Senior Prototyping & Experimentation Analyst

ARA Career • Alexandria, VA

3d

About The Position

The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Prototyping & Experimentation Analyst to support the Office of the Secretary of War Research & Engineering’s Prototyping & Experimentation Office. The role supports large government technology programs and requires experience in classified technical program or project management, acquisition, or analytical support in government Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) and the DoW Acquisition environment. The position is contingent upon the award of a contract expected to begin in August 2026.

The analyst will contribute technical assessments and program evaluations; assess laboratory or experimental/prototype tests; support scientific reviews; analyze emerging technologies and advanced capabilities; conduct quantitative engineering analyses; and assist with testing and evaluation of demonstrations, experiments, and prototypes. Work is performed with limited direction.

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company founded in 1979. It employs over 2,000 professionals and provides technical expertise and products across defense, civil technologies, software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, testing and measurement, and other areas. Employees are eligible to participate in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution.
• Top Secret security clearance with SCI and SAP eligibility.
• 10–12 years of experience performing classified operations effectiveness and acquisition systems analysis.
• Experience supporting development of defense acquisition system performance measures, including system requirements definition, key performance parameters, and measures of performance and effectiveness.
• Experience supporting test and evaluation efforts.
• Experience producing high-quality technical documentation for complex systems and synthesizing data into clear, impactful summaries.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree from an accredited academic institution.
• Experience writing for a DoW audience.
• Experience supporting the Office of the Secretary of War on acquisition and R&D programs.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to technical assessments and program evaluations.
• Provide independent assessments of laboratory or experimental/prototype tests.
• Support scientific reviews, including in-depth expert feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of research and development programs or proposals.
• Research, analyze, and summarize findings on emerging technologies and advanced capabilities.
• Conduct quantitative analyses of technology, mission engineering, and systems engineering requirements related to the development, prototyping, and insertion of advanced capabilities.
• Plan, coordinate, and assist with the testing and engineering evaluation of demonstrations, experiments, and prototypes.
• Perform and deliver work with limited direction.

Benefits

• Employees are eligible for contributions through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• The company provides employees with tools, training, and opportunities to take active roles as owners.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior