Jr. Scientific​/Tech Analyst

Overview

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.

The Acquisition and Technology Analysis Group within JOID specializes in the application of multi-disciplinary analytic skills to support multiple clients within the Department of Defense (DoD). These clients include the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)), DARPA, the Joint Staff, and USINDOPACOM. 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 Junior S&T Analyst to provide onsite support out of Alexandria, VA.

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated professional interested in providing technical, data-driven support combined with strategy-informed technology analysis. The ideal candidate will apply a passion for solving challenging, unstructured, and time-critical problems in both leadership and supporting roles. The candidate will participate in analyses, assessments, and workshops that integrate technical, operational, and programmatic aspects across various elements of the DoW.

The individual will support cross-functional, high-performance teams conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis, including wargaming, to inform decision makers at the highest levels of the government, including the Secretary of War, Congress, and the White House. Candidates can expect to manage multiple tasks concurrently, often with constrained timelines. Tasks may be aligned to the individual’s expertise and interests but will often require individuals to rapidly learn and apply new knowledge and skills.

Successful candidates will quickly be rewarded with leadership opportunities and direct engagement with external clients and stakeholders.

Required:

• • Bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or similar technical field.
• • 0-2+ years of related work experience.
• • Ability to understand, analyze, assess, explain, and present complex technology problems and opportunities.
• • Self‑motivated individual with a strong work ethic, time‑management, and interpersonal skills; able to work well individually and as part of a team.
• • Proficient in the MS Office suite of products.
• • Ability to work fully onsite based on client needs.
• • Active DoW Secret clearance or higher.

Desired:

• • Demonstrated experience assessing the impact of disruptive technologies.
• • Understanding of defense, security, and geopolitics concepts.
• • Demonstrated experience in the following areas:
  • Applying intelligence data on near‑peer adversary capabilities.
  • Assessing the operational impact of planned or conceptual weapon systems.
  • Analyzing implications of technology policy.
  • Analyzing DoW acquisition processes.
  • Supporting DoW wargames, tabletop exercises, or workshops.
  • Supporting international collaboration efforts.