Operational Research Analyst – National Security Testing

Institute for Defense Analyses; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Tuition reimbursement

40-hour work week

Diversity and inclusion

Job summary

Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) in the Washington, DC area seeks qualified researchers for the Operational Evaluation Division in Alexandria, VA. You will plan and execute testing analyses, present results to senior leaders, and contribute to high-stakes defense evaluations.

Applicants must hold a PhD or Master’s with substantial relevant experience, possess excellent communication skills, and be eligible for a TS/SCI clearance with travel ~25%.

Qualifications

• PhD in a STEM field (such as Physics, Aerospace, Biophysics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Statistics, Information Technology, Computer Science, Operations Research, or any data-intensive field) OR
• Master’s degree in the same fields with 6+ years of work experience in research, system design/engineering, system operations, or policy; OR
• Master's degree with military experience in strategic or missile defense systems
• Strong written and oral communication skills for non-technical audiences
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% time
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance and successful background check

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, observe, and analyze operational testing of military systems to assess user needs under realistic conditions.
• Conduct independent analyses of test results to assess effectiveness, suitability, and survivability.
• Work independently or in small teams to advocate for adequate testing and safe, effective systems.
• Develop firsthand knowledge by participating in department-wide groups and test events.
• Present findings to mid- and senior-level officials through oral and written reports

Skills

Strong communication

Travel readiness

Education

PhD in STEM fields

Master’s + 6+ years experience

Master’s + military experience

Tools

Python

R

MATLAB

Job description

Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) in the Washington, DC area seeks qualified researchers for the Operational Evaluation Division in Alexandria, VA. You will plan and execute testing analyses, present results to senior leaders, and contribute to high-stakes defense evaluations.

Applicants must hold a PhD or Master’s with substantial relevant experience, possess excellent communication skills, and be eligible for a TS/SCI clearance with travel ~25%.