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.  

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future. 

We have an immediate need for a Program Analyst/ELSI SETA to support DARPA's ELSI team onsite in Arlington, VA.

The candidate will support existing DARPA research programs in designing and establishing program-focused ELSI components or activities. DARPA’s Ethical Legal Societal Implications (ELSI) Team fosters research on ethical, legal, and societal implications for development of emerging technologies across all DARPA Technical Offices. Will work across diverse program topics, engaging with multiple technical offices to support research in a multitude of technical, policy, social science, and other areas to create and refine ELSI activities at DARPA. Apply familiarity with one or more DoD and DARPA policy domains (such as DoD policy governing Autonomous Weapons Systems; Biomanufacturing; Space manufacturing and development; AI/ML; Cyber operations; Modeling and Simulation). Duties may include researching and reviewing policy and ELSI materials related to programs, brainstorming on workshop agendas and workshop attendees, and operating as a liaison between DARPA Program Managers with similar ELSI components.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of experience, preferably in an R&D or S&T environment  
• Experience working on R&D or S&T portfolios
• Active Secret clearance
• Experience organizing workshops, working groups, or advisory panels
• Demonstrated creativity, foresight, professionalism, and mature judgement in anticipating and solving financial, business, administrative, or program management problems

• Demonstrated proficiency using modern PC techniques, systems, and tool such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Project, Excel, SharePoint, and O365

• Team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to multi-task and (re)prioritize on a continuous basis

Desired:

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Master's degree
• Expertise in at least one of the 14 DoD critical technology areas
• Knowledge of DoD organizational structure and processes
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar certification