Joint and Land Operations Analyst

Systems Planning And Analysis - Alexandria, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

Alexandria, VA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) is seeking a Joint and Land Operations Analyst to join our Sea Land Air (SLA) Division. This full-time position is based in Alexandria, VA, and offers a competitive salary range of $84.1K - $106K per year. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in supporting the Joint and Land Operations program, specifically advising the Australian Army. The position involves leading analytic projects that focus on mission-informed research to assess enabling technologies for military capabilities. The analyst will be responsible for providing meaningful insights and recommendations that will inform operational concepts and investment decisions for the future force of the Australian Army. The SLA Division is dedicated to delivering timely, objective, and analytic assessments that integrate various aspects of our clients' challenges, including policy, operational, technical, programmatic, and acquisition elements. The role requires a collaborative approach, working closely with a talented team to produce results that matter. The analyst will leverage both in-domain and cross-domain expertise to maximize client success and act as a trusted agent to senior decision-makers and key leaders. This position also involves significant interaction with the International Defense Analytics Group (IDAG), which provides assessments to allies and partners of the U.S., particularly in support of the Australian Defence Force. Candidates should possess a strong background in military operations and advanced analytic techniques, as well as experience in assessing enabling technologies such as robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence. The role demands a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to communicate effectively with senior military officials. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of military operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theater, and be knowledgeable about emerging operational concepts and capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytic projects in support of the Joint and Land Operations program advising the Australian Army.
• Conduct mission-informed research to assess enabling technology for military capability.
• Provide meaningful advice to inform operational concepts and investment decisions for the Australian Army's future force.
• Manage analytic tasks and lead study/planning teams.
• Brief senior officers and executives on findings and recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science, Arts, or Engineering degree.
• 6-8 years of professional experience conducting research and analysis in support of the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Demonstrated proficiency managing analytic tasks and leading study/planning teams.
• Experience briefing senior officers and executives.
• Experience with enabling technologies such as robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance with the ability to maintain during employment.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree related to Operations Research or National Security Studies.
• 10+ years of professional experience assessing enabling technologies for military use cases.
• Understanding of military operations including ground combat, fires, and command and control.
• Knowledge of the Australian Defence Force and the Indo-Pacific theater.
• Familiarity with emerging operational concepts and capabilities.