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 provides the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) technical expertise for decision support to ensure technical overmatch for the U.S. Armed Forces against any potential adversaries. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled exploring cutting-edge technology and helping government program managers evaluate, select, and manage research programs to transition promising technologies and ensure U.S. military forces retain technological superiority in the future.

SPA has an immediate need for a Senior Scientist to assist with Program Concept Development onsite in Arlington, VA.

The Senior Scientist will support the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in addressing the scientific rationale for investments in high-risk, high-reward technology Research and Development (R&D) projects. Will apply their expertise and experience to assist Tactical Technology Office (TTO) executive leadership and program managers in developing and initiating new efforts, managing them, and seeing them through to growth and transition. This position will emphasize coordination of the technical agenda for an ongoing series of concept development workshops featuring government, industry, and academia to understand the state-of-the-art, identify promising research areas, generate ideas for credible-scale efforts, and rapidly refine them into focused pitches suitable for approval by agency leadership. Will also include assisting leadership in identifying national security challenges and participating in the development of portfolio-level strategies to address them.

Required Qualifications:

MS/MA degree in a technical field (engineering, math, sciences) with 15 years of cumulative experience
• Active TS/SCI clearance and eligible for Special Access Programs
• Demonstrated experience in a technical, managerial, and/or scientific field; expert credentials or being a recognized authority in one or more aspects of military platform innovation, missionized autonomy, innovative methods of design space exploration and systems engineering, and/or affordable and responsive manufacturing techniques
• Self-starter with the ability to quickly grasp problems in a broad range of military technology areas and to initiate and evaluate revolutionary concepts relevant to TTO
• Ability to perform top-level technical analyses and assessments of new ideas for physical consistency, military utility, technology risk, and cost impacts
• Demonstrated ability to develop conclusions independently on R&D engineering problems and methods, resolving important questions, planning and coordinating work, and rapidly troubleshooting complex technical problems
• Demonstrated experience in the use of advanced techniques, theories, precepts, and practices
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the mature judgment required to advise senior government personnel

Desired Qualifications:

• PhD in a technical field with 15 years of relevant experience
• Experience with basic, applied research and advanced technology development
• Experience managing R&D programs from inception to closeout
• Experience as a DARPA Program Manager or senior SETA contractor at DARPA, to include at least ten years extensive experience, background, and knowledge of one or more DARPA programs, and at least three years of experience working with DARPA Program Managers
• Published articles in a field of scientific, engineering, or technical expertise
• Demonstrated ability to communicate program and technical requirements into strategy, acquisition, planning, and/or public release documents and correspondence in clear, concise, and compelling terms
• Experience creating and coordinating strategy and program overview documents, and developing briefings to technical and non-technical audiences