Senior Advisor - AUKUS Pillar Integration

Arenatechnologies; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) seeks a Senior Advisor – AUKUS Pillar Integration to support the Deputy Director for AUKUS and International within Team Submarine.

This senior role delivers strategic analysis and authoritative counsel to inform interagency decisions on programs of national significance. The ideal candidate brings extensive submarine enterprise experience and deep knowledge of U.S.

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of professional experience within the submarine enterprise.
• Bachelor's Degree.
• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal advisor to the Deputy Director on AUKUS Pillar II initiatives, working closely with fleet representatives, Team Submarine, and other key stakeholders.
• Identify and analyze program risks associated with the AUKUS Pillar I Optimal Pathway and provide integrated assessments of program progress, dependencies, and challenges.
• Support the integration of international program management activities across the Deputy Director’s portfolio.
• Prepare the Deputy Director for engagements with senior Department of Defense and Pentagon stakeholders.
• Lead high-priority projects and analyses supporting AUKUS and broader international initiatives.
• Translate complex acquisition, operational, and policy issues into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leaders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Briefing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree

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 US 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.Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The AUKUS, Submarines, and Industrial Base Group (ASIG), within the Sea, Land, Air Division, provides timely, objective, analytic assessments that integrate technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis to Director Submarine Program directorates and key stakeholders surrounding submarine platform construction. Director Submarine Program unifies submarine platform procurement activities, which includes the Columbia-class SSBN program (a Major Defense Acquisition Program and the Navy’s top acquisition priority), the Virginia-class SSN program, the new SSN-X program (developing the next generation attack submarine), and the AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Office, to bring improved capabilities to our undersea forces. Analysts and Engineers supporting Director Submarine Program will continue SPA’s decades of support to the SSBN force, as well as supporting oversight of cutting-edge attack submarine construction, assisting in developing the design requirements for the SSN platform of the future, and helping plan and execute new and innovative strategies to strengthen the critical submarine shipbuilding industrial base. These are high-profile, major acquisition and manufacturing programs of significant importance to the future capabilities of the US Navy in an era of renewed strategic competition.

Responsibilities

SPA is seeking a Senior Advisor – AUKUS Pillar Integration to support the Deputy Director for AUKUS and International within Team Submarine. This senior-level position will provide strategic analysis and authoritative advice to inform interagency and international decision-making on programs of national significance. The ideal candidate brings extensive submarine enterprise experience, deep knowledge of U.S. defense acquisition, and the ability to advise senior government and industry leaders in a complex, high-visibility environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal advisor to the Deputy Director on AUKUS Pillar II initiatives, working closely with fleet representatives, Team Submarine, and other key stakeholders.
• Identify and analyze program risks associated with the AUKUS Pillar I Optimal Pathway and provide integrated assessments of program progress, dependencies, and challenges.
• Support the integration of international program management activities across the Deputy Director’s portfolio.
• Prepare the Deputy Director for engagements with senior Department of Defense and Pentagon stakeholders.
• Lead high-priority projects and analyses supporting AUKUS and broader international initiatives.
• Translate complex acquisition, operational, and policy issues into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leaders.

Location and Travel

This position is based at SPA’s office in Alexandria, Virginia. Frequent travel to the Washington Navy Yard is required, with the potential for occasional international travel.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• At least 15 years of professional experience within the submarine enterprise.
• Bachelor's Degree
• Demonstrated success providing authoritative counsel to Flag Officers, Senior Executive Service leaders, or equivalent corporate executives on programs of national significance.
• Detailed knowledge of U.S. defense acquisition processes.
• Experience supporting submarine acquisition activities, preferably on-site at the Washington Navy Yard.
• Strong analytical, written communication, briefing, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Minimum Active Secret security clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the AUKUS Optimal Pathway.
• Experience with unmanned undersea vehicles.
• Service in a leadership role aboard a U.S. submarine.
• Experience as a Deputy Program Manager or Major Program Manager within Team Submarine.
• Senior executive experience at a primary submarine construction shipyard or major defense contractor supporting the SSBN enterprise.
• Extensive experience in submarine acquisition, requirements development, and capabilities analysis.

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $170,000.00/Yr. - USD $190,000.00/Yr.