarity with OT threat landscape and PKI/SCMS for V2X credentialing
• Awareness of how cybersecurity relates to functional safety in automated systems
• Strong written and verbal communication for documentation and stakeholder briefings, with ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to perform hands-on work in lab, garage, and field settings, including lifting up to 50 lbs and occasional off-hours support for testing and events (with reasonable scheduling flexibility)

Required / Relevant Technologies

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

Benefits

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

Compensation

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

Preferred Qualifications

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

Location: McLean, VA (onsite)

Experience: 4+ years (minimum)

Education: Bachelor’s degree (or technical associate’s degree) in a related technical field

Original posting date: July 8, 2026