Research Analyst

Amentum company; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement benefits including 401(k)

Educational reimbursement

Parental leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Tax-saving options

Disability and life insurance

Pet insurance

Job summary

Amentum is seeking a Research Analyst to support the FBI Enterprise Vetting Center in Winchester, VA. The role focuses on rigorous research, analysis, and vetting of sensitive information, with on-site execution and strict security requirements.

Ideal candidates hold an active Top-Secret clearance and have experience with background investigations, risk assessments, and high-detail reporting. The position emphasizes accuracy, confidentiality, and collaboration with team leads.

Qualifications

• Active Top-Secret US Government Clearance required.
• Experience or familiarity with derogatory information assessments, background checks, personnel vetting, or related analytical research.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly when reviewing non-reportable information and identifying discrepancies or potential issues.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly explain simple to moderate issues and processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to resolve routine issues or provide clarification regarding research processes and findings.
• Ability to recognize when an issue requires escalation to the Team Lead or program management.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive or classified information.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough research and analysis to assess data identifiability and derogatory content for risk assessments and vetting.
• Analyze complex data sets and extract key information for security assessments and vetting requirements.
• Draft clear, concise findings in formal report formats for submission to government agencies.
• Ensure all items meet government quality assurance standards.
• Handle sensitive information in accordance with security regulations and policies.
• Utilize MS Excel and Word to manage and document work items.
• Maintain organization to track multiple items and meet deadlines.
• Work with Team Leads and program leadership to support EVC operations.

Skills

Top-Secret clearance

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Problem solving

Confidentiality handling

Ability to work under deadlines

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Social Sciences, Intelligence Studies, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Research Analyst – FBI Enterprise Vetting Center

About Amentum

Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security and sustainability. Our people apply undaunted curiosity, relentless ambition and boundless imagination to challenge convention and drive progress. Our commitments are underpinned by the belief that safety, collaboration and well-being are integral to success.

Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, we have approximately 50,000employees in more than 70 countries across all 7 continents.

Amentum is seeking an experienced Research Analyst to support the FBI’s Enterprise Vetting Center (EVC). The Research Analyst will be responsible for conducting thorough research, analysis, and vetting activities in support of government operations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of accuracy and efficiency, consistently meeting government-established quality and production standards.

The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical skills, a commitment to accuracy, and experience handling sensitive information in a government or security-related environment. This position is on-site and does not support telework.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough research and analysis of information to assess whether data is identifiable and derogatory, in support of risk assessments, background investigations, or vetting activities
• Analyze complex data sets and extract key information relevant to security assessments, investigations, or agency-specific vetting requirements
• Draft clear, concise, and well-supported findings in formal report formats for submission to relevant government agencies
• Ensure all submitted work items meet or exceed the government's quality assurance standards.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information in strict accordance with applicable security regulations, data protection protocols, and agency policies
• Utilize research tools and general office software, including Microsoft Excel and Word, to effectively manage and document work items
• Maintain strong organizational practices to track and manage multiple active work items simultaneously, ensuring timely and accurate completion
• Adhere to duty hour requirements, working flexible hours between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM while maintaining presence during core hours of 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
• Promote consistent adherence to established procedures, quality standards, and operational requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve routine workflows, processes, and team efficiency.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive, personally identifiable, law enforcement-sensitive, and/or classified information in accordance with applicable security regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with Team Leads, Research Analysts, and program leadership to support effective EVC operations.

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required
• Must have an Active Top-Secret US Government Clearance. Note: US Citizenship is required to obtain a Top-Secret clearance
• Experience or familiarity with derogatory information assessments, background checks, personnel vetting, or related analytical research.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly when reviewing non-reportable information and identifying discrepancies or potential issues.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly explain simple to moderate issues and processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to resolve routine issues or provide clarification regarding research processes and findings.
• Ability to recognize when an issue requires escalation to the Team Lead or program management.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive or classified information in accordance with applicable security regulations, policies, and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Social Sciences, Intelligence Studies, or a related field from an accredited college or university preferred
• Two (2) or more years of hands-on experience in research, analysis, or investigations, specifically in a government or security-related environment
• Prior experience in security clearance, law enforcement, or intelligence context is strongly preferred

Work Environment

This position is performed in a traditional office environment.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand and/or walk; handle or feel objects; and write. Ability to bend, reach, lift, and carry up to 15 pounds.

Compensation Details

$48,000 - $52,000

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting

09/29/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.