Operations Research Analyst

Samson Rose; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) with company matching

Relocation assistance

Unlimited PTO

Daily catered lunch

No-meeting Fridays

Collaborative, technically driven env.

Job summary

Samson Rose in Los Angeles is seeking an Operations Research Analyst to help build a new Mission Engineering capability from the ground up. You'll apply operations research, modeling and simulation, statistics, and mission-level analysis to evaluate defense scenarios and system effectiveness across sensors, communications, aircraft, and unmanned systems.

This is an early hire on a cross-functional team with significant ownership, collaborating with engineering, product, business development, and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience supporting defense, intelligence, national security, or advanced technology programs.
• Experience conducting mission-level operations analysis, modeling and simulation, or system effectiveness studies.
• Hands-on experience with mission- or engagement-level simulation tools such as AFSIM/ESAMS/Brawler/Ansys STK.
• Strong foundation in statistics, probability, optimization, or mathematical modeling.
• Experience applying quantitative methods (Monte Carlo, DoE, sensitivity/uncertainty analysis).
• Strong proficiency in Python and MATLAB for scientific computing and visualization.
• Experience analyzing system-of-systems interactions and defense kill chains.
• Ability to translate complex analytical results into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build and shape the new Mission Engineering capability from the ground up.
• Apply modeling, simulation, statistics, and mission-level analysis to evaluate defense scenarios.
• Turn simulation results into decision-quality insights for engineering and product teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate operational questions into rigorous studies.

Skills

Monte Carlo simulation

Design of Experiments

statistics

Python

MATLAB

system-of-systems analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Data Science

Tools

AFSIM

ESAMS

Brawler

Ansys STK

Job description

Operations Research Analyst, Mission Engineering

Clearance: Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance required

An innovative, venture-backed defense technology company has engaged us to find an Operations Research Analyst to help build a new Mission Engineering capability from the ground up. In this role, you'll apply operations research, modeling and simulation, statistics, and mission-level analysis to evaluate complex defense scenarios and system effectiveness. You'll work across sensors, communications, aircraft, unmanned systems, weapons, spacecraft, and other mission systems to turn simulation results into clear, decision-quality insights.

A bit about the company:

• Growth-Stage Defense Technology: The company is rapidly scaling its engineering organization and developing advanced technologies for national security and defense applications.
• New Mission Engineering Function: This is an early hire onto a newly established team, offering significant ownership in shaping how mission analysis, modeling and simulation, and system effectiveness studies are performed.
• High-Impact Analysis: The team's work directly supports engineering decisions, product strategy, customer engagements, and evaluations of how systems perform in realistic operational environments.
• Cross-Functional Environment: You'll work closely with engineering, product, business development, and customer-facing teams to translate operational questions into rigorous analytical studies and actionable recommendations.
• Technical Ownership: This is an opportunity to help establish analytical methodologies, simulation practices, and tools as the Mission Engineering function scales.

We're looking for someone who has:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience supporting defense, intelligence, national security, or advanced technology programs.
• Experience conducting mission-level operations analysis, modeling and simulation, or system effectiveness studies.
• Hands-on experience with AFSIM, ESAMS, Brawler, Ansys STK, or similar mission- or engagement-level simulation tools.
• Strong foundation in statistics, probability, optimization, or mathematical modeling.
• Experience applying quantitative methods such as Monte Carlo simulation, Design of Experiments (DOE), sensitivity analysis, or uncertainty analysis.
• Strong proficiency in Python and MATLAB for scientific computing, simulation analysis, data processing, and visualization.
• Experience analyzing system-of-systems interactions, operational scenarios, or defense kill chains.
• Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to translate complex analytical results into clear recommendations and present findings to technical and senior stakeholders.
• Experience developing data visualizations, CONOPS/OV-1 materials, technical reports, or executive-level briefings.
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area.

You'll receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits fully covered by the company
• 401(k) with company matching
• HSA, FSA, life insurance, and additional benefits
• Relocation assistance
• Unlimited PTO
• Daily catered lunch
• No-meeting Fridays
• Collaborative, technically driven environment