Concrete Research Engineer

Genex Systems•McLean, VA

1d•$80,000 - $124,000•Onsite

About The Position

Genex Systems is hiring a Concrete Research Engineer to plan and conduct structural research projects for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the Structures Laboratory at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC), the nation's premier highway research facility. The Structures Laboratory specializes in developing and testing innovative bridge designs, materials, and construction methods aimed at making the nation's bridges more efficient and durable. Its work spans full-scale testing of bridges and bridge components, field evaluation of in-service structures, and forensic investigation of structural failures for state Departments of Transportation, FHWA divisions, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) — determining root causes of bridge failures and developing practices to prevent them from happening again.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering, plus at least 4 years of related research experience (or a Bachelor’s Degree, plus 8 years of related research experience)

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering
Experience with concrete as used in the design, rating, and construction of bridges
Familiarity with digital-to-analog data acquisition and sensor selection/wiring (see instrumentation list above)
Experience with setup and operation of closed-loop, servovalve-controlled hydraulic systems
Experience with design of loading structures
Familiarity with standard concrete property characterization tests (ASTM C39, C78, C469, C496, C512, C1856, C157, and C666)
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write publication-ready research reports and present at demonstration projects, seminars, committee meetings, and workshops

Responsibilities

Plan and conduct structural research projects focused on concrete as used in the design, rating, and construction of bridges
Select and wire instrumentation for data acquisition — including strain gauges, accelerometers, tiltmeters, potentiometers, linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs), extensometers, and load cells
Set up and operate closed-loop, servovalve-controlled hydraulic testing systems
Design loading structures to support research test setups
Conduct standard concrete property characterization tests, including compressive strength (ASTM C39), flexural strength (ASTM C78), modulus of elasticity (ASTM C469), splitting tensile strength (ASTM C496), creep (ASTM C512), ultra-high performance concrete fabrication and testing (ASTM C1856), length change (ASTM C157), and freeze-thaw resistance (ASTM C666)
Write publication-ready research reports, and present findings at demonstration projects, seminars, committee meetings, and workshops