Senior Executive Administrative Assistant

ARA; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) seeks a proactive Senior Executive Administrative Assistant to support the Office of the Secretary of War in developing and applying cutting‑edge technology.

You will compile, prepare, and route technical documents and arrange travel from ARA facilities in the National Capital Region and via telecommuting when approved. This contingent position is expected to start in the fall of 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8-10 years of relevant experience OR 16+ years of experience in lieu of a degree of relevant experience providing administrative assistance to government agencies
• DoD SECRET clearance with willingness to apply for and obtain a TS clearance with SCI eligibility
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent verbal/written communications skills
• Experience passing clearances within the DoD and IC environments
• Good time management

Responsibilities

• Executive scheduling & calendar management
• Official travel coordination and use of the Defense Travel System (DTS) to facilitate personnel travel
• Documentation tracking, correspondence & information management
• Event, Meeting & Protocol Support
• Protocol & Office Administration
• Personnel Onboarding

Skills

DoD SECRET clearance

TS clearance with SCI eligibility

Microsoft Office

Verbal/written communications

Clearances DoD/IC

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

16+ years of experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Defense Travel Management System

Job description

The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a responsive, proactive Senior Executive Administrative Assistant to support the Office of the Secretary of War in the development and application of cutting‑edge technology. In this position the employee will assist in compiling and preparing and routing technical documents both inside the organization and to other agencies. The employee will also make all travel arrangements and will assist the company employees with any issues they may have. This position will support the Office of Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies on-site in the National Capital Region, from ARA facilities, and via telecommuting when approved.

This contingent position, expected to start in the fall of 2026.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8-10 years of relevant experience OR 16+ years of experience in lieu of a degree of relevant experience providing administrative assistance to government agencies
• DoD SECRET clearance with willingness to apply for and obtain a TS clearance with SCI eligibility
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent verbal/written communications skills
• Experience passing clearances within the DoD and IC environments
• Good time management

Preferred Qualifications:

• 30+ years of relevant experience providing administrative assistance to government agencies
• Hands‑on experience with the Defense Travel Management System

Essential Functions:

• Executive scheduling & calendar management
• Official travel coordination and use of the Defense Travel System (DTS) to facilitate personnel travel
• Documentation tracking, correspondence & information management
• Event, Meeting & Protocol Support
• Protocol & Office Administration
• Personnel Onboarding

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay Ranges: From $90,000.00 - $132,000.00 per year based on years of experience, degree and any special skills and knowledge that you may bring to the position. We mostly reserve the upper half of our compensation bands for internal growth. During all call with one of our recruiters or hiring managers, they can further clarify the salary range and total compensation. ARA offers competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee‑owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.