About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Non-profit Organizations.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Position overview

Confidential Client is seeking a Transportation Data Scientist (AI Solutions) to support federally-funded transportation research and deployment projects. You will work on AI/ML model development, multimodal data integration, and stakeholder engagement to advance transportation operations, safety, and mobility. This is a full-time, on-site role based at the customer site in Reston, VA, with travel up to 20%.

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What you’ll do

• Assist with data and literature reviews to identify AI/ML methods, relevant datasets, and emerging technologies for freight analytics, traffic safety, and operations.
• Prepare, clean, normalize, enrich, and fuse multi-source transportation datasets (e.g., traffic logs, imagery, weigh-in-motion (WIM) data, weather, permitting records).
• Contribute to design, development, and deployment of AI/ML solutions for transportation use cases (e.g., vehicle load classification with WIM and imagery, crash prediction).
• Evaluate model performance across diverse real-world conditions and recommend improvements for robustness, scalability, and trustworthiness.
• Support data ecosystem development and practices for trustworthy AI (bias identification, data governance, documentation).
• Coordinate stakeholder outreach: organize peer exchanges, workshops, and technical briefings with state DOTs, MPOs, enforcement agencies, and vendors.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align deliverables with USDOT goals, ensure quality assurance, and manage project risks.
• Support monthly progress reporting, iterate models based on feedback, and document technical outcomes for federal reports.

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Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Transportation Engineering, or a related field (Ph.D. preferred).
• 2+ years of professional (non-academic) experience in data science and AI/ML; hands-on experience building AI solutions.
• Practical experience with machine learning frameworks and tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy).
• Demonstrated experience with multimodal data (imagery, sensor/time-series, WIM) and ETL/data integration for applied systems.
• Familiarity with model evaluation metrics and testing approaches (e.g., AUC, accuracy, stress testing across data quality levels).
• Strong technical communication skills — able to present complex AI concepts to non-technical stakeholders and prepare technical reports.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% for stakeholder meetings, site visits, and conferences.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (requires three consecutive years of U.S. residency).
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

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Preferred qualifications

• Prior experience working with state DOTs, FHWA, USDOT, or similar transportation agencies on AI or ITS projects.
• Familiarity with transportation datasets and standards (e.g., HSIS, SHRP2, NGSIM, SAE J2735).
• Experience in synthetic data generation, generative AI (LLMs, GANs), or physics-informed ML for transportation.
• Knowledge of federal AI governance, risk management, and equity considerations.
• Project management experience supporting multi-agency initiatives or communities of practice.
• Publications or presentations in transportation or AI conferences (e.g., TRB, ITS America).

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Location & clearance

This position is expected to work full-time at the customer site in Reston, VA. Candidates must have been continuously located in the United States for the previous three years and be eligible to obtain a Public Trust clearance. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

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Compensation & benefits

• Anticipated salary range listed by the client: $87,100 - $157,450 per year (salary will depend on experience, education, and other factors).
• Benefits may include health and wellness programs, income protection, paid leave, and retirement — details provided by the hiring organization.

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Why this role matters

You will contribute to applied research and deployment projects that shape transportation safety, mobility, and environmental outcomes. The role offers hands-on AI/ML work, collaboration with public-sector stakeholders, and opportunities to influence real-world transportation systems.

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Legal & compliance notes

Careertakes and our client comply with applicable U.S. employment laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to legally protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for candidates with disabilities during the application and interview process.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

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