Operations Research Analysts - Systems Planning and Analysis Australia (Canberra)

Systems Planning and Analysis Australia Pty Ltd provides advanced analytics, agile software tools and development, and modelling and simulation services to the Australian Defence Force. We support Defence with timely and objective analysis and integrated technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business solutions in support of important national security objectives.  

We are looking to expand our team and grow this capability in Australia. We need hard working, strategic, and agile thinkers who are keen to grow a critical national capability at a time of rapid Defence modernisation. Our next team member(s) will be able to balance multiple projects, work with diverse stakeholders across all Services and Groups, and do it all with a pragmatic and data driven mindset.  These roles would suit recent graduates (or students due to graduate mid year) from science, technology, engineering or math backgrounds.

SPA Australia seeks to grow Australia's sovereign capability through local upskilling of its workforce in order to provide the same support to the Commonwealth that SPA US has provided to the US Department of Defense for the past 48 years. We will provide formal and informal training opportunities for our next team member(s) both in Australia and through our parent company in the United States.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly motivated, passionate problem solver to provide advanced analytical support to the Department of Defence. The Operations Research Analyst will work with senior analysts to apply rational, systematic, science-based techniques, and critical thinking to help inform and improve the Department’s decision-making abilities in relation to Defence capability across the capability lifecycle. We are seeking an individual that will:
 

  • Participate in the design, planning, development, and documentation of all analysis and assessments.

  • Perform a wide range of analytic activities, including, but not limited to: advanced mathematical model development, simulation, statistical analysis, optimisation, cost/benefit analysis, data exploration, database design and sensitivity analysis.

  • Contribute to analytic teams, and develop innovative and rigorous solutions to government and military issues.

  • Facilitate communication between stakeholders from SPA Australia, SPA US, and the Commonwealth.

  • Assist in the development of data visualisations, briefings, reports, and other contract deliverables.


Qualifications
 

  • Bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).

  • 0-3 years of experience in operations research analysis.

  • Demonstrated experience using analytic software packages and programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, AFSIM, VBA, R, Python) to provide rigorous analytic solutions. Experience developing analytic tools for data analysis, knowledge management, or decision support.

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate complex technical subjects to technical and non-technical decision makers.

  • Ability to break down complex unstructured problems, lay out objective approaches, and develop rigorous analytic solutions.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain at least an Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) Australian security clearance.


Desired qualifications
 

  • Military operational experience or experience in military operations research, systems analysis, modelling and simulation.

  • Master’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).

 

How to apply

To express interest, please email a copy of your CV and contact details to David Brown, dgbrown@au.spa.com.

Application closing date

20 May 2021
Applications open for this opportunity: 
21 Apr 2021
Study level: 
Postgraduate
Research
Undergraduate

Updated:  10 August 2021/Responsible Officer:  Dean, CECS/Page Contact:  CECS Marketing