SPA is seeking a great candidate to provide direct support and input to OPNAV N97 and partner organizations (such as the Fleet, NAVSEA, ONR, DARPA, UWDC, etc).  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 identifying desired force structure and capabilities for future undersea forces.  The candidate will contribute to mature 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. 

As a Contracts Consultant at SPA, you will be assigned to support the US Space Force’s Space Systems Command, Operational Command and Control Acquisition Delta, known as Kobayashi Maru (KM). Kobayashi Maru is responsible for continuously delivering impactful software for space operations. The program office’s mission includes the development and deployment of software for space defense, space domain awareness, and enabling data services.  You will be responsible for enabling successful contract planning and execution for current and future acquisitions within the Program Office. The primary purpose of this position is to provide expert professional business advice and support regarding complex FAR and non-FAR based contracts and assistance instruments to acquisition teams comprised of senior requirements and contracting organization officials during all phases of the acquisition cycle.  The key duties associated with this role include but are not limited to the following: - Design and implement acquisition strategies to transform Defense culture and contracting to match the cadence required for rapid software delivery. - Spearhead mission critical Defense acquisitions by authoring requirements, developing acquisition strategies, conducting market research, participating in source selections as an advisor, helping establish contracting mechanisms to further mission operations, authoring supporting documentation, conducting stakeholder interviews, engaging with senior executives, presenting findings, and implementing solutions. - Mentor and train all members of the organization in effective and efficient Defense acquisition and contracting concepts, principles, and best practices. - Become the conduit responsible for establishing synergies between the technical experts, project officers, and various support staff. - Remove blockers for current acquisitions delayed by inefficient processes and implement improvements to prevent issues from materializing in future acquisitions. - Assist the Government’s multi-functional team in developing sound acquisition planning and perform critical guidance in the development of pre-award and post-award documentation for a variety of complex contracts involving complex, high monetary value, long-term acquisition for systems, subsystems, equipment, support, services and or related Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDTE), advanced demonstrations and prototypes. - Ensure that the Government team follows all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. This is a hybrid position. You will be expected to work on-site with the Government customer at an off-Base location in El Segundo, CA at least 2 days per week due to the fast pace, quick-turn nature of the job and the persistent need to access secure networks. You should reside within a comfortable driving distance to El Segundo, CA.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide advanced analytical support to SPA customers in the national security and homeland defense mission spaces, applying rational, systematic, science-based techniques, and critical thinking to help inform and improve decision-making. Candidates will be expected to apply principles of mathematics and statistics, computer science, software development, and the latest technologies to design and implement an analytical infrastructure and tools, workflow processes, and complex data visualizations. The candidate may be required to, design and execute analytical methodologies leveraging modern tools accented with personal innovation, use a variety of analytic tools and techniques to evaluate data and recommend actions to overcome challenges. Effectively communicate data and analytic related topics to technical and non-technical audiences. Develop or adopt data standards and frameworks to collect, integrate and link, and manage data. 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. Develop automated analytic algorithms to assist with data management. Develop plans of action and timetables in order to meet established deadlines.

The Program Analyst - Acquisitions SME will provide analytic and management decision support directly to senior Navy leadership for undersea platform acquisition activities, focusing on the new SSN-X program and execution of early DoD 5000 milestones. The Analyst should expect to perform detailed analysis, provide executive level decision support, brief senior leaders frequently and be a key member of a high profile team.  This position is seated in Washington, DC (Washington Navy Yard) with opportunity for light telework.

Development and definition of computer systems and software to include Safety Critical Functions and thread analysis. Apply knowledge and application of Mil-Hdk-516 Section 15 Software airworthiness principles. Definition and development of open mission systems architecture standards; Identification of weapon system cyber (IA) boundaries and definition and approval of security controls for each boundary consistent with the Intelligence Community Directive 503 Risk Management Framework. Development and coordination of comprehensive weapon system interoperability exchange requirements. Manage the development of state-of-the-art, secure, resilient, interoperable, and scalable ground-support system networks. Establishing, building, fielding, and sustaining secure, trusted, core processing architectures and networks to include: expert knowledge of managing the development of state-of-the-art, secure, resilient, interoperable and scalable ground-support system networks. Support development and review of the full range of documentation and products required by DoDI 5000.02. Assist with execution of the USAF Airworthiness process per MIL-HDBK-516 and the AF Life-Cycle Systems Engineering (LCSE) and Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) processes as prescribed by AFMCI 63-1201. Support implementation of Air Force Integrity Programs. Support requirements development, allocation, and verification. Review and evaluation of weapon system design, analyses, and verification documentation and reports. Gather and develop technical and business data necessary to build and, as required, present program briefs. Support program meetings, working groups, and technical and business reviews as needed. Analyze equipment and software performance deficiencies and make recommendations for corrective actions. Support development of contract and documentation changes and updates. Support source selections in a technical advisory role as requested.

Accomplish a full range of new and ongoing acquisition test management tasks to include: managing and executing all program test activities, including the planning, execution, and reporting of test projects, on behalf of the program office. Updating and managing all program office test documentation, including test plans, test priorities, test schedules, test memorandums, and test reports. Assisting in coordinating test planning working groups, logistical requirements, program office delegations, technical interchanges, and day-to-day interactions between the program office and supporting test, intelligence, and technology organizations. Applying systems engineering, test engineering and test operations expertise to projects and program challenges, and advising project leads and project engineers on all matters of test engineering as it applies to highly technical program office efforts. Supporting the Program Director at executive levels within the government and other contractor organizations, including major program reviews, inspections, conferences, and other program evaluations and major milestone events. Managing interactions and cultivating relationships between the program office, supporting government offices, other contractors, and higher headquarters mid to upper level staff. Apply experience and capability to support assigned program test management tasks and lead support personnel in these tasks.

Support development and review of the full range of documentation and products required by DoDI 5000.0. Assist with execution of the USAF Airworthiness process per MIL-HDBK-516 and the AF Life-Cycle Systems Engineering (LCSE) and Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) processes as prescribed by AFMCI 63-1201. Support implementation of Air Force Integrity Programs. Support requirements development, allocation, and verification. Support review and evaluation of weapon system design, analyses, and verification documentation and reports. Gather and develop technical and business data necessary to build and, as required, present program briefs. Support program meetings, working groups, and technical and business reviews. Analyze equipment and software performance deficiencies and make recommendations for corrective action. Support development of contract and documentation changes and update. Support source selections in a technical advisory role. Apply knowledge and experience in engineering principles, criteria, and procedures to Air Force systems, subsystems, and equipment procurement activities, post award project/program management tasks, and acquisition programs throughout their life cycles. Provide products and services as described below in execution of its engineering support mission.

Support development and review of the full range of documentation and products required by DoDI 5000.02. Assist with execution of the USAF Airworthiness process per MIL-HDBK-516 and the AF Life-Cycle Systems Engineering (LCSE) and Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) processes as prescribed by AFMCI 63-1201. Support implementation of Air Force Integrity Programs. Support requirements development, allocation, and verification. Support review and evaluation of weapon system design, analyses, and verification documentation and reports. Gather and develop technical and business data necessary to build and, as required, present program briefs. Support program meetings, working groups, and technical and business reviews. Analyze equipment and software performance deficiencies and make recommendations for corrective actions. Support development of contract and documentation changes and updates. Support source selections in a technical advisory role as requested. Apply Information Assurance knowledge and experience on ACAT I or equivalent aircraft development programs to include: evaluation of system security and information assurance requirements consistent with the Director of Central Intelligence Directive (DCID) 6/3, Joint Air Force, Army, Navy (JAFAN) 6/3, Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 503, Committee for National Security Systems (CNSS) Instruction 1253, Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 8510.01, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-53. Reviewing, analyzing, and assessing aircraft systems configurations/architectures to identify security, safety, and mission-critical functions/components and critical program information (CPI). Development of system security and information assurance documentation consistent with: the standards above to support system certification and accreditation. Analyzing and identifying system, subsystem, and component vulnerabilities to determine applicable controls, testing, and other potential information assurance solutions and safeguards consistent with the NIST 800-53 Risk Management Framework.

Support development and review of the full range of documentation and products required by DoDI 5000.02. Assist with execution of the USAF Airworthiness process and the AF Life-Cycle Systems Engineering (LCSE) and Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) processes. Support implementation of Air Force Integrity Programs. Conduct review and evaluation of weapon system design, analyses, and verification documentation and reports. Gather and develop technical and business data necessary to build and, as required, present program briefs. Participate with program meetings, working groups, and technical and business reviews as needed. Analyze equipment and software performance deficiencies and make recommendations for corrective actions. Support development of contract and documentation changes and updates. Act as technical advisor for source selections as needed.

Performs technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems. Analyses are performed at all levels of total system product to include: concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal. Ensures the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Performs functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications. This person will provide systems engineering process expertise to develop requirements analysis, system design process, system integration, requirements verification / validation, and Development Test / Operational Test (DT/OT) processes; provide technical management of DoD contractors and be capable of managing the technical execution and evaluation of DoD systems, subsystems, and components during development; evaluate technical proposals in order to provide advice on the evaluation of technical proposals; plan, program, coordinate, and control the technical executions of engineering functions to meet program requirements.

Knowledge and experience in configuration control, data management, and deficiency reporting for an ACAT I equivalent weapon system program from technology development through the final disposition of the weapon system. Configuration control experience managing program documentation, program records, program history, meeting minutes and action items, proposals, deviations, and waivers. Experience and knowledge in preparing for and executing program technical reviews and functional and physical configuration audits. Experience organizing and operating Configuration Control Boards and Business Management Boards or their equivalents. Experience with configuration status accounting databases contractor data substantiation. Knowledge and experience; in preparing, reviewing, and obtaining approval of contract data requirements lists and requests for nomenclature and Computer Program Identification Numbers. Knowledge and understanding of all aspects of applicable commercial, DoD 5000.02, and associated USAF configuration management/data management (CM/DM) processes and policies across the weapon system lifecycle. Assist in planning, execution, and participation in program design reviews, technical meetings, and working groups as applicable to provide configuration management perspectives and resolve any configuration management issues. Support the analyses of the impacts of the configuration management change process on lifecycle sustainment. Participate in government and industry teams to resolve program configuration management issues. Support development and coordination of program configuration and data management requirements. Support program data management tasks to include creating and maintaining Engineering Data Management Plans and Engineering Data Activity Files as well as planning and executing Engineering Data Guidance Conferences and In-Process Reviews (IPRs) of engineering drawings. Development and review of configuration control and data management relevant requirements and products. Support all aspects of the deficiency reporting, management, and closure across the weapon system lifecycle.

Assist with managing the quality review and stand up of manufacturing capability in the Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase, as well as the Production phase, on an ACAT I or equivalent development program including: assisting program offices with implementing and executing transition from EMD to Production phase; supporting manufacturing readiness assessments per the DoD Manufacturing Readiness Level Guide; providing government oversight of prime contractor and subcontractor manufacturing teams; maturing and transitioning lab manufacturing technology developments to a manufacturing assembly line; and evaluation of bonded composite manufacturing techniques, testing, and inspections.Develop and coordinate DoD 5000.02 acquisition milestone plans and associated reporting documentation for one or more ACAT I and/or ACAT II (or equivalent) acquisition programs. Apply experience preparing documentation, presentation materials, and staff packages to support acquisition milestone coordination and decisions. Apply knowledge of the acquisition objectives consistent with the DoD 5000.02 policies and procedures. Accomplish a full range of acquisition program management tasks in support of AFLCMC/WB procurement, financial management and planning, systems engineering, test, production, security, contracting, and logistics for existing and future programs across the weapon system lifecycle. Assist with the development and maintenance of all manner of program documentation. Support the review of proposals. Support as a non-voting advisory role for program source selections. Support coordination of documentation between functional organizations inside and outside AFLCMC/WB. Support program milestone planning and preparation. Support risk management and process improvement. Support meetings internal and external to AFLCMC/WB. Support evaluation and communication of program progress in writing, in briefings, and in discussions with AFLCMC/WB Program Office and higher management. Develop and coordinate responses to taskers in response to internal and external program inquiries.

The candidate will support the analysis and management of risks, schedules, priorities, and processes for SSP's strategic deterrent programs. The candidate will be responsible for developing SSP's data management processes and priorities while collaborating with other SSP support organizations. In addition, the Program Analyst will present results to peers and senior leadership within client and partner organizations. The Program Analyst will spend the majority of their time at SPA HQ in Alexandria. 

Provide support of the acquisition, development, or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and support equipment. Review Engineering Change Proposals (ECP), Requests for Deviation (RFD), and maintain system configuration baselines. Assist in performing Failure Analysis and the production of economical solutions to improve System Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability. Support weapons systems lifecycle analysis of alternatives, creation of investment strategies, design, manufacturing, development, support and end-of-life processes. Develop and review the overall system design baseline (architecture and interoperability requirements). Assist with developmental planning support in evaluation of the military mission to be accomplished and related requirements documentation; define the set of military missions to be performed and the circumstances under which the mission will be performed. Support technical meetings, technical interchanges, system requirement reviews, design reviews, and test readiness reviews.

Provide support of the acquisition, development, or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and support equipment. Provide technical assistance to the IPTs as it relates to Operational Safety, Suitability, & Effectiveness (OSS&E). Review Engineering Change Proposals (ECP), Requests for Deviation (RFD), and maintain system configuration baselines. Participate in Technology Insertion discussions, Configuration Control Boards (CCB), and Technical & Programmatic Reviews. Assist in performing Failure Analysis and the production of economical solutions to improve System Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability. Support weapons systems lifecycle analysis of alternatives, creation of investment strategies, design, manufacturing, development, support and end-of-life processes. Apply an understanding of DoD, AF and common engineering and scientific principles, criteria and procedures to improve planned and existing AF and joint service weapon system manufacture, operations, re-manufacture and de-militarization operations and oversight.

Provide support of the acquisition, development, or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and support equipment. Provide technical assistance to the IPTs as it relates to Operational Safety, Suitability, & Effectiveness (OSS&E). Review Engineering Change Proposals (ECP), Requests for Deviation (RFD), and maintain system configuration baselines. Support weapons systems lifecycle analysis of alternatives, creation of investment strategies, design, manufacturing, development, support and end-of-life processes. Develop and review the overall system design baseline (architecture and interoperability requirements). Assist in the translation of user requirements into system requirements, which will be used to design, develop, fabricate, test and evaluate systems, subsystem and equipment for deployment. Assist in the performance of technical/mission analyses of existing and potential operational requirements. Assist with developmental planning support in evaluation of the military mission to be accomplished and related requirements documentation; define the set of military missions to be performed and the circumstances under which the mission will be performed. Provide support for the design, development, production, procurement, and testing of aircrew and maintenance training systems. 

Provide support of the acquisition, development, or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and support equipment. Provide technical assistance to the IPTs as it relates to Operational Safety, Suitability, & Effectiveness (OSS&E). Review Engineering Change Proposals (ECP), Requests for Deviation (RFD), and maintain system configuration baselines. Participate in Technology Insertion discussions, Configuration Control Boards (CCB), and Technical & Programmatic Reviews. Assist in performing Failure Analysis and the production of economical solutions to improve System Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability. Support weapons systems lifecycle analysis of alternatives, creation of investment strategies, design, manufacturing, development, support and end-of-life processes. Assist in the translation of user requirements into system requirements, which will be used to design, develop, fabricate, test and evaluate systems, subsystem and equipment for deployment. Assist in providing systems/subsystems integration support for the acquisition, development and verification of systems and equipment. Assist in the performance of technical planning, systems integration, verification and validation, cost and risk analysis, and supportability and effectiveness analysis for overall systems, subsystems, and support equipment to include integration of Mission Support Equipment (MSE). 

Provide support to the acquisition, development, or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and support equipment. Provide technical assistance to the IPTs as it relates to Operational Safety, Suitability, & Effectiveness (OSS&E). Review Engineering Change Proposals (ECP), Requests for Deviation (RFD), and maintain system configuration baselines. Participate in Technology Insertion discussions, Configuration Control Boards (CCB), and Technical & Programmatic Reviews. Assist in performing Failure Analysis and the production of economical solutions to improve System Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability. Apply an understanding of DoD, AF and common engineering and scientific principles, criteria and procedures to improve planned and existing AF and joint service weapon system manufacture, operations, re-manufacture and de-militarization operations and oversight. Develop and review the overall system design baseline (architecture and interoperability requirements).

Assist in ensuring implementation of DoD, USAF and MAJCOM policies and update local processes and procedures necessary to support day-to-day operations. Provide assistance in developing, modifying, reviewing, and coordinating IT Categorization Determination packages, Information Assurance Strategies (IASs), Information Assurance Plans (IAPs), PPPs, SSPs, Information Assurance Assessments, System Assessments, Interconnection Security Agreements (ISAs), Verification and Validation testing, Development and Design, requirements identification, Baseline Control selection, Applicability Assessments, Mitigation Strategies, Milestone Requirements Assessments, Configuration Management reviews, Continuous Monitoring, IA Liaison functions between the Developer, User Community and Program Management, leading the IA Integrated Process Team (IAIPT). Apply working knowledge of telecommunications concepts and principles, operating modes, systems, media, equipment, equipment configuration, and related software systems, processes and procedures to assess and advise on vulnerability to attack from a variety of sources (e.g., espionage, disruption of services, destructive programs/applications) and procedures and methods for protection of systems and applications. Use standard or conventional approaches, methods and techniques to assist in defining, planning, organizing, designing, developing, modifying, testing and integrating database or data processing systems, computer hardware systems and simulation models. Assist with monitoring information system activities to ensure system integrity; establishing reaction and maintenance control for the facility; and assist in performing system access or revocation tasks. Report system security incidents, classified message incidents, vulnerabilities, and virus attacks IAW AFSSI 5021. Shall be DoD 8570 - IAM II compliant (No waivers).  

Executive Assistants will directly support Sentinel Air Force Senior Leaders at Hill AFB, UT. EAs will work with a highly skilled team, providing critical, direct customer support and expertise. This position will perform a variety of administrative and clerical tasks, data collection, data management, measuring/monitoring performance, schedule management, planning, updating government systems, and reporting program status internally to program management. Duties and responsibilities may include: - Develop, prepare, and coordinate reports, information papers, and organizational briefings.- Assist in coordinating, consolidating, analyzing, distributing, and monitoring action items, and tracking suspenses and responses.- Prepare agendas, schedule meetings, maintain calendars, and conference room schedules.- Assist with development and implementation of program schedules and project plans.- Use government travel systems to ensure travel is efficiently scheduled.- Plan and execute organizational activities for both internal and external agencies.- Determine customer requirements and translate these requirements into organizational plans.