USAF Force Modernization Senior Consultant

Kearney & Company; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid holidays & vacation

Job summary

Kearney & Company in Arlington, VA is seeking a senior-level defense analyst to support Air Force force modernization initiatives and executive decision-making.

You will analyze requirements, integrate capability development with budgeting processes, and prepare executive briefings and written reports for senior leaders. This role requires 8+ years of DoD experience and TS/SCI eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience supporting DoD, U.S. Air Force, or other federal defense organizations
• Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis to support executive decision-making
• Ability to translate complex operational and technical information into concise executive briefings and written reports
• Experience facilitating cross-functional collaboration among military, civilian, and contractor organizations
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and presentation skills
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Teams
• Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility required

Responsibilities

• Support Air Force leaders with force modernization analysis, requirements, resourcing, and integration
• Integrate operational mission requirements with future-focused force design and capability development
• Develop operational concepts, identify capability gaps, and analyze Air Force performance in the future operating environment
• Assist with development, assessment, and refinement of strategic concepts, frameworks, and implementation plans
• Support the SPPBE process, including POM development, issue analysis, prioritization, and resource integration
• Engage with senior DoD leaders and stakeholders to facilitate integrated planning efforts
• Support executive steering groups and IPTs on high-priority, time-sensitive issues
• Develop executive briefings, white papers, and decision-support materials for Air Force senior leaders
• Monitor evolving security strategies and policy changes impacting modernization initiatives
• Provide recommendations to improve alignment between requirements, development, acquisition, and budgeting
• Ensure all deliverables meet government standards, contractual requirements, and schedules

Skills

Qualitative analysis

Quantitative analysis

Executive briefing

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Teams

Job description

Responsibilities

• Supporting Air Force senior leaders and action officers with force modernization analysis, requirements, resourcing, and integration.
• Integrating operational mission requirements with future-focused force design and advanced capability development efforts.
• Developing operational concepts, identifying capability gaps, and analyzing Air Force performance in the future operating environment.
• Assisting with the development, assessment, and refinement of strategic concepts, operational frameworks, and implementation plans supporting force modernization.
• Supporting the Strategy, Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (SPPBE) process, including Program Objective Memorandum (POM) development, issue analysis, prioritization, and resource integration.
• Engaging with senior leaders from Department of the Air Force (DAF), major commands (MAJCOMs), combatant commands (CCMDs), and other Department of War (DoW) stakeholders to facilitate integrated planning efforts.
• Supporting executive steering groups, working groups, and integrated product teams tasked with working high priority, time sensitive issues for DAF senior leaders.
• Developing executive-level briefings, white papers, bullet background papers, decision support materials, and other documentation for Air Force senior leaders.
• Monitoring evolving security and defense strategies, emerging technologies, operational requirements, and policy changes impacting Air Force modernization initiatives.
• Providing recommendations that improve alignment between operational requirements, capability development, acquisition planning, resource allocation, and program execution.
• Ensuring all deliverables meet government quality standards, contractual requirements, and established project schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience supporting Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, other military services, or other federal defense organizations.
• Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis to support executive decision‑making.
• Ability to translate complex operational and technical information into concise executive briefings and written reports.
• Experience facilitating cross‑functional collaboration among military, civilian, and contractor organizations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Active Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility required

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Public Policy, National Security, Operations Research, Military Science, Systems Engineering, Political Science, National Security Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, Operations Research, or a related discipline.
• Direct experience supporting Headquarters Air Force (HAF), Air Staff A5/7, MAJCOM headquarters, Joint Staff, or the Office of the Secretary of War.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Air Force long‑term strategy, planning, force development, or force modernization initiatives.
• Working knowledge of the Department of Defense Strategic Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (SPPBE) process.
• Experience supporting Program Objective Memorandum (POM) development, program analysis, or resource planning activities.
• Understanding of Department of Defense operational missions, capability development, and strategic planning processes.
• Knowledge of Air Force design, integrated capability development, and strategic concept development processes.
• Experience integrating operational planning, capability development, acquisition, and resource management activities.
• Familiarity with the National Defense Strategy, Defense Planning Guidance, and DoD strategic planning frameworks.
• Experience supporting senior executive governance boards, capability portfolio reviews, or modernization decision forums.
• Background in defense acquisition, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, campaign analysis, or force structure analysis.
• Professional certifications such as DAWIA/Defense Acquisition Workforce, Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), or Lean Six Sigma.
• Experience supporting digital transformation, data analytics, or decision‑support initiatives within the Department of Defense.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, high‑visibility government consulting environment.
• Prior experience with science, technology, research, development, test, or evaluation for advanced military capabilities.
• Prior experience working with military special access programs (SAP) and in special access program facilities (SAPF) or sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIF).

Salary and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is between $93,000 and $180,000. This range represents base pay only and does not include straight‑time pay for hours worked over 40 per week, company contributions toward paid benefits, and/or bonuses. Actual compensation (meeting or exceeding the range) will be determined based on specific experience, education, work location, clearance level, and other factors permitted by law. This position is eligible for bonuses (when applicable).

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and 529 Education Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Account
• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity Insurances
• Legal Insurance and Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program, fitness and wellness benefits, and other firm benefits
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time

Work location is subject to change based on client requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity Notice

Kearney & Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, genetic information, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, any medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, disability, protected veteran status, relationship or association to a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulation.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, please call 703‑236‑2391 or email [e-mail]. Please be advised that this contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of an application.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

FMLA is designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities by allowing them to take reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. Kearney & Company provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job‑protected leave per year. Military family leave is available for up to 26 weeks under FMLA.

Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

The EPPA prohibits most private employers from using lie detector tests either for pre‑employment screening or during the course of employment. Kearney & Company adheres to all provisions of the EPPA.