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Supervisory Operations Research Analyst

Department of Defense
Missile Defense Agency
Cost Estimating

Summary

The incumbent will be responsible for: A key aspect of this position is strategic workforce management. The director is responsible for identifying and acquiring staff with the necessary analytical skills and is committed to their professional growth by providing continuous training opportunities.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/06/2026 to 04/13/2026
Salary
$130,987 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 4
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Redstone Arsenal, AL
Fort Belvoir, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
MDA-26-12926818-DH
Control number
863720700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

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This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Acq Demo Business and Technical Management to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.


As a Supervisory Operations Research Analyst at the NH-1515-4 broadband level, some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Directs, guides and manages the agency investment analysis or cost estimating function. Ensures quality of analyses to include timeliness, accuracy, and adequacy. Determines and acquires staff with appropriate skills. Provides training opportunities for staff to enhance skills for career growth.
  • Assists with the plan, review, approval and execution of the Missile Defense System (MDS) program and strategic planning efforts. Identifies and defines major planning activities pertinent to program analysis. Provides analytical input to development of long-range strategic plans and programming options.
  • Leads the development of processes and tools and applies them to perform analyses that support technical studies of MDS elements, components, and/or architectures. Leads development of methodologies for analysis. Uses knowledge to develop new or improved methods and relationships that can be used for on-going and future applications for Program Objective Memoranda (POM) and System Engineering/MDS definition activities in a capability based, block evolution environment. Directs decision modeling and computer programming activities as necessary to support functional area responsibilities. Serves as a principal spokesperson for MDA cost estimating activities and maintains liaison with other senior staff throughout the missile defense community.
  • Coordinates/integrates system engineering, acquisition, cost and schedule functions analysis. Promotes and facilitates a cooperative work environment with the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE), the military services, and other government agencies, advanced systems, program offices, and other groups necessary to perform required analyses. Routinely charged to resolve controversial matters related to investment analysis or cost estimating.
  • Prepares briefings and conducts presentations to all MDA management levels. Frequently interfaces with other government agencies, Military Services, or other technical experts at the most senior levels to coordinate and resolve concerns.
  • Attends and participates in workshops, seminars, conferences, and training courses on any and all matters associated with the program strategies, research, or other program integration initiatives that cross-cut MDS acquisition requirements.
  • Attends symposia, interagency groups, and industrial, educational, and scientific society meetings to keep current with methods and principles associated with program investment analysis or cost estimating. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, difficulty of assignments, and the capability of employees. Provides technical oversight. Develops performance plans and rate employees. Interviews candidates for subordinate positions. Recommends hiring, promotion, or reassignment. Takes disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands Identifies developmental and training needs of employees. Provides and/or arranges for needed development and training. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Occasional Travel
  • Work Schedule: Full-time
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Maxi Flex
  • Recruitment Incentives: Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees based on agency policy and availability.
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is not telework eligible.
  • Supervisory Probationary Period: May be required to successfully complete a supervisory probationary period.
  • This is an acquisition position coded Advanced in Business, Cost Estimating.
  • Incumbent must obtain mandatory Back-to-Basics (BtB) certification within 48 months of entry into position.
  • Incumbent must acquire 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months.
  • This is a Critical Acquisition Position. Incumbent will be required to sign a written tenure agreement to remain, for a minimum of three years, in the Federal Service in the Critical Acquisition Position.
  • This is a drug testing designated position.
  • Employee must obtain/maintain a Special Sensitive/Top Secret with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance

Qualifications

You may qualify at the NH-04 Broadband Level, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

Salary Ranges are the following unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail:

For the Redstone Arsenal, AL Location: $130,987 to $197,200 (includes 21.91% locality)
For the Fort Belvoir, VA: $143,913-$197,200 (includes 33.94% locality)


A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03/GS-13 grade level in the Federal service as listed below and must meet 3 of 4 specialized experience listed below to be qualified:

  • Experience in operations research techniques. Knowledge of systems engineering/analysis processes, program risk management/assessment processes, cost analysis methods and how these disciplines interplay in weapons systems acquisition.
  • Experience in developing Cost Data Collection plans, Contracts Data Requirements List for Weapon Systems, and using cost analysis tools.
  • Experience in decision theory and analysis, quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques.
  • Experience working cooperatively and leading cost estimating teams. Ability to gather, analyze and present facts; plan and organize work. Skilled in interpersonal relations, oral and written communications.
Note: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the NH-04 level.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1515 series as listed below:

Degree: in operations research; or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.

Evaluation of Education: The primary requirement of operations research work is competence in the rigorous methods of scientific inquiry and analysis rather than in the subject matter of the problem. Therefore, applicants should have sufficient knowledge of applied mathematics to understand and use the fundamental concepts and techniques of operations research methods of analysis. In addition, some positions may require knowledge of a specific subject area.

Courses acceptable for qualifying for operations research positions may have been taken in departments other than Operations Research, e.g., Engineering (usually Industrial Engineering), Science, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Management Science.

The following are illustrative of acceptable courses: optimization; mathematical modeling; queueing theory; engineering; physics (except descriptive or survey courses); econometrics; psychometrics; biometrics; experimental psychology; physical chemistry; industrial process analysis; managerial economics; computer science; measurement for management; mathematical models in social phenomena; and courses that involved application of operations research techniques and methodologies to problems of management, marketing, systems design, and other specialized fields; or other comparable quantitative analysis courses for which college-level mathematics or statistics is a prerequisite. Courses in theory of probability and statistics are highly desirable but are not specified as minimum educational requirements because to do so would possibly exclude some applicants who would otherwise be well qualified.

NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Other Notes:

CRITICAL ACQUISITION POSITION (CAP). Selectee for this position will be required to sign a written agreement to remain, for a minimum of three years, in the federal service in this critical acquisition position.

DAWIA (Back to Basics) Certification: CAP: Position is a DoD Critical Acquisition Position & requires DoD Acquisition , Cost Estimating, Advanced certification. Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 48 months after entry into this position. Selectee must also achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2-years and sign a written agreement to remain in Federal service in the position for at least three years. Click here for more details and Resources.? RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf.

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements.

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx

Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility. If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below.

Appointment of Department of Defense Spouses: Are you the spouse of a current Department of Defense, Department of State, or intelligence community employee who is being transferred in the interest of the Government from one official station within the Department to another within the Department for permanent duty? Supporting Documentation: You are required to submit proof of marriage AND permanent change of station (PCS) orders: spouse's PCS orders (showing you as a dependent) and/or copy of marriage certificate. If you are a current or previous Federal employee, please include your most recent SF-50.

Missile Defense Agency

Do you enjoy challenges and seek opportunities?
Are identifying problems, analyzing facts, and making recommendations some of your strong suits?
Would you like to obtain the rare opportunity to participate in some of the greatest technological achievements developed?
Would you like to serve your country and defend freedom in one of the most critical efforts in history?

If you answered yes, then this job is for you! The Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) mission is to develop, test, and field an integrated, layered, ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends against all ranges of enemy ballistic missiles in all phases of flight.

We are seeking a prepared, talented, and motivated Supervisory Operations Research Analyst who seek challenges and opportunities. You will earn a competitive salary and enjoy outstanding benefits while working alongside some of the brightest, most motivated thinkers of our time.

Agency contact information

MDA Servicing Team
Phone
6146920299
Fax
6146931696
Email
DHRC-DMDAHR@DLA.MIL
Address
Missile Defense Agency
Bldg 5222 Martin Rd
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Missile Defense Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.mda.mil/

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