Nuclear Policy Analyst

SAIC; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Nuclear Policy Analyst to support SAF/SA Nuclear Analysis Team in Arlington, VA. The role focuses on validating nuclear modeling constructs and informing senior decision-makers on nuclear and conventional integration, deterrence, and warfighting impacts.

The analyst will develop briefings, papers, and reports based on modeling and simulation, coordinating with military services, Joint Staff, and national laboratories to produce analytic products supporting Air Force and joint

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and ten (10) years or more of related experience.
• Master's degree and eight (8) years or more of related experience.
• PhD or JD and ten (5) years or more of related experience.
• Top Secret clearance required to start; TS/SCI eligibility required to maintain employment.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytic input on nuclear effects, logistics, and NC3 topics for senior leaders.
• Coordinate with external partners (DTRA, National Labs) to integrate data into studies.
• Prepare read-ahead materials, talking points, and summaries for leadership forums.
• Develop and staff analytic and policy products (white papers, MOAs, RFIs) ensuring correct classification.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

TS/SCI eligibility

U.S. citizenship

Modeling & simulation

Brief senior leaders

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD or JD

Job description

SAIC is seeking a Nuclear Policy Analyst to support the Department of the Air Force, Studies and Analysis Directorate (SAF/SA) Nuclear Analysis Team in Arlington, VA. The Nuclear Policy Analyst will help validate nuclear modeling constructs and inform senior decision-makers on nuclear and conventional integration, deterrence, and warfighting impacts.

The successful candidate will develop briefings, papers, and reports on strategic and theater-level conventional and nuclear integration based on modeling and simulation analysis (M&SA) and subject matter expertise. The candidate will also coordinate with the Military Services, Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of War staffs, Department of War agencies, and National Laboratories to produce analytic products that directly support Air Force and joint priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytic and technical input analysis and discussions, contributing to nuclear effects, logistics, and NC3-related topics, and helping senior leaders understand implications, risks and options.
• Support external stakeholder engagement with key nuclear/NC3 organizations (e.g., AF/A10, DTRA, AFNWC, National Laboratories, MAJCOMs) by mapping engagement relationships, maintaining contact and interaction trackers, and synchronizing meetings and information exchanges.
• Support nuclear-focused studies and analyses by maintaining study plans and POA&Ms, organizing engagement questionnaires, tracking organisational engagements, refining analytic graphics, and translating study findings into actionable recommendations for senior leaders.
• Support division- and team-level leadership forums by preparing read-ahead materials, drafting talking points, and capturing guidance, decisions, and follow-on actions for senior leaders.
• Coordinate and refine technical inputs from external partners (e.g., DTRA, National Laboratories), reviewing products for accuracy and applicability, and integrating data and modelling outputs into ongoing nuclear and NC3 studies.
• Support planning and execution of specialised training and courses (e.g., High Altitude Nuclear Effects (HANE) Course) by coordinating participants, prerequisites, and logistics, and applying course outcomes to improve Nuclear Team planning and analysis capabilities.
• Coordinate and facilitate secure and non-secure engagements (including TS/SCI VTCs, working groups and technical conferences), including scheduling, agenda alignment, clearance verification, IT and communications setup, note-taking, and post event summaries with recommended actions.
• Develop, staff, and track analytic and policy products (e.g., white papers, MOAs, RFIs, nuclear effects products), ensuring technical accuracy, appropriate classification handling and alignment with SAF/SA and DAF priorities.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree and ten (10) years or more of related experience;
• Master's degree and eight (8) years or more of related experience;
• PhD or JD and ten (5) years or more of related experience.

Required Skills and Experience

Top Secret clearance required to start; TS/SCI eligibility required to maintain employment.

U.S. citizenship required.

Ability to assist in translating CWMD/nuclear operations and effects into campaign-level modelling and simulation analysis (M&SA).

Experience briefing senior civilian and military leadership.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience in joint and Air Force campaign plans and operations (Air Operations Center or modelling and simulation experience a plus).
• Graduation from Air Force Weapons School or an equivalent advanced tactical/operational course.
• Theatre nuclear operations course graduate or equivalent experience.
• Experience in Air Force bomber operations and employment.
• Experience with systems (weapons or aircraft) programme office activities.
• Familiarity with Department of the Air Force Programme Objective Memorandum (POM) and Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) processes.