Operations Analyst (Human-Centered Design) for Undersea Warfare

Description

Do you have experience investigating and solving complex issues, and conveying analysis to a variety of audiences?

Does that experience involve tackling sophisticated, high-stakes problems and crafting solutions that make a tangible difference?

Do you bring curiosity, creativity, and structure to ambiguous challenges?

Are you energized by connecting with real users, learning from their experience, andcollaborating across subject areas to deliver solutions?

Are you interested in applying your skills and interests to critical problems supporting national security?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are looking for an operations analyst with a focus on human-centered design to provide technical contributions and leadership to operationally-focused challenges in support of continued American undersea superiority. We are a hardworking team of analysts and operators who apply the latest technology to important problems supporting the US Navy Sea Control Mission. We support a portfolio of mission-driven design efforts within a technical and operationally focused engineering environment. Our group strives to cultivate an environment of innovation and collaboration while working on complex technical challenges that contribute to the security of the United States! As an operations analyst with a focus on human-centered design, you’ll apply human-centered design to real end-user and warfighter challenges.

As an Operations Analyst (Human-Centered Design) for Undersea Warfare…

• Your primary responsibility will be to develop and execute a qualitative and quantitative user research plan using methods like interviews, contextual inquiry, immersive field observation, and surveys—tailoring your approach to the operational context and information needs of the team and with a specific focus on Undersea Warfare (USW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) platforms and sensors.
• You will interact with DoD and or Navy staff to facilitate task execution and work prioritization. This includes briefing the sponsor or DoD command staff on the insights of the work and possible participation in field tests or sea trials for USW or ASW platforms and sensors.
• Technical contributions may include problem definition, requirements and metrics development, system assessment, analysis of mission success, qualitative and quantitative user research plans, visual frameworks, experience maps, design artifacts, and documentation.
• You will lead multidisciplinary teams of engineers, analysts, designers, and end-users to generate concepts that balance user desirability with technical feasibility and mission viability—ensuring solutions are grounded in real-world operational constraints and opportunities.
• You will work with analysis teams and systems authorities to evaluate and assess measures of performance and measures of effectiveness for USW and ASW systems. This will include evaluation of factors such as system performance, logistic requirements, costs, operational impacts, and potential CONOPs, the results of which will be detailed in reports and annotated briefs for delivery to Department of Defense (DoD) sponsors.
• You will execute co-creation sessions, workshops, and design sprints that bring together collaborators across warfighter roles and ranks—enabling shared understanding, unlocking fresh opinions, and accelerating alignment on potential solutions that can be applied in operational theatres.
• You will prototype, test, evaluate and iterate on solutions—from low-fidelity storyboards to interactive mockups or process pilots—gathering user feedback, analyze and refine concepts until they are viable, relevant, and ready to transition to real world challenges
• Your work will be in a project environment that values collaborative interactions, multiple perspectives, challenges assumptions, and continuously improves the way we work.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you…

• Have a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field such as: Human-Centered Design, Human Factors, Engineering, Cognitive Science, Communications, Computer Science, Industrial Design or a related interdisciplinary area
• Have five or more years of relevant USW/ASW operational/technical experience.
• Are technically and analytically oriented and possess curiosity about USW/ASW systems and work well in a team environment with a proven ability to lead small teams.
• Have initiative, motivation and flexibility, and possess strong analytical, operational, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience applying human-centered design or design thinking to real-world problems.
• Experience conducting and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative research (e.g., interviews, ethnographic research, user studies).
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with a variety of technical and non-technical collaborators.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to locations such as San Diego, Norfolk, Groton, Hawaii, and San Francisco.
• Hold a Top Secret level security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as: Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Human-Centered Design, Human Factors, Engineering Management, Computer Science, or Industrial Design.
• Have demonstrated understanding of features and patterns in data that identify the characteristics and behaviors of systems or components.
• Experience working Navy innovation programs (e.g. TANG)
• Have an understanding of potential adversary defensive and offensive capabilities
• Experience working in or with government, defense, or technical R&D environments.
• Familiarity with innovation frameworks, systems thinking, or process improvement methodologies.
• Visual storytelling skills and experience using tools like Figma, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite, or low-fidelity prototyping materials.
• Experience managing or contributing to multi-phase projects in dynamic team settings.
• Firsthand operational experience in mission, military, or field environments—especially where systems meet people.
• Exposure to agile development or iterative project lifecycles.
• Have a current TS/SCI security clearance.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttp://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$227,500 Annually