The ASPIRE Center, headquartered at Utah State University, has an immediate opening for a Senior Transportation Engineer and Modeler (Research Engineer Principal).  They will be responsible for leading transportation-related research projects, modeling and simulation activities, and contributing to the development of electrified and personalized transportation solutions. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge transportation innovations that will shape the future of the field. The role will have an initial emphasis on the State of Utah and its Electrified Transportation Initiative, with additional support for programs across the ASPIRE Center. The position will involve working in partnership with many of the more than 60 industry partners and stakeholders in the Center and the State such as UDOT, WFRC, UTA, PACCAR/Kenworth, Stadler Rail, UPS, Cummins, etc.

This position is telework eligible within the state of Utah. Telework outside of the state of Utah is subject to review and approval by the University prior to a job offer being extended.

• Translate Research into Practice: Lead the translation of research results from transportation-related research projects within ASPIRE into practical application in the State of Utah and additional regions and stakeholders. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across state and planning agencies, industry partners, researchers, engineers, and scientists.
• Transportation Modeling:  Develop and apply advanced transportation models and simulations to assess the performance of electrified transportation systems, considering aspects such as traffic flow, safety, efficiency, accessibility, and environmental impact.
• Data Analysis: Analyze transportation data, including sensor data, surveys, and traffic data, to inform modeling and decision-making processes.
• Innovation: Contribute to the development of innovative transportation technologies and systems that align with ASPIRE's research objectives and the State of Utah's Electrified Transportation Initiative.
• Publications and Reporting: Prepare technical reports, research papers, and presentations to communicate research findings and insights. Publish in relevant scientific journals and present at conferences.
• Grant Proposals: Assist in the preparation and submission of grant proposals to secure funding for transportation research projects.
• Mentoring: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior researchers, graduate students, and interns working on transportation projects within ASPIRE.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with industry partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to advance transportation research and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field OR or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Several years of experience in transportation modeling, traffic engineering, or related areas.
• Proficiency in transportation modeling and simulation software such as VISSIM, Aimsun, or related tools.
• Strong data analysis skills, including the use of statistical software (e.g., R, Python).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with electrified, autonomous and connected vehicle technologies.
• Analytics experience with forecasting, GIS, and data services
• Familiarity with additional transportation-related software and tools, such as SYNCHRO, CORSIM, or HCS.
• Grant writing and proposal development experience.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
3. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The ASPIRE Center is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC) that is headquartered at Utah State University. Our research leads the nation in supporting adoption and advancing the electrified transportation industry! We are the first of its kind in the world to take a holistic approach to eliminate range and charging as barriers to electrifying all vehicle classes, from passenger cars to heavy duty trucks. The ASPIRE team serves as a trusted guide for society and as a champion for inclusive pathways into a diverse engineering workforce specially trained to support the ensuing cross-industry transformations. ASPIRE has grown to over 400 participants across 10 university partners and has more than 60 industry and innovation members actively engaged in its programs. The Center has raised more than $100 million in research and development and pilot project support since 2020 and maintains efforts in research and development and "beyond research" commercialization, pilot projects, and planning support. Since 2023, ASPIRE has been designated by the State of Utah as the lead institution for statewide strategic planning for electrified transportation.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 04/2024

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023