Senior Operations Analyst - Defense Analytics DARPA

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.

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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, sciences, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• 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.
• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required.
• 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.