Information and Planning Technical SETA

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.

SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future.

We have an immediate need for an Information and Planning Technical SETA to provide onsite support at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Information Innovation Office (I2O) in Arlington, VA.

The candidate will provide expert technical advice and guidance to the government on all aspects of secure, multi-domain computing systems. Execute technical monitoring of research involving algorithm research and assessment, integration, test, prototype deployment, and transition of software systems for sensing, exchanging information, and planning for digital actions. Develop new concepts and new programs with government principals. Explore current state-of-the-art and technical feasibility of new concepts and potential research approaches. Support DoD research programs in terms of technology management, engagement with research performers, deliverable review, and leading regular calls or meetings with research performers on a technical basis. Support testing and evaluation of DoD applied research and advanced technology development of cybersecurity technologies and/or prototypes in an operationally relevant environment. Directly engage with government transition partners (within the DoD and Intelligence Community) and related stakeholders.

Required:

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field
• 8+ years of relevant experience in sensemaking/planning/Command and Control (C2) software, autonomous systems, and/or distributed software systems
• Active Top Secret clearance
• Substantial experience across one or more of the following fields:
  • Information synthesis, estimation, tracking, and/or probabilistic reasoning algorithms
  • Command and control software
  • Distributed systems, software, and services
  • Software algorithms for intelligent systems, planning, sensing, and orchestration
  • Mission planning software, user interfaces, constraints, resources, and nuances
  • Agent-based software architectures and implementations
  • Distributed system communication and transport mechanisms
  • Goal decomposition and planning algorithms
• Ability to work with little oversight to achieve team goals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences
• A high degree of initiative, excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and reliability
• Familiarity with general systems engineering principles for complex systems development
• Able to report to Arlington, VA on a full-time basis in a SCIF environment

Desired:

• Graduate/Master's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field

• Experience operating in complex, contested, non-benign environments

• Experience with Clandestine or Covert Operations

• Experience with Cyber Operations

• Experience with Embedded Systems

• Experience working with Special Access Programs (SAPs)

• Experience with Agile development methodologies