The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking to contingently hire a motivated, energetic, and experienced SPSS Senior Operations Manager to support the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R& E)) under the Specialized Program Support Services (SPSS) contract. The successful candidate will support OUSW(R& E) in its oversight of science and technology to solve current and future technological challenges for the Department of War (DoW). This on-site position is in the National Capital Region.

This position will support the Assistant Secretary of War for Research & Engineering (OASW(R& E)) Business Operations Office. OASW(RE) serves as the primary advisor to DoW leadership on all matters pertaining to the Department's R& E enterprise, technology development and transition, developmental prototyping, experimentation, and administration of testing ranges and activities. USW(R& E) has the lead responsibility within the Department for synchronizing Science & Technology (S& T) efforts across the DoW, the Joint Staff, and the Services. R& E serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the Department and is tasked with the imperative mission of ensuring continuous advancement of technology and innovation within the DoW enterprise. The Senior Operations Manager will oversee and manage the daily operations, focusing on improving overall performance and achieving strategic goals.

This position is contingent upon winning the SPSS contract, customer acceptance of the successful candidate’s resume, and security clearance verification. We expect contract award in late 2025 or early 2026.

Essential Functions:

• Analyze existing operational workflows, identify areas for improvement, and recommend strategies to enhance efficiency and productivity
• Develop and implement quality assurance programs, monitor product or service quality, and ensure adherence to established standards
• Provide guidance, training, and performance feedback to enhance team effectiveness and engagement
• Contribute to the development and execution of long-term operational strategies aligned with broader OUSW(R& E) goals
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track operational performance, analyze data, and generate reports for senior management
• Identify potential operational risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure business continuity
• Ensure operations comply with relevant laws, regulations, industry standards, and internal policies

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university in a management or technical discipline
• Seven (7) years of operations manager experience
• Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility
• Ability to execute effectively in DoD staff environment, and communicate effectively to audience across functional disciplines, and at senior levels of Government

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ten+ (10+) years of relevant Program or Project Management experience
• Master’s degree in a technical or management discipline from an accredited college or university
• Strong technical foundation with the ability to grasp diverse DoW technologies and communicate effectively with stakeholders
• Experience working with task management software systems such as CATMS or the Task Management Tool (TMT)
• Recent OASW(R& E) experience as Government employee or contractor

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the SPSS Senior Operations Manager position.

Experience

• 7 year(s): Operations Manager experience

Education

• Bachelors or better

Behaviors

• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
• Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

• Job Security: Inspired to perform well by the knowledge that your job is safe

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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