Undersea Warfare Analyst

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.  

SPA’s Sea Land Air (SLA) Division supports a diverse portfolio of national security government clients, including the Undersea Enterprise, the Navy Surface Community, the Navy MPTE Enterprise, the Air Force, Army, DoD Agencies, DARPA, international clients including the Canadian Navy and Australian Defence Force.  Our primary objective is to provide timely, objective and analytic assessments that integrate the policy, operational, technical, programmatic and acquisition aspects of our clients’ challenges.

Leveraging both in-domain and cross-domain expertise to maximize our clients’ success, SLA Division acts as trusted agents to senior decision-makers and key leaders and excels at providing data driven analytic insights, systems engineering, strategies and plans that address current and emerging challenges to national security.

The Undersea Technology Analysis Group (UTAG), within the Sea, Land, & Air Division in SPA, conducts rigorous and objective analyses to enable the Navy and other DoD organizations to make decisions, plans, and strategies to deliver emerging undersea technologies and warfighting capabilities.  We support clients across the undersea and naval special warfare enterprises, including those within resourcing and requirements (OPNAV N97), acquisition (program offices for undersea technologies and naval special warfare), and science and technology (Office of Naval Research, DARPA)  Our enduring capabilities include:

• Identifying capability gaps, developing requirements, and generating solutions
• Assessing the operational utility and technical feasibility of new technologies
• Execution of acquisition and technology development programs, including developing plans and roadmaps to mature, deliver, and sustain new technologies
• Analysis of vulnerabilities and threats to undersea platforms and systems
• Quantitative analysis and modeling of undersea forces and their missions

SPA has a need for a passionate and dedicated analyst focused on national security issues relating to the Navy's Undersea Warfare capabilities and responsibilities, including missions, platforms, payloads, and people.

SPA is seeking a well-rounded analyst to support studies across several major undersea warfare clients, spanning across a variety of operational and technical topics.  SPA uses a wide range of analytical approaches to find rigorous and objective answers to our clients’ most difficult national security problems.  The candidate will be part of a team of analysts responsible for shaping undersea warfare investments; assessing undersea operations, security, and survivability; and developing plans to mature, deliver, and sustain new undersea technologies.  The candidate will contribute to thoughtful and meaningful recommendations to SPA’s clients that reflect the range of operational and technical factors needed to make informed decisions, including development and presentation of briefings, papers, and analytical results in support of decision-making. 

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline or other relevant field (such as national security studies, political science, or military history).  A Master's degree is highly desirable.
• At least 5 years of professional experience that demonstrate proficiency in analysis, undersea warfare, advanced technology, or other relevant topics.  Previous experience as a submarine officer is desirable.
• Demonstrated strong skill sets in research, writing, critical thinking, and analysis.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), including the ability to summarize and communicate complex ideas and analytical findings to a variety of audiences.
• US Citizen with the ability to obtain and retain DoD Secret security clearance.  Top Secret clearance is highly desirable.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience analyzing metrics and conducting operational or technical risk assessments or root cause analysis, especially in the areas of undersea warfare.
• Experience directly interacting with, briefing, and advising DoD or armed service decision makers.
• Demonstrated familiarity with operations analysis, modeling and simulation, or other advanced analytical techniques.