Research Analyst - Modeling & Simulation

What is the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA)?

IDA is a non-profit that is uniquely positioned to answer the most challenging U.S. security and science questions with objective and rigorous analysis leveraging extraordinary scientific, technical, and analytic expertise. Work at IDA is conducted in a team environment and often involves a multi-disciplinary approach.

IDA has an immediate opening in the Science, Systems, and Sustainment Division (S3D) for a Research Analyst with technical expertise and modeling, coding and data analysis skills. The ideal candidate is eager to support the broad spectrum of research conducted in S3D, including technical support to Golden Dome, one of the nation’s highest defense priorities, and is also an expert in their respective field. S3D explores topics that span the technology life cycle, from basic science, system implementation and analyses, and the sustainment of deployed systems. Example tasks included assessing the performance and survivability of individual military or intelligence systems; modeling the impact of new technologies and weapons concepts on warfighting effectiveness; determining the effectiveness of various force mixes in a mission or campaign context; observing tests and evaluating systems in development; assessing the physical security of critical infrastructure; and aiding government decision-making for investments in weapon system sustainment. IDA takes great pride in the high caliber and timeliness of its analyses, which are produced in a collegial atmosphere that encourages independent thinking, teamwork, and objective results. IDA provides an inclusive work environment and a comprehensive and competitive salary and benefits package.  

Responsibilities

Research Analysts are responsible for contributing to scientifically sound research and providing technical review for others’ research products. IDA addresses diverse and ever-changing topics. Research Analysts are expected to be adaptable, self-motivated, and committed to life-long learning; capable of working independently or as a member of an interdisciplinary research team; and able to work multiple projects concurrently. Specific research-related activities expected of Research Analysts include:

• Develop and maintain relationships with potential sponsors and stakeholders in the national security community to identify emerging issues.
• Engage effectively with sponsors to understand their issues and constraints, and develop responsive research plans.
• Formulate research questions that address sponsors’ challenging and complex problems, and are informed by the broader context of national security.
• Identify key factors of the issue under study, and create and execute appropriate quantitative analytic methodologies, including novel computational and model-based approaches.
• Interact with government officials, military personnel, and other subject matter experts during the research process.
• Analyze, evaluate, and integrate data and model results to develop strategic and actionable insights.
• Prepare reports and presentations documenting findings, conclusions, and recommendations and effectively communicate the results of IDA’s analysis to sponsors and selected audiences.

Qualifications

Required:

• PhD in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or related quantitative field

• 5+ years of Python development experience, including object-oriented design and software engineering best practices

•  Demonstrated experience in space systems analysis — orbital mechanics, ISR collection modeling, and C2/kill-chain concepts

•  Experience developing or contributing to modeling & simulation tools in a research or defense analysis context

• Successful completion of a background check is required.

Preferred

• Familiarity with satellite sensor modeling (SAR, EO/IR, SIGINT) including performance metrics like SNR and NIIRS

• Experience with astrodynamics libraries (Poliastro, STK, GMAT) or orbit propagation frameworks

• Background in signal processing, geolocation (TDOA/FDOA), or related sensing phenomenology

• Experience with data visualization tools (Plotly, Dash, Cesium) for simulation output

• Prior work in a federally funded research or defense analysis environment (FFRDC, UARC, national lab)