Operations Research / Systems Analyst (ORSA) - Optimization & Mathematical Programming

SMX; Hanover (MD); On-site; USD 123,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid leave

Retirement benefits

Job summary

SMX is seeking an Operations Research Analyst with an optimization and mathematical programming focus in the United States. The role targets complex resource allocation, scheduling, and prescriptive analytics across federal programs requiring a high level of mathematical rigor and secure environments.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years of hands-on OR experience, expertise with major solvers (Gurobi/CPLEX/Xpress), and strong programming skills in Python or R to form actionable recommendations for

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive operations research experience applying optimization and prescriptive analytics.
• 3-5 years supporting DoD or Intelligence Community mission areas such as personnel vetting or counterintelligence.
• Expert-level proficiency in linear, integer, and mixed-integer programming.
• Hands-on experience with major solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX, Xpress) and open-source tools.
• Proven ability to translate optimization results for non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Formulate optimization models (LP/IP/MIP) for resource allocation and scheduling.
• Develop and implement optimization algorithms for assignment and scheduling problems.
• Apply constraint programming and heuristic methods to large-scale problems.
• Create decision-support tools to explore tradeoffs with mathematical rigor.
• Present results to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with data engineers to parameterize models with real data.

Skills

Operations research

Mathematical optimization

Optimization modeling

Constraint programming

Python or R

Optimization solvers

Education

Advanced degree in Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Management Science, or related quantitative discipline

Tools

Gurobi

CPLEX

FICO Xpress

Pyomo

PuLP

OR-Tools

COIN-OR

AMPL

GAMS

Job description

The Operations Research (OR) Analyst - Optimization & Mathematical Programming Focus provides advanced optimization, resource allocation, and prescriptive analytics across a Federal Agency's personnel vetting, industrial security, and counterintelligence operations. This position formulates and solves complex mathematical programming problems that enable the Federal Agency to optimize resource deployment, prioritize competing requirements, and transition from reactive decision-making toward mathematically grounded, optimal resource allocation strategies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Mathematical Optimization & Resource Allocation

• Formulate real-world resource allocation problems as mathematical optimization models (linear programming, integer programming, mixed-integer programming)
• Develop and implement optimization algorithms for complex assignment problems including adjudicator workload distribution, facility inspection scheduling, and investigator allocation
• Apply constraint programming and heuristic methods to solve large-scale, computationally challenging optimization problems
• Build decision support tools that enable operational leaders to explore tradeoffs and make resource deployment decisions with mathematical rigor

Strategic Analysis & Decision Support

• Conduct cost-benefit analyses and apply mathematical programming techniques to optimize the distribution of personnel, budgetary, and operational resources across competing requirements
• Apply risk-based optimization to prioritize facility assessments, case assignments, and inspection schedules based on threat levels and resource constraints
• Perform trade-space analysis and sensitivity studies to understand how optimal solutions change under different assumptions, constraints, or objectives
• Develop multi-objective optimization approaches that balance competing goals (speed, quality, cost, risk mitigation)

Model Development & Implementation

• Utilize optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX, or open-source alternatives like Pyomo, PuLP, OR-Tools) to implement and solve mathematical models
• Validate optimization model outputs against historical operational data and subject matter expert judgment
• Develop prescriptive analytics that recommend specific actions based on optimization results
• Create scenario planning tools that allow decision-makers to explore "what-if" questions regarding resource allocation strategies

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with modeling/simulation specialists to incorporate predictive analytics into optimization formulations
• Partner with data engineering specialists to obtain empirically-grounded parameters, constraints, and objective function coefficients
• Translate mathematical optimization results into clear, actionable recommendations for non-technical decision-makers
• Present optimization approaches, tradeoff analyses, and recommendations to senior leadership
• Participate in cross-functional team activities to maintain technical standards and share knowledge

Required Skills & Experience

• 8+ years of progressive, hands-on operations research experience, including demonstrated application of mathematical optimization, resource allocation modeling, and prescriptive analytics to real-world operational problems
• 3-5 years of that experience supporting DoD or Intelligence Community mission areas such as personnel vetting, industrial security (NISP), counterintelligence, or insider threat
• Expert-level proficiency in mathematical optimization including linear programming, integer programming, and mixed-integer programming
• Hands-on experience with optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX, FICO Xpress, or open-source alternatives such as Pyomo, PuLP, OR-Tools, COIN-OR)
• Demonstrated ability to formulate real-world problems as mathematical programs, including objective function design and constraint identification
• Proven proficiency in an analytical programming language (Python or R), with emphasis on optimization modeling libraries
• Experience with constraint programming and heuristic solution methods for large-scale or computationally difficult problems
• Strong foundation in algorithm design, computational complexity, and solution methods
• Ability to validate optimization models using operational data and communicate results to non-technical stakeholders
• Experience working in secure (classified) government environments
• Secret clearance required (active or ability to obtain)

Desired Skills & Experience

• Advanced degree in Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Management Science, or a related quantitative discipline
• Familiarity with NISP, clearance adjudication processes, and/or insider threat/counterintelligence analytic frameworks
• Experience with nonlinear optimization and stochastic optimization techniques
• Knowledge of multi-objective optimization and Pareto analysis
• Network optimization and graph algorithms (shortest path, max flow, matching problems)
• Experience with scheduling and routing problems (job shop scheduling, vehicle routing)
• Familiarity with game theory and decision analysis under uncertainty
• Knowledge of operations research software (AMPL, GAMS)
• Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) for communicating optimization results
• SQL and database querying skills to support model parameterization
• Knowledge of queueing theory and simulation to better integrate with modeling specialists
• Experience with statistical modeling and risk analysis to inform optimization formulations

The SMX salary determination process takes into account a number of factors, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories, relevant prior work experience, specific skills, education and certifications. At SMX, one of our Core Values is to Invest in Our People so we offer a competitive mix of compensation, learning & development opportunities, and benefits. Some key components of our robust benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement.

The proposed salary for this position is:: $123,000 USD - $206,000 USD

At SMX we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.

We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what's possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.

SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans.

Selected applicant may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification.

SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1 and O-1, or any EADs or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).