Job Description

**Description** Leidos is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented professional to join our Saxton Lab Team as a **Lab Administrative Support Specialist!** Our team operates the **Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory (STOL), a USDOT research lab.** STOL is a research and development center advancing the science of connected and automated vehicle technologies and digital roadway infrastructure. Our mission is to improve transportation safety, mobility, and environmental outcomes through innovation, testing, and real-world demonstrations. We work at the intersection of engineering, data, and policy-developing and evaluating cutting-edge systems for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. The lab's culture values initiative, curiosity, collaboration, and a strong sense of public purpose. Learn more about STOL here! **Why Join Us** This is not a typical administrative position-it's an opportunity to support the day-to-day operations of a federal R&D laboratory that is shaping the future of transportation. You'll gain front-row access to groundbreaking research, work alongside engineers and program managers, and see how your efforts directly enable national innovation initiatives. We offer a collaborative work environment, professional development opportunities, and a culture that rewards initiative and efficiency. **Position Summary** The **Lab Administrative Support Specialist** is the operational backbone of the Saxton Lab. This role combines advanced administrative management with proactive coordination of business, HR, and logistical functions that keep the lab running efficiently. You will provide direct support to research teams, ensuring that administrative, procurement, and communication processes align with organizational policies and project objectives. **Key Responsibilities:** **_Administrative Operations & Human Resources_** - Perform advanced administrative and office management tasks in a high-performance R&D environment. - Manage procurement of goods and services, vendor coordination, and tracking of expenditures to maintain research continuity. - Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes, coordinating IT, facilities, and security requirements for new staff and visitors. - Maintain compliance documentation including SOPs (standard operating procedures), safety protocols, and audit-ready records. - Support lab logistics-space management, facility maintenance coordination, and inventory tracking. - Ensure adherence to federal, contractual, and organizational procedures. - Execute other duties as assigned. **_Communication & Coordination_** - Serve as the lab's first point of contact for internal and external inquiries, redirecting requests as needed. - Draft and manage professional correspondence, memos, and reports for leadership and clients. - Compile progress updates and activity reports for diverse audiences-internal management, public stakeholders, and sponsors. - Coordinate special events, workshops, and lab tours showcasing R&D initiatives. **_Project & Program Coordination_** - Track project milestones, timelines, and deliverables across multiple research efforts. - Maintain organized archives of reports, deliverables, and correspondence using SharePoint and team collaboration tools. - Prepare meeting materials, manage scheduling, take notes, and ensure timely follow-up actions. - Support project documentation and data management needs in partnership with engineers and project managers. **Required Qualifications:** **Education & Experience:** - Bachelor's degree in business administration, project management or a related field plus at least **2 years'** experience in an office environment, or High School diploma with **4 years** of progressively challenging office experience. **Technical Proficiency:** - Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel). - Experience using SharePoint or similar cloud based collaboration tools. **Security & Clearance:** - Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance, requiring three years of continuous residency in the United States. - All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship. - Valid driver's license and ability to pass a DMV background check. **_Communication & Organization:_** - Excellent written and verbal communication skills. - Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively. **On site Requirement:** - Must be available to work full time on site at the McLean lab, five days per week. **Preferred Qualifications** - Experience supporting government contracting or federally funded R&D environments. - Familiarity with business development operations and contract compliance. - Advanced MS Office utilities (Excel macros, VBA, or database management). - Demonstrated interest in science, engineering, or technology applications. **Key Attributes for Success** - Thrives in a small, fast-paced team where collaboration with engineers and researchers is routine. - Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and strong follow-through. - Recognizes interdependencies, anticipates scheduling or workflow conflicts, and proactively resolves them. - Adapts quickly to evolving priorities while maintaining composure under deadlines. - Eager to learn new technologies and contribute to the operational success of advanced transportation research. **Application Instructions** Interested applicants should submit the following materials through the company's careers portal: 1. Résumé highlighting relevant administrative and coordination experience. 2. Cover letter addressing: a. Experience supporting research or technical teams. b. Familiarity with collaboration tools and process improvement. c. Approach to organization, multitasking, and communication in a fast-paced setting. **Compensation & Benefits** - Salary Range: $60,000-$80,000 per year (commensurate with experience). - The position is eligible for the company's comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off and professional development support. At Leidos, we don't want someone who "fits the mold"-we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, "what's next?" before the dust settles on "what's now." If you're already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2... good. You'll fit right in. **Original Posting:** October 31, 2025 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. **Pay Range:** Pay Range $50,700.00 - $91,650.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law. **About Leidos** Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit . **Pay and Benefits** Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at . **Securing Your Data** Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos' name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com . If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ( . **Commitment to Non-Discrimination** All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws. REQNUMBER: R-00169809 All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Leidos will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in accordance with relevant Laws. Leidos is an equal opportunity employer/disability/vet.

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Local area, Immediate start,

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