Operations Research Summer Intern

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. We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted. Come work with the best!

SPA's Maritime Division provides timely, objective, analytic assessments, strategic planning, and expert operational, technical and acquisition support to the Undersea and Surface Warfare communities, and related agencies and partners. We play key roles in providing the insights and strategies to address current and emerging challenges to our national security. We have tremendous impact in assisting our clients to achieve success on their most important issues and programs within the constraints of the budget environment.

The Cross Domain Warfare Analysis Group (CDAG), within SPA’s Maritime Division, specializes in integrating concepts and technologies to produce capabilities that provide military utility across the full range of maritime warfighting domains from the seabed to space. CDAG customers include: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Office of Naval Research (ONR), Navy staff, and other government organizations. We draw on multi-disciplinary expertise in Operations Research, systems engineering, military operations, and program analysis to advise DoD leaders on decisions to acquire innovative technologies, optimize existing processes, and influence policy to advance our national security. CDAG delivers:  1) Quantitative and qualitative modeling and analysis combined with extensive maritime operational and technical experience to develop integrated solutions to deterrence and warfighting challenges, 2) Cost-effective platform, mission, payload, and operating strategies to address capability gaps and exploit opportunities to create asymmetric cross-domain effects, 3) Expert capability, technology, policy, and business case assessments; operational mission analyses; integrated warfare assessments; requirements development; technology transition management; and program support.

CDAG is looking for an Operations Research Summer Intern at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Timeline for intern selection: 

• Applications can be submitted and will be reviewed until 17 November 2023.
• Interviews will conclude by 13 December 2023, with offers/decisions within two weeks of interview.

You will assist in problem framing, computer model development, data analysis, and visualization of defense technologies and their warfighting capability and impact. You will be expected to work independently and collaboratively with senior analysts who are experts in military operations, policy, and data science. You will have the opportunity to present your product and findings to team and company leadership. All the while, you will gain knowledge of defense technologies, unmanned systems, and a collection of other military topics.

In addition to customer support, you will be assigned to projects involving the modeling of the integration of unmanned technologies, host platforms, and capability requirements. You will research the technologies' intended use, platform integration, requirements, and cost to inform your model development. You will have the opportunity to use several different modeling environments. These models will explore options and existing challenges with integrating new unmanned technologies with existing military aircraft/ships/submarines in activities such as navigation, communications, and data transfer.

Your Opportunities:  1) You will be submitted to receive and/or maintain a DoD Secret security clearance, 2) Exposure to the analytic and military communities through luncheons and work interactions, 3) Mentorship from senior analysts who have a multitude of experiences in DoD, policy, operations, and data science, 4) You will model, analyze, and present a project, from start to finish, and 5) Successful interns will be considered for part time employment during the school year and a full time offer after the completion of their degree program.

Required Qualifications:

Qualified candidates for internship with the Cross Domain Warfare Analysis Group (CDAG) will be currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations Research, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or an equivalent technical field.Candidates should have:

• Coursework or practical experience in manipulating, analyzing and visualizing data, computer programming, and/or scripting
• Experience in applying analytical methods to address complex problems
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Experience and comfort working independently and in a collaborative group
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility to meet requirements for a DoD Secret security clearance

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience with any of the following software tools or languages: Excel/VBA, Python, Access/VBA, Access/SQL, MATLAB, Cameo Systems Modeler/SysML, Systems Took Kit (STK), R, Git, Bash