Applied Research Associates Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Research Implementation & Technology Transfer (T2) Specialist to support a government agency in Tallahassee, Florida. This position is embedded within the client’s central office and serves as the critical bridge between completed transportation research and real-world application. The Specialist helps drive research projects from final product delivery into practical field deployment through rigorous implementation planning and tracking, strategic storytelling, and knowledge dissemination across a statewide research portfolio.

Core Services & Responsibilities

Implementation Strategy & Post-Project Closeout

• Closeout Leadership: Facilitate formal project closeout meetings to capture final results and key transition points.
• The Implementation Matrix: Design and document “Implementation Reports” using a custom matrix focused on simplicity and practicality to accelerate the transition from research findings to field deployment.
• Benefit Analytics: Assist in supporting financial and operational benefit evaluations to document the return on investment (ROI) of each completed research project.
• Strategic Communications (Waves & Voices)

• Multi-Media Storytelling: Translate technical findings into accessible “waves” of content, including for feature articles, newsletters, posters, video scripts, and other multimedia formats.
• Success Amplification: Facilitate “Voices of Success” features that highlight lessons learned and project accomplishments for both internal leadership and external stakeholders.
• Digital Presence: Manage and update the Research website and portals to ensure project deliverables are current, accessible, and searchable by practitioners and partners.
• Knowledge & Technology Transfer (T2) Events

• Content Creation: Facilitate knowledge and technology transfer (T2) content such as implementation guides, webinars, workshops, and training materials to support technology adoption among agency staff and partner organizations.
• Event Coordination: Organize and lead technology transfer events, webinars, and demonstrations to showcase new tools, methods, and research findings to field personnel and stakeholders.
• Portfolio & Program Management

• Active Monitoring: Manage a high-volume portfolio of 35–45 active research projects, providing oversight on implementation status, tracking deployment hurdles, and escalating issues as needed.
• Dashboard Analytics: Schedule and document monthly status meetings and provide the data analytics necessary to populate the program’s performance dashboards, supporting transparent reporting to agency leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• General knowledge of the transportation industry and research lifecycle
• Strong ability to translate technical research into practical, field-ready applications
• Excellent communication skills across written, visual, and multimedia formats
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, including program tracking and reporting
• Experience in technology transfer, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge dissemination
• Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate a high-volume portfolio of 35–45 projects simultaneously

Education & Experience Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, Communications, Public Administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 3–5 years of professional experience in transportation research, technology transfer, program management, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated experience translating technical research findings into accessible written, visual, or multimedia content for non-technical audiences
• Experience coordinating or facilitating events such as workshops, webinars, or stakeholder meetings
• Proficiency with project tracking, reporting tools, and digital content management platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, Communications, Public Policy, or a related field
• Experience working with or supporting a state or local transportation agency, research center, or public-sector client
• Familiarity with technology transfer principles and practices, including FHWA or AASHTO technology deployment frameworks
• Experience managing a high-volume portfolio of concurrent projects (30+ projects simultaneously)
• Knowledge of research lifecycle processes, from project initiation through closeout and implementation
• Proficiency with web content management systems and data visualization or dashboard tools

About ARA

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2,300 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns’ greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience.