Operational Research System Analyst

Operational Research System Analyst (ORSA) The Ascendancy Group’s Mission

To be the unequaled provider of special operations forces (SOF) and Intelligence Community focused technical, service, and training-based solutions.

The Operational Research System Analyst (ORSA) position is a full‑time position embedded in operational planning teams, applying advanced analytical methods—such as modeling and simulation, wargaming, statistical analysis, and systems thinking—to inform mission design, evaluate Courses of Action (COAs), and develop Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs) and Performance (MOPs) as part of Operations in the Information Environment (OIE). The ORSA will enhance operational adaptability, strategic alignment, and mission effectiveness across Irregular Warfare planning activities.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

TS/SCI or TS w/SCI Eligibility

• Defines measurable and observable Measures of Effectiveness.
• Participates in the development of intelligence and non‑kinetic targeting activities to align collections and define acceptable outcomes.
• Supports assessments of the information environment by applying a combination of opinion research data, intelligence, operational reporting, and social media insights.
• Contributes to the collection of social, cultural, economic, political, religious, and regional indicators through all available sources to assess approved series in the theater.
• Coordinates, consolidates, submits, and tracks intelligence requirements across Information Forces and Info activities.
• Creates, determines resourcing, and/or coordinates with stakeholders, the collection of social, cultural, economic, political, religious, and regional identified indicators through all available sources to assess approved series in the theater.
• Participates in the development of intelligence for inclusion in command collection plans, facilitating planning, execution, and feedback for measures of performance and measures of effectiveness.
• Identifies, assesses, designs, and reports on highly complex adversary strengths, weaknesses, order of battle, force structure, military capabilities, key military leadership, military policies, plans, strategies, intentions, and their impact on force developments in support of IO Division planning efforts and operational execution.
• Conducts assessment of information activities and OIE.
• Identifies and tracks measures of performance through the attainment of measures of effectiveness.
• Provides operational intelligence services that include the full range of intelligence functions to address Information Related Capabilities (IRC) requirements.
• Applies advanced analytical methods—such as statistics, modeling, simulations, and data science—to assess and optimize the effectiveness of OIE and influence campaigns.
• Helps leadership and planners make data‑informed decisions about employing Information Forces across the battlespace.

• Degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Engineering, Economics, or related quantitative field.
• Experience applying quantitative methods to military or government problem sets.
• Experience working in a collaborative, cross‑functional team environment.
• Proficiency in modeling, simulation, optimization, and data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and brief decision support tools or assessments to senior leaders.
• Familiarity with statistical tools and languages (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB, or SAS).

• Completion of FA49 (Army ORSA) or similar military ORSA training pipeline.
• Experience supporting Combatant Commands, the Joint Staff, or DoD components.
• Experience supporting Information Operations, Strategic Communications, or Influence Assessment.
• Understanding of Joint Planning Process (JPP) or campaign design.
• Proficiency with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, D3.js) or network analysis software (Gephi, Palantir, Neo4j).

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