Senior Program Evaluation Specialist

Applied-Research-Associates,-Inc; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote with travel

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Program Evaluation Specialist to lead enterprise-level evaluations across DHS mission spaces, guiding evidence-based decision-making and policy impact.

You will shape learning agendas, evaluation plans, and performance indicators while ensuring methodological rigor and interagency collaboration. As a senior advisor, you will communicate findings to senior leadership and manage cross-directorate teams, balancing complex risks with

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading program or policy evaluations in science, technology, innovation, or national security.
• Must be a US citizen.
• Bachelor's degree with 8–10 years of experience.
• Mastery of evaluation methodologies and ability to tailor approaches to RDT&E environments.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic assessment skills.
• Demonstrated ability to guide executive decision-making using evidence and analysis.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Flexibility to know when other methods may be appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, enterprise-level evaluations of S&T portfolios and programs.
• Shape and refine Evidence Act requirements: learning agendas, evaluation plans, evidence inventories, capacity assessments.
• Provide strategic guidance on evaluation approaches for emerging technologies, prototypes and pilots.
• Advise senior leadership on evidence-based decisions, risks and trade-offs.
• Oversee development of evaluation frameworks, performance indicators, and long-term impact measures.
• Lead cross-directorate collaboration with DHS components, FFRDCs, laboratories, and interagency partners.
• Manage evaluation contractors and ensure methodological rigor and DHS compliance.
• Champion a culture of learning and continuous improvement across the Directorate.
• Communicate findings to senior stakeholders, including SES-level briefings and congressional/OMB materials.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Evidence-based decision making

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Strategic analysis

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

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Senior Program Evaluation Specialist

• Posted on October 29, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location

• Hybrid
• Scientific/Analytical
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: SENIO010207

Description

The Capabilities, Analysis and Development (CAD) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an outstanding opportunity for a Journeyman Program Evaluation Specialist to support a multi-disciplinary team providing data analysis, business intelligence, operations research, and decision support across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission space. As a Senior Evaluation Lead you will serve as a strategic advisor responsible for guiding DHS S&T's evidence-building strategy, leading complex evaluations of high-impact research and technology programs, and advising leadership on performance, effectiveness, and mission value. This role ensures S&T complies with the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act) and positions the Directorate to make high quality, data-driven decisions about research investments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead complex, enterprise-level evaluations of S&T research portfolios, technology transition programs, and innovation initiatives.
• Shape and refine S&T's Evidence Act requirements: learning agendas, evaluation plans, evidence inventories, and capacity assessments.
• Provide strategic guidance on evaluation approaches for emerging technologies, prototypes, operational experimentation, and pilot programs.
• Advise senior leadership on evidence-based decision-making, risks, and investment trade-offs.
• Oversee development of evaluation frameworks, performance indicators, and long-term impact measures.
• Lead cross-directorate collaboration with DHS components, FFRDCs, laboratories, and interagency partners.
• Manage evaluation contractors and ensure methodological rigor and compliance with DHS scientific integrity standards.
• Champion a culture of learning and continuous improvement across the Directorate.
• Communicate findings to senior stakeholders, including SES-level briefings and congressional or OMB-facing materials, as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive experience leading program or policy evaluations, ideally in science, technology, innovation, or national security domains.
• Must be a US citizen.
• Bachelors degree with 8-10 years of experience.
• Mastery of evaluation methodologies and ability to tailor approaches to RDT&E environments.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic assessment skills.
• Demonstrated ability to guide executive decision-making using evidence and analysis.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Flexibility to know when other methods may be appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree or PhD with 6-8 years of experience.
• Deep understanding of DHS mission needs, S&T's RDT&E processes, and federal evidence-building requirements.
• Experience shaping organization-wide evaluation strategies or frameworks.
• Graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in evaluation, social science, public policy, engineering management, or related fields.

Working Conditions:

• Work will be remote with occasional travel to client site and potential evaluation sites. Client offices are at DHS' St. Elizabeth campus in Washington, D.C.

Compensation & Benefits:Pay Ranges: From $120,000.00 - $160,000.00 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 1200 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 .

Thought Provoking : Capable of making others think deeply on a subject

Enthusiastic : Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Team Player : Works well as a member of a group

Innovative : Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Functional Expert : Considered a thought leader on a subject

Detail Oriented : Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Dedicated : Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Required

Self-Starter : Inspired to perform without outside help

Growth Opportunities : Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility

Goal Completion : Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

Entrepreneurial Spirit : Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business

Education

Required

Bachelors or better.

Preferred

Doctor of Philosophy or better.

Masters or better.

Experience

Required

8-10 years: Relevant work experienc

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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