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Ascension is seeking a Senior Engineer to provide advanced engineering analysis, technical advisory support, and safety-focused engineering expertise supporting the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The ideal candidate is an experienced engineering professional who can apply technical expertise, analytical methods, and engineering principles to support federal safety programs, regulatory decision-making, and mission-critical research initiatives.

This role is designed for an engineer who can independently analyze complex technical challenges, evaluate safety risks, support engineering studies and models, and communicate technical findings to both engineering professionals and senior government decision-makers.

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience applying engineering methodologies to safety-critical environments, including transportation safety, hazardous materials, pipeline systems, regulatory programs, industrial operations, or comparable public safety domains. The candidate should be comfortable working across multidisciplinary teams involving engineers, scientists, analysts, program managers, and government stakeholders.

Summary of the Contractor Role

The Senior Engineer will serve as a technical authority supporting PHMSA engineering research, safety program development, technical evaluations, and regulatory decision-support activities.

The position will support engineering and technical analysis efforts under PHMSA’s Technical Support Services BPA, including engineering studies, specialized research, modeling and simulation activities, safety-system assessments, technical reviews, feasibility analyses, and development of engineering recommendations. The role requires the ability to evaluate complex technical information, apply sound engineering judgment, and develop defensible analytical products that support federal safety decisions.

The Senior Engineer will contribute to activities such as:

• Engineering analysis supporting hazardous materials transportation and pipeline safety programs.
• Evaluation of technical risks, system performance, and safety implications.
• Development and review of engineering models, simulations, and analytical methodologies.
• Preparation of technical reports, engineering memoranda, briefing materials, and recommendations.
• Support for regulatory alternatives analysis and evidence-based decision-making.

The ideal candidate is:

• A technically rigorous problem solver who can independently analyze ambiguous engineering challenges.
• A detail-oriented professional capable of producing accurate, defensible technical documentation.
• A collaborative team member able to communicate effectively with engineers, analysts, program managers, and federal stakeholders.
• A self-driven contributor capable of managing multiple technical priorities with limited supervision.

This role directly supports PHMSA’s mission of protecting people and the environment by advancing safe transportation of hazardous materials and energy resources.

Position Responsibilities / Expected Activities

The Senior Engineer will:

• Conduct engineering analyses supporting PHMSA safety programs, regulatory activities, and technical decision-making.
• Apply engineering principles to evaluate complex systems, operational processes, safety risks, and technical alternatives.
• Perform technical studies, applied research, and engineering assessments related to hazardous materials transportation and pipeline safety.
• Develop, review, and validate engineering models, simulations, analytical approaches, and technical methodologies.
• Analyze technical data and engineering findings to identify trends, risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Support safety-system assessments and evaluations of technical requirements, operational practices, and industry approaches.
• Develop engineering recommendations and technical solutions addressing complex safety challenges.
• Review technical documentation, research findings, engineering reports, and analytical products for accuracy and completeness.
• Support testing strategies, evaluation approaches, and technical assessment methodologies.
• Prepare technical reports, white papers, memoranda, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Translate complex engineering concepts into understandable recommendations for non-technical stakeholders and senior government leaders.
• Participate in technical meetings, working groups, and stakeholder discussions with PHMSA personnel and technical partners.
• Collaborate with risk analysts, technical advisors, data analysts, and program managers to develop integrated solutions.
• Support continuous improvement of engineering processes, tools, methodologies, and technical capabilities.