Research Analyst - Test & Evaluation - Military/Government Experience

Institute For Defense Analyses, Inc.; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental & Vision

Retirement plan

Flexible work environment

Employee Assistance Plan

Paid parental leave

10 paid holidays

Generous paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) seeks an experienced Research Analyst to join the Science, Systems, and Sustainment Division (S3D). This role conducts rigorous analyses of complex military systems to support Department of War (DoW) acquisition and operational decisions.

You will plan, analyze, and report on assessments across domains such as autonomous systems, contested logistics, and space systems. A Ph.D. or Master’s with extensive experience, plus TS/SCI clearance, are required.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's with required DoW-focused experience.
• Experience in military systems analysis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance.
• Willingness for domestic and international travel.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute T&E frameworks to assess systems performance.
• Conduct technical analyses of systems’ effectiveness, suitability, survivability.
• Utilize data analytics and visualization to translate datasets into insights.
• Produce high-impact reports for technical and non-technical audiences, including senior DoW leadership.

Skills

DoW operations

Acquisition lifecycle

Test & evaluation

Military systems analysis

Technical communication

TS/SCI clearance

Education

PhD in quantitative field (EE/Physics/Chem/Math)

Master's degree +6 years experience

Tools

MATLAB

C++

Python

Job description

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is seeking an experienced Research Analyst to join the Science, Systems, and Sustainment Division (S3D). This role is designed for a technical expert capable of conducting rigorous analyses of complex military systems to inform Department of War (DoW) acquisition and operational decisions.

The role will plan, analyze, and report on the assessments of systems that support one or more critical application areas such as: multi-domain collaborative autonomy, contested logistics, counter-unmanned aerial systems, countering adversary targeting (C-C5ISRT), long-range fires, space systems, command and control systems, homeland defense and low-cost munitions. You will participate in and eventually lead studies that evaluate system capabilities, assess performance in contested environments, and provide defensible technical recommendations to senior decision-makers.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute Test and Evaluation (T&E) frameworks to assess systems performance
• Conduct technical analyses of systems’ effectiveness, suitability, survivability
• Utilize data analytics and visualization to translate complex technical datasets into actionable insights.
• Produce high-impact reports and briefings for technical and non-technical audiences, including senior DoW leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Domain Knowledge: Strong understanding of DoW operations, acquisition lifecycle or test and evaluation.
• Education: Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry, Mathematics, with at least 3 years of relevant experience, OR a Master's degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated experience in military systems analysis.
• Communication: Excellent technical communication skills with the ability to work in small, high-performing research teams.
• Security: Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check is required.
• Travel: Domestic or international travel may be required.

Preferred Qualifications- The following experience is not required but will significantly strengthen an application:

• Military Experience: Prior military background or experience working directly with military operators and operational commands.
• Experience areas: Space systems, long-range fires, or missile defense.
• Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI security clearance; prior experience with Special Access Programs (SAP).
• Strategic Analysis: Experience designing studies that evaluate capabilities in the context of operational concepts and requirements in order to influence acquisition decisions.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency in writing production-quality code in MATLAB, C++, or Python.

We are committed to creating a workplace that fosters inclusion and values the unique perspectives and experiences of every individual. Our commitment to inclusion extends beyond recruitment; it permeates our culture, policies, and practices. We strive to provide a respectful and supportive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute their best. Click here to view our vision, mission, and guiding principles.

Benefits

At IDA, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive benefits package that ensures the well-being and security of our staff and their families. We provide a range of medical plans as well as stand-alone dental and vision coverage. Our retirement plans are designed to secure the financial future of our staff, featuring a generous contribution of 10% of base salary to our Qualified Retirement Plan after six months of service. We are committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance with a flexible work environment, an Employee Assistance Plan, paid parental leave, 10 paid holidays, and generous paid time off. IDA encourages professional development and offers tuition reimbursement and other learning opportunities. Learn more about our robust benefit offerings here.

Pay

We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $113,353 - $277,494. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.