Direct Laboratory Directorate Analyst (Medical RDT&E)

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA); Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Hybrid work 1–2 days/week

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc (ARA) is seeking a Direct Laboratory Directorate Analyst to provide technical, programmatic, and strategic support to DoW across a broad spectrum of S&T areas. The role encompasses assessment of emerging platforms, investment strategy support, and congressional activity coordination, with hybrid onsite work 1–2 days per week.

The position requires a TS clearance with SCI eligibility, 8+ years of relevant experience, and strong technical writing skills to produce

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a scientific, technical, business management, or related discipline.
• Active TS security clearance with SCI eligibility.
• 8+ years of recent and relevant experience providing strategic technical oversight of projects.
• Demonstrated proficiency in conducting technical research and translating findings into actionable insights.
• Working knowledge of the PPBE process and its relevance to S&T investment planning.
• Strong technical writing capabilities and the ability to prepare clear documentation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with dispersed staff to meet deliverable schedules.

Responsibilities

• Assess Emerging Technologies (ET) RDT&E programs and monitor developments in platforms and weapons systems.
• Coordinate assessments and analyses of programs and technologies, including Quantum Science and PNT.
• Support ET investment strategies, requirements analysis, solicitations, and evaluation of projects.
• Prepare analytical products, technical briefings, and decision materials for senior leaders.
• Support legislative and congressional activities by tracking actions and preparing materials.
• Draft and coordinate updates to Directives and Instructions.
• Participate in cross-organizational working groups and meetings, document outcomes, and coordinate with DoW and interagency partners.
• Update strategy documents, governance frameworks, and long-range S&T planning materials for enterprise dissemination.
• Prepare issue papers and identify unfunded requirements.

Skills

Technical research

Security clearance

PPBE knowledge

Technical writing

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc (ARA) is seeking a seeks an Direct Laboratory Directorate Analyst to provide technical, programmatic, and strategic support to the Department of War (DoW) across a broad portfolio of advanced science and technology (S&T) areas. The analyst will assess emerging platforms and weapons technologies, support investment strategy development, contribute to congressional and legislative activities, and coordinate cross‑organizational working groups and interagency efforts. This hybrid role includes classified responsibilities and requires onsite performance 1-2 days per week.

What Youll Do:

• Assess and analyze Emerging Technologies (ET) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) programs, monitoring state‑of‑the‑art developments in platforms, weapons systems, and critical technology.
• Assist with the coordination of assessments and analyses of programs and technologies, including Quantum Science and Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT).
• Support the development of ET investment strategies, including requirements analysis, solicitation preparation, and evaluation of proposed technical projects.
• Prepare analytical products, technical briefings, decision materials, and documentation that inform senior leader decision‑making and support Science and Technology (S&T) governance.
• Support legislative and congressional activities by tracking relevant actions, maintaining awareness of reporting requirements, and preparing supporting materials.
• Draft and coordinate updates to Directives and Instructions.
• Participate in cross‑organizational working groups and technical meetings, document outcomes, track action items, and coordinate across DoW and interagency partners as required.
• Assist with updates to strategy documents, directives, governance frameworks, and long‑range S&T planning materials for enterprise‑wide dissemination.
• Prepare issue papers, identify unfunded requirements, and complete various programmatic documentation.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution in a scientific, technical, business management, or related discipline.
• Must have an active / current TS security clearance with SCI eligibility.
• 8+ years of recent and relevant experience providing strategic technical oversight of projects.
• Demonstrated proficiency in conducting technical research, including the ability to analyze complex scientific or engineering information and translate findings into actionable insights.
• Working knowledge of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, including key terminology, decision points, and its relevance to Science and Technology (S&T) investment planning.
• Strong technical writing capabilities and the ability to prepare clear, concise documentation.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with both junior and senior staff in a distributed environment while maintaining a strong commitment to deliverable schedules.

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters degree or higher.
• Ten (10) years of recent and relevant experience providing strategic technical oversight of projects.
• Domain experience in munitions technologies, directed energy, biotechnology, quantum information sciences, unmanned systems, and counter–unmanned aircraft systems (C‑UAS).
• Experience in long-range investment strategy, and programmatic planning.
• Experience with cross organization meetings, working groups, and DoW collaborative environments.
• Experience with data calls, program reviews, and taskers.

Compensation & Benefits: Pay Ranges: From $125,000.00 - $145,000.00 per year based on years of experience, degree and any special skills and knowledge that you may bring to the position. We mostly reserve the upper half of our compensation bands for internal growth. ARA offers competitive benefits that address our employees needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/

COMPANY INFORMATION:

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 2000 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 generates 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 companys 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. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com .