Principal Transportation Engineer

ICF; United States; Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF is seeking an experienced Principal Transportation Engineer to join our Transportation Operations team in the Washington DC metro area, with consideration of remote work locations. The role focuses on technical advisory, task-order management, and delivering actionable analyses, roadmaps, and business cases for federal and state transportation clients.

The candidate will lead TSMO and ITS planning, assess emerging technologies such as connected and automated vehicles, manage multi-workstream

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 12+ years of progressive professional experience in TSMO/ITS, transportation operations, or related consulting services for public-sector clients.
• Experience supporting digital modernization of transportation operations and data platforms is valued.
• PMI/PE certification or ability to pursue certification is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead TSMO and ITS planning, strategy, technology assessment, and program implementation for state and federal clients.
• Analyze emerging transportation technologies and concepts (connected/autonomous vehicles, data platforms, traffic management).
• Manage task orders and workstreams including scope, staffing, schedule, budgeting, and quality control.
• Develop client-ready deliverables such as memoranda, strategic plans, roadmaps, and business cases.
• Facilitate client meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagement to surface priorities and translate issues into actionable recommendations.
• Cultivate client relationships and support proposals, capture activities, and account growth.
• Contribute to high-quality project delivery across multiple assignments in collaboration with senior leaders and technical staff.

Skills

Self-motivation

Independent work

Ambiguity management

Trusted advisor

Clear communicator

Collaborative leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

PMP/PE certification

Job description

Title: Principal Transportation Engineer

Location: Washington DC metro area, but remote work locations will be considered.

Overview

ICF is seeking an experienced ITS/TSMO consultant to join our Transportation Operations team. We work with federal and state transportation agencies to advance TSMO, ITS, technology modernization, and data-driven operations. The ideal candidate combines strong domain knowledge with a consultant mindset: strategic thinking, clear communication, collaborative problem solving, and the ability to help clients move from ideas to implementable solutions. This is a non-managerial role with the focus on technical advisory - managing task orders, supporting high-quality project delivery, building trusted client relationships, and help identifying opportunities for follow-on and new work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead TSMO and ITS planning, strategy, technology assessment, and program implementation activities for state and federal transportation clients.
• Analyze emerging transportation technologies and operational concepts, including connected and automated vehicles, integrated corridor management, data platforms, traffic management systems, and digital modernization initiatives.
• Manage task orders and workstreams, including scope development, task planning, staffing coordination, schedule management, budgeting, quality control, and subcontractor coordination.
• Develop client-ready deliverables, including technical memoranda, strategic plans, implementation roadmaps, business cases, performance frameworks, and executive-level presentations.
• Facilitate client meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagement activities that build consensus, surface priorities, and translate complex issues into practical recommendations.
• Cultivate client relationships, identify follow-on opportunities, and support proposals, capture activities, and account growth efforts.
• Contribute to high-quality project delivery across multiple assignments while collaborating effectively with senior leaders, peers, junior staff, and technical specialists.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 12+ years of progressive professional experience supporting TSMO, ITS, transportation operations, technology modernization, or related consulting services for public-sector transportation clients.

Skills

• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, and take ownership of assigned work.
• Trusted advisor who builds credibility with agency executives, managers, operators, technologists, vendors, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Clear and persuasive communicator who can simplify complex operational and technical issues for varied audiences.
• Collaborative leader who mentors staff, draws on diverse technical expertise, and creates high-performing teams.
• Market-aware, with curiosity about emerging technologies, agency needs, and new strategies and technologies for TSMO.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or Professional Engineer (PE), or ability to pursue certification, is desirable but not required.
• Knowledge of TSMO and ITS programs, including transportation operations planning, systems engineering, strategic planning, data management, technology assessments, and program evaluation.
• Ability to assess operational needs, define practical solutions, and frame recommendations in terms of client value, implementation feasibility, cost, risk, benefits, and performance outcomes.
• Experience supporting digital modernization of transportation operations systems, software platforms, data environments, or traffic management capabilities.
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, interviews, or collaborative planning sessions with agency staff, executives, operators, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to support business development through client engagement, capture strategy, proposal writing, solution development, and thought leadership.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer.Together, our employees are empowered to share theirexpertiseand collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation,please email [e-mail] and we will be happy toassist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extentrequired to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more about workplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) CoverageAct.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$131,256.00 - $223,134.00

Nationwide Remote Office (US99)