Research Implementation Manager

nc; North Carolina; On-site; USD 70,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

North Carolina Department of Transportation seeks an Engineer III (NS) to lead the Implementation and Technology Transfer Program within the Research and Development Unit. You will coordinate projects with department staff, monitor benefits, and promote uptake of research results to advance transportation innovation.

The role emphasizes applying engineering principles to oversee active research, evaluate outcomes, and support both federal and state-funded programs.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the state and federal research and development processes, including new research and technology transfer.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Implementation and Technology Transfer Program coordinating projects with NCDOT staff, monitoring benefits, and promoting adoption of research results.
• Manage Planning, Programming, and Policy research initiatives, providing direct support for the annual R&D work program and special investigative assignments.

Skills

Engineering oversight

Research management

Program evaluation

Job description

Agency

Dept of Transportation

Division

Secretary

Job Classification Title

Engineer III (NS)

Position Number

60029300

Grade

NC20

About Us

It's the mission of the NC Department of Transportation to connect people, products and places safely and efficiently with customer focus, accountability, and environmental sensitivity to enhance the economy and vitality of North Carolina. We encourage you to consider joining NCDOT where our work not only serves the citizens of North Carolina but has an impact on our world through all modes of transportation.

Description of Work

Please note that all positions close at 12:00 AM on the posted closing date. You must apply by 11:59 PM prior to the posted closing date.

The Research and Development Unit operates within the Office of Strategic Advancement and serves as a pivotal resource for the Department of Transportation. This unit is dedicated to coordinating and delivering research assistance that is unbiased, interdisciplinary, and multimodal in nature. By leveraging a broad range of expertise and methodologies, the unit ensures that the Department receives comprehensive research support tailored to various transportation challenges and strategic initiatives.

The Research and Development Unit (R&D) is responsible for overseeing all staff research activities conducted within the Department of Transportation, as well as managing contract research projects funded by both federal and state sources. The unit provides essential Research Management services to other NCDOT business units, facilitating contracts with universities and research centers to advance transportation innovation. Additionally, the R&D Unit directs and coordinates the Department's participation in national programs sponsored by organizations such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). To support ongoing departmental activities, the unit maintains an extensive research library, catalogs state and national research efforts, and keeps detailed records of Board of Transportation meetings. Furthermore, the unit plays a critical role in integrating research findings into departmental practices through the preparation of technical reports, pilot demonstrations, operational test projects, specialized training initiatives, and various technology transfer opportunities.

The primary objective of this position is to manage the Implementation and Technology Transfer Program as well as to manage Planning, Programming, and Policy research initiatives:

• -Regarding the management of the Implementation and Technology Transfer Program the incumbent will be responsible for coordinating implementation projects alongside NCDOT employees, systematically monitoring and assessing the benefits derived from research initiatives, organizing and facilitating training sessions and workshops, and conducting evaluations of cooperative agreement studies and demonstration projects. Additional duties include promoting the successful adoption of research projects, quantifying and articulating the impact of research outcomes, managing ongoing research projects, and undertaking various staff studies. These responsibilities encompass both federally funded and state-funded work programs. Moreover, the individual in this position will collaborate closely with the R&D manager to ensure that policies and work manuals are regularly reviewed, updated, and maintained to reflect current best practices and regulatory requirements.
• -Regarding the management of Planning, Programming, and Policy research initiatives this position will be to provide direct support for activities identified in the annual Research and Development work program and for special investigative assignments. The activities and special assignments may include contract research projects, coordination and outreach with field personnel, operational test projects, cooperative agreement evaluation studies, demonstration projects, research implementation projects and initiatives, evaluating and quantify the impacts of research results, and other staff studies. These responsibilities will cover both Federally funded and state-funded work programs. This position will also work closely with the R&D manager to maintain and update R&D policies and work manuals.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade and Salary Range: NC20 $70,478 - $123,336

Management prefers applicants with the following:

• Knowledge of the state and federal research and development processes, including new research as well as implementation of research projects / products and technology transfer (i.e., Training, Workshops, Pilots, Development, etc).
• Experience using sound engineering principles to effectively provide oversight of active research projects.
• Experience evaluating and communicating the value of research projects / products (