Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analyst - Strategic Systems Cost Analysis Division (SSSCAD)

JOA#:

Department: Department of War (DOW)

Agency: Office of the Secretary of War (OSW)

Hiring Organization: Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE)

Open Period: 11/5/2026 - 11/18/2026

Pay Scale & Grade: GS-/14/15

Salary Range: $143,914 - $197,200

Series & Appointment Type: 1515 Operations Research, Permanent - Schedule B Excepted Service

Location: Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Work Schedule: Full Time

Clearance Requirements: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI

Citizenship Requirement: Open to all US Citizens

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Travel Required: Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status: No

Promotion Potential: 15

Summary:

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Operations Research Analyst in the Space and Strategic Systems Cost Analysis Division (SSSCAD) within CAPE. SSSCAD focuses on the development of cost estimates for major DoW acquisition programs in the space and strategic systems portfolio, including space vehicles, space ground control systems, launch capabilities, nuclear weapons, bombers, missile defense radars, interceptors, long-range fires, and emerging technologies.

OSW CAPE prepares or approves Independent Cost Estimates (ICEs) and cost analyses for all major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs) and major subprograms using any of the pathways identified in the DoW Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF). CAPE also develops independent cost estimates to support program certifications following Nunn McCurdy breaches. Independent and realistic cost estimates are vital to enable DoW leadership to make effective acquisition decisions and support the efficient and effective allocation of resources throughout the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities May Include:

• Developing or reviewing ICEs to support reviews of major DoW program at key acquisition milestones or decision points, regardless of AAF pathway (Major Capability Acquisition, Middle Tier of Acquisition, Software Pathway, or Defense Business System).
• Preparing cost analyses to support DoW certification of a program following a critical Nunn- McCurdy breach.
• Providing cost estimating support to development of resourcing alternatives during the DoW's annual Program Budget Review process.
• Supporting CAPE evaluation of the Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) prepared by the military departments and components of the Department for new weapon system or national security system capabilities.
• Conducting analyses of DoW contractors' forward pricing rates based on historical trends and projections of the contractor's business base.
• Preparing or supporting special studies and reports directed by Congress or senior DoW leadership.
• Presenting the findings of analytical products, verbally or in writing, to senior leaders and non-technical audiences, clearly and concisely.
• Performing independently and/or acting as a senior analyst in a team setting.
• Reviewing and recommending approval of cost data reporting plans and ensuring compliance of reporting with those plans.
• Performing independent research involving the relationship between DoW regulations, policies, and strategic choices and acquisition program cost, schedule, and performance outcomes.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

A degree in operations research from an accredited college/university; 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.

Required Skills:

Your experience must be relevant. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

Quantitative Analytics: Mastery of mathematical reasoning that involves designing, developing, and applying operations research, mathematical, statistical, economic, and/or other scientific research methods. Demonstrated experience in using quantitative analytics to solve complex problems with innovative solutions sufficient to receive recognition as an authority in a particular subject. Experience developing cost estimates incorporating regression-based cost estimating relationships and learning curve equations. Includes ability to develop new cost estimating methodologies where current approaches are obsolete or do not support evolving directions and strategies.

Cost Estimating: Thorough knowledge of cost estimating methodologies and techniques for development, production, and operating and support cost estimates for MDAPs and/or other major programs. An understanding of cost estimating law and policy including Congressional requirements for cost analysis, CAPE estimating guidance and procedures, and source selection procedures. Knowledge of contractor and government cost reporting requirements, Earned Value Management, and contractor pricing systems and rates. Experience evaluating the technical and program characteristics that drive cost estimates for military weapon systems or other important national security systems.

DoW's Weapon System Acquisition and Contracting Processes, and the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System (PPBES). An understanding of the acquisition timeline and events for MDAPs, acquisition strategies, and contracting options. Thorough knowledge of DoW's Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System or a similar resource allocation process. Demonstrate knowledge of how DoW broadly aligns defense strategy to resources. Demonstrate familiarity with procedures used to aid decision makers in making choices through independent, objective, and fact-based analyses.

Building Coalitions: Ability to work with and collaborate with individuals across a broad spectrum of internal and external organizational representatives. Demonstrate ability to independently work across organizations, and successfully navigate a complex bureaucracy to share and obtain information, and to influence outcomes. Must have the ability to develop an expansive professional network with other organizations and to identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization.

Communication: Ability to translate complex concepts, findings, and limitations into concise, plain language through varied types of written communication to include emails, memos, PowerPoint briefs, white papers, and full reports. Oral communications may include formal presentations or briefings in front of large groups of senior officials and could occur with little to no forewarning and may require communicating on matters with opposing views. Must be able to explain, advocate, and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and to negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally.

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one year (equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week) of demonstrating the duties and competencies for each GS level to qualify:

• GS-14 Qualifications: Broad range of operations research analysis assignments entailing unique problems, creativity, innovative use of quantitative analytic techniques, advanced approaches, and/or new technologies. Utilizes scientific inquiry, independently supporting roles in a teaming environment, demonstrated knowledge and application of cost estimating methodologies, demonstrated analytical acumen in support of an agency's analytic approaches, effectively communicating with senior officials, internal and external colleagues, scientific organizations, and industry stakeholders.
• GS-15 Qualifications: Leading teams in performing complex statistical analyses; evaluating large and complex cost estimates and determining lifecycle costs; evaluating large and complex military programs; performing complex analysis in the absence of defined goals and outcomes, providing expert consultation and technical expertise to agency senior leaders on studies and analysis, and effectively communicating with senior officials, internal and external colleagues, scientific organizations, and industry stakeholders.

Volunteer Work Experiences: You can also receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Volunteer work refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Background Checks and Security Clearance

You will be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI security clearance. For more information regarding security clearances click here.

How to Apply:

Required Documents:

1. Resume:

a. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, BE CLEAR, SPECIFIC AND DETAILED. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

b. You must include name, address, contact information and the hours worked per week and the dates of employment/volunteer experience (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 2,087 hours or 52-weeks of 40 hours/week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies". For additional information see: How do I write a resume for a federal job

c. Do not include any photos and Personally Identifiable Information (i.e., Social Security Number, Birthdate) on your resume.

d. Resume must be limited to 2 pages and a minimum size 10 font. Please save your resume as a PDF file to preserve the 2-page length.

2. Transcripts: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for it to be credited towards qualifications requirements. Copies of a diploma alone are not sufficient.

a. Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program.

3. Veterans Preference: veteran eligibility documentation (DD-214 Member #4 Copy, VA Letter, Standard Form (SF) 15 as applicable). Please note: If you are a veteran who has not yet been discharged, you may provide a statement of intent to discharge from your agency to receive Veterans Preference under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.

4. SF-50: Your latest SF-50 (if applicable) showing your tenure, grade and step, and type of position occupied. Remove all Personally Identifiable Information (Social Security Number and Birthdate).

a. If you receive an updated SF-50 after initially applying, please provide the updated document to CAPE to be added to your application.

b. If you've had a break in service - please provide your original appointment SF50 in addition to your resignation SF50. If you do not have your latest documents, you can submit a request to the National Personnel Records Center to obtain them - see guidance here: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/civilian-non-archival

5. Military Spouse Preference Eligibility documentation (if applicable). For Priority Placement Program, you must include a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP, such as PCS orders/verification of duty location assignment and a copy of marriage certificate or license. For eligibility under Executive Order 13473, acceptable documentation includes: verification of marriage to the servicemember, verification of member's 100 percent disability or verification of member's death while on active duty.

6. Free Response Essay Questions:Optional section to demonstrate your commitment to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passion about the ideals of our American republic, and commitment to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. You will not be scored against your responses for this section.

Please visit the CAPE Careers website for more information on CAPE, our benefits and more.

How You Will Be Evaluated:

Subject matter experts will evaluate your qualifications before any referral. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application will be assessed in a multi-hurdle process that ends in a ranking and referral.

Resume Review (First Hurdle): Subject matter experts will review your resume to determine qualifications based on the required competencies identified above.

Qualifying Structured Interviews (Second Hurdle): If the subject matter experts determine that your resume reflects the required competencies, you will have a panel interview (virtual or by phone) to assess your experience against those competencies. The interview may include in-depth questions or an exercise or case study to measure your depth of knowledge.

Ranking and Preference: Qualified candidates receive a score between 70 and 100, before any points for veterans' preference. Your answers are verified against the information in yo