Lab Administrative Support Specialist

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 Administrations (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 policydeveloping and evaluating cutting-edge systems for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. The labs 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 positionits an opportunity to support the day-to-day operations of a federal R&D laboratory that is shaping the future of transportation. Youll 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 logisticsspace 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 labs 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 audiencesinternal 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:
Bachelors 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 drivers 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 companys 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: $60000$80000 per year (commensurate with experience).
The position is eligible for the companys comprehensive benefits package including health insurance retirement plan paid time off and professional development support.

If youre looking for comfort keep scrolling. At Leidos we outthink outbuild and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt provoke and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30 and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

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.