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. Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

SPA’s International Defense Analytics Group (IDAG) provides timely and objective assessments to allies and partners of the U.S. to inform senior defence leader decisions. We combine military expertise with advanced analytic techniques to tackle our clients’ most challenging problems.  Significant current efforts are in support of the Australian Defence Force at both the Headquarters and individual military service chief level, delivering analysis and program support to inform major acquisition decisions and overall force design.

SPA has an immediate need for a Data Scientist. This full-time position is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and offers opportunities for international travel.

SPA’s International Defense Analytics Group seeks a passionate and experienced data scientist/analyst to join their growing team. The individual will provide support throughout all phases of requirements analysis and derivation on a collection of unique and challenging technical programs. Opportunity for overseas travel to Australia!

Key functions and responsibilities include:  1) Help define the expectation for new and evolving military capabilities, and assist with developing trade-space studies to evaluate such capabilities, 2) Work with stakeholders and Subject Matter Experts to contextualize systems and Concepts of Operations for modeling and analysis. Execute analysis and document findings in reports and briefs, 3) Present findings to senior SPA leadership and international clients, 4) Lead development of analytic methodologies and mathematical models.

Required Qualifications:

• Design and execute analytical methodologies leveraging modern tools accented with personal innovation
• Effectively communicate data and analytic related topics to technical and non-technical audiences
• Implement data exploration techniques, analytical methods, operations research, and modeling and simulation tools to support program execution
• Develop, deploy, manage, and document models and analytic methods
• Create software code to extract and transform data for use in analysis

Desired Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in math, physical or computer science, data science and analytics, information technology, or related STEM field
• DoD Secret Clearance and the ability to maintain it throughout employment