SME Operations Research Analyst (TS/SCI)

Socket.dev; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

PTO

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Military leave

Jury duty leave

Job summary

Delta Solutions & Strategies seeks an SME Operations Research Analyst to support the Space Force SSC Space Sensing at Los Angeles AFB, El Segundo, CA. You will lead modeling, simulation, mission analyses, and wargaming for space sensing initiatives.

The ideal candidate is an expert in DoD/national security space with strong briefing skills and ability to influence technical direction for senior stakeholders. On-site support and SCI-eligible TS clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Experience as SME in DoD or national security space.
• Proven ability to apply quantitative methods to complex systems.
• Ability to document assumptions, methodology, results, and recommendations.
• Experience developing or using models for decision support.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject-matter authority for the assigned functional area and advise Government technical or program leadership on high-complexity issues.
• Shape technical approaches, strategies, processes, and decision products and lead the most complex reviews or analyses.
• Represent the functional area in senior-level technical forums, working groups, and cross-organizational coordination as required.
• Plan and conduct modeling, simulation, and analysis in support of architecture, concept development, technology development, mission planning, and military utility studies.
• Apply analytical methods including equation-based, numerical, statistical, or other modeling techniques as directed.
• Define analytical problems, data requirements, and document the design of research.
• Develop, maintain, and validate Government or commercial models and simulations used for Space Sensing analysis.
• Support verification and validation, documentation, and distribution of analytical tools.
• Assess exercises, wargames, and tests and provide analysis of outcomes.
• Conduct mission planning, trade studies, concept analyses, architecture assessments, and data exploitation or mission performance analyses.
• Evaluate results, identify trends or gaps, and develop recommendations for Government decisions.
• Prepare analytical reports, technical briefings, study products, and training materials.

Skills

Operations research

Modeling & simulation

Wargaming

Quantitative analysis

Technical writing

Briefing senior stakeholders

Data interpretation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Analytical software

Job description

Delta Solutions & Strategies is seeking a SME Operations Research Analyst to support United States Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Sensing (SN) activities in Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California.

This position will provide modeling, simulation, analysis, design of research, mission analysis, wargaming, and quantitative decision support for Space Sensing. The selected candidate will serve as a subject-matter authority, shape technical approaches and decision products, lead the most complex analyses or reviews, and advise Government technical or program leadership on high-impact issues.

The ideal candidate will be a recognized expert in the functional area with deep Department of Defense or national security space experience and the ability to influence technical direction, resolve difficult problems, and brief senior stakeholders.

*Anticipated award/start date September 28, 2026

What you will be doing:

• Serve as a subject-matter authority for the assigned functional area and advise Government technical or program leadership on high-complexity issues.
• Shape technical approaches, strategies, processes, and decision products and lead the most complex reviews or analyses.
• Represent the functional area in senior-level technical forums, working groups, and cross-organizational coordination as required.
• Plan and conduct modeling, simulation, and analysis in support of architecture, concept development, technology development, mission planning, and military utility studies.
• Apply appropriate analytical methods, including equation-based, numerical, statistical, or other modeling and simulation techniques, as directed by Government study leads.
• Define analytical problems, assumptions, limitations, constraints, measures, methods, and data requirements and document the design of research.
• Develop, maintain, enhance, assess, and validate Government or commercial models and simulations used for Space Sensing analysis.
• Support verification and validation, configuration control, model documentation, beta testing, user coordination, and distribution of analytical tools.
• Assess exercises, wargames, developmental and operational tests, demonstrations, and contingency operations and provide analysis of outcomes.
• Conduct mission planning, trade studies, concept analyses, architecture assessments, and data exploitation or mission performance analyses.
• Evaluate results, identify trends or gaps, and develop recommendations to support Government decisions.
• Prepare analytical reports, technical briefings, study products, documentation, and training materials.

What you will need:

• Professional experience and technical depth commensurate with a Subject Matter Expert-level role in the applicable functional area.
• Relevant operations research, modeling and simulation, quantitative analysis, mission analysis, systems analysis, or related experience commensurate with the position level.
• Experience applying quantitative or analytical methods to complex technical, operational, or mission problems.
• Experience documenting assumptions, limitations, methodology, analytical results, and recommendations.
• Ability to develop, assess, validate, or use models and simulations for decision support.
• Strong analytical, research, technical writing, data interpretation, and briefing skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Government, FFRDC, engineering, operational, and contractor stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using technical analysis or modeling tools.
• Ability to work on site in Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California and support in-person Government meetings and mission activities as required.
• Ability to support CONUS and OCONUS travel when required by the Government.
• Ability to work with sensitive and classified information, Government systems, controlled-access facilities, and Government-furnished equipment in accordance with contract requirements.
• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility required.

Desired Skills/Experience:

• Experience supporting United States Space Force, Space Systems Command, or Department of Defense space mission analysis.
• Experience with space mission planning, architecture analysis, wargaming, test analysis, or military utility studies.
• Experience with model verification and validation, configuration control, or model documentation.
• Familiarity with Government or commercial modeling and simulation environments used for space or defense analysis.
• Experience developing or delivering analyst training or repeatable analytical processes.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a technical or functional authority on complex Department of Defense programs.
• Experience advising senior Government leaders, shaping technical approaches, and leading high-visibility reviews or analyses.

Delta Solutions & Strategies offers a generous benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), PTO, paid holidays, parental, military and jury duty paid leaves.

In compliance with California’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the salary range for this position is $145,000-$165,000. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Delta Solutions & Strategies considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices based on race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring, and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items. EEO/AAP, M, F, V, D.