Operational Analyst -Strategic Analysis & Integration

Description

Are you an experienced analyst who thrives on tackling complex national security challenges where the answers aren't always clear?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team in the National Security Analysis Department (NSAD) at JHU/APL.

We are seeking an analytically rigorous and collaborative Operational Analyst and Project Leader to join the Operational Analysis Section within the Strategic Analysis and Integration Group of the National Security Analysis Department (NSAD). This individual will contribute to and lead multidisciplinary projects focused on assessing mission risk and operational effectiveness through a holistic Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPF) frame.

Through this frame, the Operational Analysis Section examines how new capabilities, force structure, readiness, and investment contribute to intended mission outcomes under real-world constraints. This work includes identifying operational vulnerabilities-such as logistics and supply chain risk-and evaluating tradeoffs across missions and time horizons. We emphasize elements such as institutional capacity, future operating conditions, and sustainment realities that impact successful implementation of capabilities.

The successful candidate will conduct rigorous operational analysis while taking increasing responsibility for project formulation, team leadership, sponsor engagement, and execution. The successful candidate will be a proactive and collaborative analyst who takes ownership, identifies what needs to be done, and works constructively across teams and disciplines to move complex efforts forward. We value individuals who bring a team-oriented approach; actively seek out and incorporate different perspectives; communicate candidly and respectfully; and contribute to an environment in which colleagues can challenge ideas, solve problems, and succeed together.

We are seeking individuals who can grow into significant project leadership roles, building multidisciplinary teams and trusted sponsor relationships while ensuring the technical quality, timeliness, and impact of their work.

As an Operational Analyst in the National Security Analysis Department (NSAD), you will...

• Conduct and lead operational analyses and mission risk assessments addressing complex national security challenges.
• Build and lead multidisciplinary project teams; coordinate effectively with line managers and technical leaders; proactively identify and address barriers to team success; delegate effectively; and foster a culture of accountability, mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and shared ownership of outcomes.
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, analytic approaches, and success criteria in collaboration with sponsors and technical teams.
• Lead disciplined project execution, including staffing, schedules, milestones, budgets, dependencies, technical quality, scope management, and delivery of high-quality products.
• Work with technical leads to ensure analytic rigor and integrate operational analysis with mission engineering, modeling and simulation, adversary analysis, future concepts, and other relevant disciplines.
• Translate analytic results into clear insights about mission risk, operational tradeoffs, and implications for sponsor decisions.
• Serve as a primary interface with sponsors; conduct status meetings and reviews and clearly communicate accomplishments, analytic findings, risks, issues, resource needs, and schedule or scope changes.
• Develop trusted sponsor relationships, identify emerging challenges and follow-on opportunities, and contribute to proposals, estimates, and development of new analytic efforts.
• Contribute to adoption of data-driven and AI-enabled analytic workflows where appropriate, balancing innovation with analytic rigor, operational realism, and sponsor trust.
• Mentor less-experienced team members and contribute to development of future technical and project leaders.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in a relevant field such as operations research, mathematics, the physical or social sciences, engineering, economics, or a related discipline.
• Have at least seven years of relevant experience conducting technical, operational, or national security analysis.
• Have experience conducting national security analyses focused on operations, mission risk, force structure, readiness, sustainment, or related operational challenges.
• Have demonstrated ability to frame complex and ambiguous national security problems into tractable analytic questions and develop defensible approaches for addressing them.
• Have demonstrated experience leading technical or analytic tasks, projects, or multidisciplinary teams and are prepared to take increasing responsibility for project leadership.
• Have demonstrated ability to collaborate across organizations and analytic disciplines.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience communicating technical results to sponsors and stakeholders.
• Have demonstrated sound judgment, initiative, and accountability in complex analytic or project environments.
• Are willing and able to travel on an occasional basis.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret security 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...

• Have a Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant analytic or technical discipline.
• Have demonstrated project leadership experience for analytic efforts from formulation through execution, including development of analytic approaches, team building, sponsor engagement, schedule and budget management, and delivery of results.
• Have experience applying a DOTMLPF or equivalent framework to complex operational problems and new capabilities.
• Have experience integrating operational analysis with modeling and simulation, mission engineering, or other quantitative analytic approaches.
• Have experience building and leading multidisciplinary technical teams and mentoring less-experienced staff.
• Have experience developing new analytic opportunities, proposals, or follow-on work and building sustained sponsor relationships.
• Have experience leveraging data-driven or AI-enabled tools to enhance analytic insight while maintaining operational realism.
• Possess an active Secret clearance or higher.

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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 at https://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 contact Accessibility@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

$245,000 Annually