Senior Prototyping & Experimentation Analyst

ARA; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Prototyping & Experimentation Analyst to support the Government’s DoW RDT&E and Prototyping Office.

The role requires a TS clearance with SCI and SAP eligibility and 10–12 years’ experience in classified operations effectiveness and acquisition systems analysis. The position involves technical assessments, laboratory test evaluations, and synthesis of findings to inform prototypes and demonstrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution.
• Top Secret security clearance with SCI and SAP eligibility.
• 10–12 years’ experience performing classified operations effectiveness and acquisition systems analysis.
• Experience supporting the development of defense acquisition system's performance measures, including system requirements definition, key performance parameters, and measures of performance and effectiveness.
• Experience support test and evaluation efforts.
• Experience producing high-quality technical documentation for complex systems, with an ability to synthesize data into clear and impactful summaries.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to technical assessments and program evaluations.
• Provide independent assessments of laboratory or experimental/prototype tests.
• Support scientific reviews to include in-depth expert feedback as to strengths and weaknesses of research and development programs/proposals.
• Provide technical expertise to research, analyze, and summarize findings of emerging technologies and advanced capabilities.
• Conduct quantitative analyses of technology/mission engineering/system engineering requirements as they pertain to development, prototyping, and insertion of advanced capabilities.
• Plan, coordinate, and assist with testing and engineering evaluation of demonstrations, experiments, and/or prototypes.
• Perform and deliver work with limited direction.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s or Ph.D.

Job description

The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Prototyping & Experimentation Analyst with a background supporting the Government in the execution of large technology programs. This position will support the Office of the Secretary of War Research & Engineering’s Prototyping & Experimentation Office. This work requires a candidate with a background in classified technical program or project management, acquisition, or analytical support of government Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) and the DoW Acquisition environment. This position is contingent upon award of a contract expected begin in August 2026.

Essential Functions

• Contribute to technical assessments and program evaluations
• Provide independent assessments of laboratory or experimental/prototype tests
• Support scientific reviews to include in-depth expert feedback as to the strengths and weaknesses of research and development programs/proposals
• Provide technical expertise to research, analyze, and summarize findings of emerging technologies and advanced capabilities
• Conduct quantitative analyses of technology/mission engineering/system engineering requirements as they pertain to the development, prototyping, and insertion of advanced capabilities
• Plan, coordinate, and assist with the testing and engineering evaluation of demonstrations, experiments, and/or prototypes.
• Perform and deliver work with limited direction

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution
• Top Secret security clearance with SCI and SAP eligibility
• 10-12 years’ experience performing classified operations effectiveness and acquisition systems analysis
• Experience supporting the development of defense acquisition system's performance measures, including system requirements definition, key performance parameters, and measures of performance and effectiveness
• Experience support test and evaluation efforts
• Experience producing high-quality technical documentation for complex systems, with an ability to synthesize data into clear and impactful summaries

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree from an accredited academic institution
• Experience writing for a DoW audience
• Experience supporting the Office of the Secretary of War supporting acquisition and R&D programs

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 generates 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.