• Age: 35 
• Role: Lead IT Application Engineer – Vehicle Electrification 
• Employer: First Student, Inc. 
• Location: Cincinnati, OH 

Joshua Roberts brings a unique blend of technical expertise and mission-driven focus to student transportation, working at the forefront of vehicle electrification and emerging technology. 

Roberts serves as lead IT application engineer for vehicle electrification at First Student, Inc. Based in Cincinnati while working remotely, he plays a key role in advancing electric vehicle infrastructure across the company’s growing fleet. His work connects software, hardware, and vehicle systems, collaborating with partners that include Ampcontrol, IC Bus, Blue Bird, Thomas Built Buses, Autel, ABB, Delta Electronics, Heliox, Samsara, Idaho National Labs, and the Department of Energy. 

His path into student transportation was shaped by mentorship and opportunity rather than a traditional industry background. Roberts began his career in healthcare IT, where he developed deep experience in infrastructure and systems management. A pivotal moment came when a trusted leader encouraged him to explore a new direction.  

“My path to student transportation was driven by mentorship and opportunity,” Roberts said. “When Jason invited me to join him in this venture, I saw an incredible opportunity to apply my technical skills in a sector that directly impacts students’ lives.” 

“Josh is redefining what’s possible in student transportation electrification, establishing himself as a true trailblazer in an industry undergoing its most significant transformation in decades,” said Jason Doiron, IT director, fleet electrification, at First Student. 

While the transition may seem unconventional, Roberts sees strong parallels between the two fields. “Both healthcare and student transportation require reliable infrastructure, serve essential community needs, and demand systems that work flawlessly because people depend on them,” he said. What excites him most is contributing to a mission-driven industry while working alongside people he respects, knowing the work directly supports student safety every day. 

Roberts’ day-to-day responsibilities center on vehicle-to-grid technology and the deployment of new site infrastructure. He spends much of his time testing V2G capabilities, planning site designs and deployment strategies, and building integrations between First Student and third-party applications. Collaboration is central to the role, particularly when working with internal engineering teams to design and deploy infrastructure for new locations. Translating operational needs into scalable and reliable technical solutions is a constant focus. 

“Josh’s most groundbreaking contribution lies in his leadership of first-of-its-kind technology capabilities for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration at an unprecedented scale,” Doiron said. 

“What I love most is being at the forefront of emerging technology while solving real-world engineering challenges,” Roberts said.  

For him, V2G is not theoretical. He is actively testing how electric school bus fleets can support the power grid while maintaining dependable transportation operations. Building new sites from concept through deployment is especially rewarding, knowing the infrastructure decisions made today will shape operations for years to come. 

Designing Resilient Systems for the Real World 

One of the most significant challenges Roberts has faced is bridging the gap between idealized plans and real-world conditions. Utility capacity constraints, inconsistent technology standards, and non-compliant implementations often require rapid adjustments. “These experiences have taught me to assume variability, verify everything, and design processes that are resilient instead of just idealized,” he said. 

The advice Roberts shares with those entering the industry reflects that mindset. He encourages simplicity, consistency, and curiosity. “It’s not who you know; it’s who knows you,” he said, emphasizing the importance of showing up, following through, and earning trust. He also stresses asking questions early and often and approaching challenges with curiosity rather than judgment. 

Looking ahead, Roberts hopes the industry continues accelerating toward cleaner, safer transportation. He wants electric buses to become the default choice, not the exception, helping reduce emissions, noise, and long-term costs for communities. He is also optimistic about the role of partnerships and research organizations in shaping smarter policy and infrastructure planning. 

Beyond technology, Roberts points to quieter but meaningful benefits of electric buses. He has seen fewer student altercations, reduced asthma symptoms, lower anxiety levels, and improved driver retention.  

For Roberts, these outcomes reinforce why the work matters and why exploring what electrification can do is necessary.