Software Technician

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Transportation Software Technician to support a groundbreaking research and development program advancing automated, connected, and intelligent transportation technologies. The Transportation Software Technician supports engineering teams through hands-on field work, equipment testing, data preparation, and lightweight software tasks that enable accurate modeling, simulation, and validation of advanced transportation systems in McLean, VAthrough 100% full onsite presence.

Responsibilities of the Software Technician include:

• Support Civil Engineering Tasks: Assist engineers with planning, design, construction, and maintenance activities for transportation-related systems and structures
• Conduct Field Data Collection: Perform traffic studies including volume counts, speed studies, signal effectiveness checks, lighting assessments, and other roadway performance measurements
• Test & Calibrate Equipment: Modify, develop, test, and calibrate sensors, ITS hardware, traffic counters, roadway devices, and related instrumentation under engineering guidance
• Run Tests & Gather Measurements: Execute test procedures, capture performance logs, record measurements, and support real-world validation of transportation systems
• Prepare Technical Data & Documentation: Structure, clean, and prepare datasets, field notes, and evaluation findings for use in engineering analysis and modeling
• Support Technical Integration: Assist with basic scripting (Python), Linux-based operations, data conversions, and interfacing with equipment diagnostics or system tools
• Collaborate with Engineering Teams: Work alongside transportation engineers, software developers, and physical scientists to support research, modeling, and system validation tasks

Qualifications of the Software Technician include:

• Ability to collect, structure, and prepare technical data; experience with traffic/field data collection, test execution, and instrumentation handling
• Proficiency using Python in a Linux environment (C++ familiarity preferred) for basic scripting, data manipulation, and system support
• Hands-on experience with equipment diagnostics, calibration, and troubleshooting-including ITS hardware/sensors, traffic counters, or signal-related devices
• Familiarity with data interfaces (e.g., JSON ↔ XML), basic API interaction, and Git version control workflows
• Foundational understanding of robotics, autonomous systems, or ITS technologies, or willingness to learn in a research environment
• Must meet Public Trust requirements: U.S. Citizen or Green Card + 3 years recent U.S. residency
• Junior: 0-4 years (BS/BA or 4 yrs relevant experience)
• Mid-Level: 4-8 years (BS+4 / MS+2 / PhD / 8 yrs equivalent)

Keywords : transportation, software, engineer, software engineer, research & development, research & development, R&D, automate, automation, automating, automated, connected, intelligent, ITS, transport, traffic, modeling, simulation, modeling & simulation, modeling and simulation, autonomous, autonomy, autonomous vehicle, AV, McLean, VA, Virginia, onsite, analysis, safety, efficient, solutions, automated control system, hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, HIL, SIL, Python, script, API, integration, data flow, system interaction, system, test, validate, model, hardware, software, unit testing, integration testing, prototype, system architecture, documentation, collaborate, Agile, JIRA, Confluence, Linux, C++, CI pipeline, JSON, XML, API, Git, workflow, Public Trust, clearance, autonomous systems, algorithm, Git version control, version control, data conversion, Continuous Integration, scripting, interface control document, software design, traffic, roadway, throughput, safety, intelligent transportation systems, smart signals, operational improvements, transportation engineering, sensor, sensor integration, robotics, CDA, cooperative driving automation, autonomous systems, automated vehicle, connected vehicle, virtual environments, research prototyping, DOT, department of transportation, FHWA, federal highway administration, SAXTON, STOL, Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory, systems engineering, system integration, software development lifecycle, SDL, design patterns, system interface, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, computer science, computer engineer, controls, aerospace, civil engineer, traffic operations technician, traffic data collection, traffic monitoring system, transportation infrastructure, highway operations, roadway analysis, traffic sensors, signal timing, field instrumentation, break/fix, instrumentation testing, calibration technician, systems diagnostics, electronic test equipment, field service technician, equipment verification, QA, QC, scripting, data processing, Linux command line, Bash, Shell, data logging, API calls, data parsing, Python automation, CAV, Connected Vehicle Systems, Transportation Technology, Systems Troubleshooting

#LI-SW1 #LI-ONSITE