Program Analyst

Arenatechnologies; Germany (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arenatechnologies seeks a Program Analyst to support capability development and rapid acquisition initiatives. The successful candidate will lead the Capability Development Working Group, conduct capability gap analyses, and manage new capability requirements. A Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field is essential.

Experience in national security acquisition and proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 are required, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to engage senior leaders confidently.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with engineering, technical, or systems-oriented background preferred.
• Experience in capability development or acquisition in national security.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and strong communication skills.
• Top Secret clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Lead Capability Development Working Group managing lifecycle of CGL items.
• Conduct DOTmPLF‑P analyses on capability needs and proposed solutions.
• Perform market research to identify technologies aligned with priority gaps.
• Refine and document new capability requirements and support rapid acquisition.
• Provide technical oversight across a portfolio of emerging capabilities.

Skills

Capability development

Requirements analysis

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

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 U.S. 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 Sea, Land, Air Analysis Group’s mission is to deliver objective analyses, plans and strategies to U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, USAF, other DoD, and Australian Defence Force clients to support technology development, acquisition, delivery and sustainment decisions. The group provides the core of SPA thought leadership on Undersea Strategy, Software Development and Cost Estimating, with additional benchmark capabilities in AI/ML & Decision Analytics, Modeling and Simulation, and Future Force Assessments.

SPA has a need for a Program Analyst to support a high‑visibility capability development and rapid acquisition mission set. This role blends capability gap analysis, Doctrine, Organization, Training, materiel, Policy, Leadership and Education, Facilities, and Personnel (DOTmPLF‑P) analysis, rapid prototyping, targeted market research, and portfolio management to accelerate delivery of operationally relevant solutions. The analyst will serve as a government contractor supporting the Capability Development Working Group and must bring a strong engineering or technical foundation to help translate emerging operational problems into actionable requirements, technically informed solution pathways, and minimum viable product (MVP)‑ready capabilities.

Responsibilities

Program Analyst will

• Lead and coordinate the Capability Development Working Group by managing the full lifecycle of Capability Gap List (CGL) items, maintaining the central repository, and ensuring alignment with mission priorities and strategic guidance.
• Conduct technically informed DOTmPLF‑P analyses on emerging capability needs and proposed solutions, assessing feasibility, integration challenges, and engineering trade‑offs while representing the organization in cross‑functional forums.
• Perform targeted market research and industry engagement to identify technologies aligned with priority gaps, evaluate technical maturity and integration potential, and prepare leadership for technical exchanges and senior‑level engagements.
• Refine and document new capability requirements; support rapid acquisition pathways including prototyping, MVP development, experimentation, flexible contracting (OTAs/CSOs), and execution of demos, exercises, and integration events.
• Provide technical oversight across a portfolio of emerging capabilities—such as counter‑UAS, directed energy, sensing, and data fusion—supporting operational validation, CONEMP/CONOPS refinement, and coordinated transition planning with mission partners.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, as well as engineering, technical, or systems‑oriented background strongly preferred (e.g., engineering, physics, computer science, systems engineering, or related fields).
• Experience in capability development, requirements analysis, or acquisition within the Air Force or a similar national security environment, including demonstrated ability to conduct DOTmPLF‑P analysis, capability gap assessments, or operational problem framing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and strong written and verbal communication skills; able to operate with minimal oversight and confidently engage senior leaders.
• Strong project management and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Top Secret clearance and the ability to maintain it throughout employment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience evaluating technical solutions, system architectures, or engineering trade‑offs in support of capability development.
• Background in operational gap analysis, prototyping, or field experimentation.
• Experience with rapid acquisition or experimentation pathways (OTA, CSO, AFWERX‑like models).