Principal Transportation Engineer

ICF • Reston, VA

13d • $131,256 - $223,134 • Remote

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.

Benefits

• ICF is an equal opportunity employer.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal