The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a Federally-Funded Research and Development Center supporting the Department of War (DOW) and other federal agencies. IDA’s mission is to provide objective analyses of national security issues and related national challenges, particularly those requiring extraordinary scientific and technical expertise. IDA takes great pride in the high caliber and timeliness of its analyses, which are produced in an atmosphere that encourages collaboration, independent thinking, and objective results.
An opportunity now exists in the Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD) for an experienced Research Staff Member – Senior Aerospace Cost Analyst. CARD engages in applied research supporting resource allocation decisions spanning a broad set of topics within the DOW and for other Federal Agencies. Our research staff provide independent and objective analyses on a wide range of national security issues, particularly those requiring scientific, technical, and quantitative expertise. Candidates should have demonstrated successes working on a diverse set of challenging problems throughout their career.
Work at IDA is conducted in a team environment and often involves a multi-disciplinary approach. Researchers work closely with and are in frequent contact with government sponsors. Consequently, strong communication and interpersonal skills will be greatly valued.
Responsibilities:
• Researches, tests, studies, analyzes, predicts, and/or evaluates issues within a defined research project
• Individually or in team, prepares briefings and reports documenting conclusions, findings, and recommendations; may be asked to present project findings to task sponsor or other interested stakeholders
• Serves as project leader to one or more projects
• Works with other researchers and sponsors to identify, prioritize, and communicate emerging issues for IDA, its sponsors, and the community
• Develops and sustains working relationships with sponsors
• Mentors and develops careers of junior staff
Minimum Job Qualifications:
Education/Experience: MS+8 years of relevant experience or Ph.D. in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Materials Science, or Physics.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• Substantive experience and leadership in the aerospace field supporting senior DOW leadership with analytical, technical or engineering expertise
• Demonstrated leadership and execution of research projects
• Knowledge of DOW organizations, functions, and processes is desirable, especially those within the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, the Test Resource Management Center, and other offices within the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering
• Experience with cost estimation, analyzing schedule risk, and assessing technical feasibility
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in an unstructured environment
• Excellent communication skills
• Proven innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to interact professionally with government or industry representatives
• Travel may be required
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required
We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $113,353 - $277,494. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.
IDA (Institute for Defense Analyses) – a not-for-profit corporation headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia just outside Washington, DC – operates three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) in the public interest: the Systems and Analyses Center, the Science and Technology Policy Institute, and the Center for Communications and Computing.
Sponsors rely on IDA for dispassionate, fact-based, and scientifically rigorous research and advice to inform their decisions. Since 1956, IDA’s basic mission has remained unchanged – bring the best scientific, technical, and analytic talent to bear on issues critical to U.S. National security, in a research environment free of commercial or shareholder interests where objectivity and the public interest are foremost.
The work produced by IDA’s FFRDCs is characterized by unquestioned objectivity and high quality. Because of our unique relationship with our Government sponsors, IDA enjoys unusual access to highly classified and sensitive government and corporate proprietary information. We adhere to a strict regime for avoiding conflicts of interest. We are thus in the position of offering outsider perspectives on important issues with insider access to information.
Our diverse mix of professionals possesses expertise in a broad range of technologies and systems combined with deep knowledge of costs, policies, operations, and organizational matters. IDA continually renews and evolves its staff, integrating those newly educated in the latest advances in research with seasoned veterans of acquisition management, policy-making, and operational leadership roles in government and defense-related organizations. The exceptional creativity, determination, and commitment to service that IDA researchers bring to their work are the foundation of IDA’s excellence.
