Senior Operations Analyst - Defense Analytics DARPA

chimera; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

chimera is seeking a Senior Operations Research Analyst to lead advanced analytics in support of R&D transition and process improvement. You will conduct complex analyses to provide decision-making insights for high-impact defense research.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least 6 years of operations research experience. Candidates must have an active Top Secret security clearance and strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• At least 6 years of operations research or equivalent analytical experience.
• Demonstrated ability to gather information and apply analytical methods.
• Experience organizing meetings and tracking milestones.

Responsibilities

• Conduct sophisticated analyses to support R&D transition.
• Evaluate portfolio-level schedule, cost, and risk trade-offs.
• Analyze acquisition and program lifecycle data for insights.

Skills

Advanced analytical and modeling capabilities

Strong communication skills

Leadership of analytic efforts

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, sciences, mathematics, or a related technical field

Job description

Job Summary

We are recruiting Senior Operations Research Analysts as Key Personnel to lead advanced analytics in support of R&D transition, portfolio risk assessment, and process improvement within a high‑impact defense research environment.

Key Responsibilities (Narrative)

In this role, you will conduct sophisticated analyses to support the transition of research and development efforts into operational use. You will examine potential transition pathways, identify opportunities and obstacles, and develop quantitative assessments that help decision‑makers understand the relative merits of different options. Your work will include analyzing partner requirements, program performance, and broader strategic factors to inform transition planning.

You will also evaluate portfolio‑level schedule, cost, and risk trade‑offs, helping leadership prioritize efforts and allocate resources. This may include building models, running scenarios, and synthesizing results into clear, decision‑focused products. Your analysis will support both ongoing and planned programs, giving leaders a forward‑looking view of risk and opportunity.

In addition, you will analyze acquisition and program lifecycle data to identify systemic delays, recurring issues, or other patterns that warrant attention. You will help translate these insights into practical recommendations for process improvements. Throughout, you will work closely with program managers, financial analysts, acquisition staff, and other analysts to integrate financial, schedule, and operational data into cohesive decision‑support products tailored for senior audiences.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, sciences, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Experience:
  • At least 6 years of operations research or equivalent analytical experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to gather information, construct mathematical or statistical models, and apply analytical methods to complex systems.
  • Experience organizing meetings, coordinating across stakeholders, and tracking technical and financial milestones.
• Security Clearance:
  • Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required.
• Skills:
  • Advanced analytical and modeling capabilities.
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to brief senior‑level audiences and write clear, concise analytic reports.
  • Proven ability to lead analytic efforts and coordinate across technical, business, and operational stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting DARPA or similar joint/interagency R&D portfolios.
• Familiarity with defense acquisition, transition frameworks, and operational planning.