Operations Research Analyst

Systems Planning & Analysis; Lorton (VA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) seeks an Operations Research Analyst to provide onsite support at DTRA HQ in Lorton, VA.

The role focuses on modeling, data analysis, and software tools to help decision-makers assess CB threats and warfighter exposure in contested environments. The candidate will join a cross-functional team, work with DoD data sources, and help translate requirements into actionable technical solutions while ensuring program goals align with the division’s mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in a technical field required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Active DoD Secret clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Digest program gaps and requirements; develop research to address gaps.
• Analyze proposal responses and monitor project progression.
• Prepare technical documentation and briefings explaining methodologies.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Self-starter

Problem solving

MS Office proficiency

Education

BS degree in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related technical field

MS degree in a STEM or related field

Job 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.

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 Defense, Interagency Division (JOID) provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, 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. JOID assists the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in developing leading edge technologies to counter WMD in support of Combatant Commands (CCMDs) and transitioning these technologies to military services CCMDs. SPA provides expertise across the full range of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) WMD, Counter Improvised Threat and Countering Threat Network technologies to support understanding, detection, identification, characterization, denial, control, disabling, defeating, disposing, safeguarding the force, managing consequences, and test and evaluation in support of military and civilian operations. We have an immediate need for an Operations Research Analyst to provide onsite support in Lorton, VA, at the DTRA headquarters.

Responsibilities

The candidate will support the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Research and Development-Chemical Biological Department (RD-CB), Enabling Science (CBE) Division, Information Sciences Branch (CBEI). Assist in the following: digesting program gaps and requirements, assist in developing project capability research and development to address these gaps, analyzing proposal responses, advising on recommended path along with recommended modifications, and monitoring research project progression and actively analyze when a pivot in course of action are needed. Apply a solid understanding of chemical and biological agent threat modeling and simulation tools, data handling, and software development in this space. Support the management of technical projects that focus on the development of models, algorithms, and software assets aimed at aiding decision-makers predict, understand, and mitigate warfighter exposure threats in CB contested environments. A pply subject matter knowledge to extract usable information from various sources to aid in decision-making, analyze information for technology trends, and advise on the technical soundness of performer-developed algorithms, models, and capabilities. Prepare technical documentation and briefings to explain the performer-developed tool methodologies, associated assumptions, and conclusions derived from CB software capabilities. Collaborate with the Project Management team on acquisition and procurement tasks while assisting the Government with ensuring assigned portfolios are valuable and aligned to program goals. Contribute to analyzing, developing, and presenting strategic alignments to capability gaps, tracking and advancing transitions, and assisting with taskers for the assigned portfolio in line with the division’s vision and mission. Apply expertise in analyzing, interpreting, and applying modeling tools and an understanding of DoD initiatives aimed at closing knowledge gaps by supporting foundational research, hazard modeling, and data/computer science to support the warfighter. Stay abreast of current novel science and technology (S&T) in the field while exhibiting programmatic skills to trace capabilities to stakeholder requirements. Review technical reports, experimental or theoretical techniques, and scientific studies to ensure technical validity while evaluating current and future technologies.

The position is for in-person work at DTRA HQ in Lorton, VA, at least 4 days a week to complete mission objectives.

Qualifications

Required

• BS degree in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• Able to analyze and recommend approaches for making heterogeneous data sources broadly available for discoverability and access to support a wide consumer-base, analytic needs, and use by diverse applications, services, and systems.
• Able to aid in optimizing the management of data across nodes and the performance of distribution, search, and retrieval.
• Able to execute analytical experiments and prototyping to help solve problems across various domains and industries.
• Able to identify relevant data sources and sets to mine for client business needs, and collect large structured and unstructured datasets and variables.
• Ability to accomplish tasks with minimal supervision and a demonstrated proactive work approach, with a strong sense of accountability, work ethic, and punctuality.
• Self-starter, self-motivated, problem solver, with demonstrated critical and analytical thinking and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Agility with computer software and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Skype).
• Active DoD Secret clearance.
• Broad understanding of DTRA and DTRA RD’s mission and organization.

Desired

• MS degree in a STEM or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in application of scientific principles for scientific research, analysis, and modeling involving data/software.
• Experience within or working with the CBDP enterprise (JPEO, JSTO, JRO, National Labs, DoD Service Labs, DHS, DARPA, BARDA).
• An understanding of database management, data trends analysis, data structures, databases, and data warehousing.
• Experience working with national strategy and doctrine development or implementation.
• Active DoD TS/SCI clearance.Knowledge of, or experience in Federal/DoD acquisition.
• Experience with AR/VR/XR, and TAK products.
• Experience analyzing data to produce reports and improve processes for US Military Projects.

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $88,000.00/Yr. - USD $105,000.00/Yr.