Sr. Operations Research Analyst Job Listing at SPA in Arlington, VA (Job ID 22800)

Description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing results that matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.  

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of War, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of War, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues. 

The Acquisition and Technology Analysis Group within JOID specializes in the application of multi-disciplinary analytic skills to support multiple clients within the Department of War (DoW). These clients include the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)), Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSW(A&S)), DARPA, the Joint Staff, and USINDOPACOM. SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future. 

We have an upcoming need for a Sr. Operations Research Analyst to provide onsite support at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA with significant travel. 

The candidate will lead the analysis team supporting joint, operator-in-the-loop virtual modeling and simulation experiments that explore future missile defense requirements, capabilities, and concepts. Will work directly with sponsors and operational users to define desired learning objectives and the overall analytical approach. In close collaboration with technical and operational teams, will shape the analytical strategy, design rigorous experiments, and conduct post-event analysis to provide senior leadership with clear findings and actionable recommendations. Lead and mentor the Nimble Fire analysis team, and conduct and present analyses in a high-profile, time-sensitive, classified environment.

Required:

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in operations research, data collection, analysis, and visualization, with at least 10 years of experience in Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) or a related area, a professional minimum of 5 of which include supporting the Joint Staff, OSW, Service HQ, or CCMD HQ.
• Active TS/SCI and SAP eligible.
• Able to work onsite at Pentagon with extensive travel (within CONUS), ~20 weeks per year (scheduled and predictable).
• Demonstrated ability to explain technical concepts clearly and concisely to non‑technical audiences.
• Excellent communication skills - written, verbal, and visual - with the ability to tailor messaging to executives, business users, and engineering peers.
• Proven record of effective collaboration with cross‑functional stakeholders.

Desired:

• Background on virtual simulation environments, particularly using Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocols.
• Strong SQL skills and proficiency in a programming language such as R, Python, VBA, or Matlab.
• Experience with commercial data analytics toolsets such as Spotfire.
• Knowledge of Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, Cyber, Command & Control, Air Combat, and/or military deliberate planning processes.

Required:

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in operations research, data collection, analysis, and visualization, with at least 10 years of experience in Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) or a related area, a professional minimum of 5 of which include supporting the Joint Staff, OSW, Service HQ, or CCMD HQ.
• Active TS/SCI and SAP eligible.
• Able to work onsite at Pentagon with extensive travel (within CONUS), ~20 weeks per year (scheduled and predictable).
• Demonstrated ability to explain technical concepts clearly and concisely to non‑technical audiences.
• Excellent communication skills - written, verbal, and visual - with the ability to tailor messaging to executives, business users, and engineering peers.
• Proven record of effective collaboration with cross‑functional stakeholders.

Desired:

• Background on virtual simulation environments, particularly using Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocols.
• Strong SQL skills and proficiency in a programming language such as R, Python, VBA, or Matlab.
• Experience with commercial data analytics toolsets such as Spotfire.
• Knowledge of Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, Cyber, Command & Control, Air Combat, and/or military deliberate planning processes.

The candidate will lead the analysis team supporting joint, operator-in-the-loop virtual modeling and simulation experiments that explore future missile defense requirements, capabilities, and concepts. Will work directly with sponsors and operational users to define desired learning objectives and the overall analytical approach. In close collaboration with technical and operational teams, will shape the analytical strategy, design rigorous experiments, and conduct post-event analysis to provide senior leadership with clear findings and actionable recommendations. Lead and mentor the Nimble Fire analysis team, and conduct and present analyses in a high-profile, time-sensitive, classified environment.