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.  

Strategic Systems Analysis Group (SSAG) provides multiple organizations within the Department of Defense with timely and objective assessments and recommendations that integrate technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis.  We focus on key clients in the undersea community including Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP).  We work to provide integrated solutions based on information and communications throughout the chain of command to ensure clear and consistent analysis and recommendations that are aligned to strategic and leadership goals while still being executable by the working level technical communities.

SPA has a need for a part-time Operations Research Analyst with U.S. Navy SSBN operations and scheduling experience who can work on high-visibility or mission critical aspects of programs, perform all functional duties independently, and oversee the efforts of less senior staff and/or be responsible for the efforts of all staff assigned to a specific job.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide relevant, objective, timely, and clear analytical support to SSAG customers to help them make better decisions.  The candidate will be able to work collaboratively to formulate problems, propose solution methods, conduct analysis, and communicate results to the customer.  The candidate may perform validation and verification to evaluate other performers’ work and ensure accuracy.

The candidate will understand several models and techniques used in the field of Operations Research, their underlying theory and concepts, and be able to recognize situations when they may be applicable.  A candidate will not know everything but has an inquisitive mind, desire to broaden their skills, and is open to new, challenging problems that may stretch them to achieve success.  They will be able to work with autonomy and tenacity to complete tasks and support others when needed.

Tasks include, but are not limited to:  

• Develop and apply operations research techniques such as mathematical optimization, simulation, decision analysis, and statistical analysis.
• Decompose complex issues into simplified problem statements and clearly and explicitly connect analysis to specific aspects of the problem.
• Conduct analyses involving operational and maintenance trends and scheduling in support of Navy submarine fleet operations.
• Develop and maintain tools and models to support analytic projects and processes.
• Create data visualizations in support of decision analysis, model verification, and client communication.
• Assist in the development of briefings, memos, and Contract Deliverables.

Required Qualifications:

• Must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. US Citizen and Eligibility for TOP SECRET security clearance required.
• Master’s Degree in Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics, Data Science, or a related technical discipline with proficiency with mathematical optimization and simulation.
• Experience with Python, R, or a similar programming language.
• Experience using repeatable, transparent analytical processes from problem formulation to solution.
• Experience with SSBN operations and scheduling.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience with schedule-related optimization models such as job shop, assignment, time-space network flows, etc.
• Experience in statistics, applied probability theory, simulation methods.
• Experience with Atlassian tools including JIRA, Confluence, and Bitbucket.
• Expertise in data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI that can integrate disparate data sources into visualizations that aid analysis and decision making.