Section Supervisor – Operational Analysis Section

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

18h

About The Position

We are seeking a collaborative and analytically rigorous leader to serve as Section Supervisor for the Operational Analysis Section within the Strategic Analysis and Integration Group (JAI) of the National Security Analysis Department (NSAD). This role leads a multidisciplinary section focused on assessing mission risk and operational effectiveness through a holistic Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPF) frame.
In alignment with this frame, the Operational Analysis Section examines how new capabilities, force structure, readiness, and investment choices perform under real-world constraints, identifying operational vulnerabilities—such as logistics and supply chain risk—and evaluating tradeoffs across missions and time horizons. They emphasize elements such as institutional capacity, future operating conditions, and sustainment realities that impact successful implementation of capabilities.
The Section Supervisor will oversee and develop analysts conducting these operational analyses, ensuring analytic rigor, integration across relevant teams, and alignment with sponsor needs.
As the Operational Analysis Section Supervisor, you will…
Develop, lead, and retain a multidisciplinary team of analysts conducting operational analysis and mission risk assessments.
Oversee and guide analyses conducted by the team.
Serve as a technical contributor or project lead on selected efforts, leading by example in analytic rigor, integration, and communication.
Integrate operational analysis with mission engineering, modeling and simulation, adversary analysis, and future concepts teams within NSAD.
Ensure the timeliness and quality of the analysts’ work—to include their analytic approach, their interactions with colleagues, sponsors, and project team members, and their written and presentation products.
Mentor and coach section members; develop analytic judgment, integration skills, and future leaders within the section.
Contribute to adoption of data-driven and AI-enabled analytic workflows where appropriate, balancing innovation with realism and sponsor trust.
Assist higher-level managers and mission area partners with strategic planning, development of new analytic opportunities, and sponsor engagement.
Support staff and task planning, interviewing and hiring, and conduct performance coaching throughout the year.

Requirements

• Have a Master’s degree (or higher) in a relevant field such as operations research, physical sciences, engineering, economics, social sciences, or a related discipline.
• Have experience conducting or leading national security analyses focused on operations, mission risk, force structure, readiness, or sustainment.
• Have experience integrating analysis with modeling and simulation efforts.
• Have demonstrated experience applying a DOTMLPF or equivalent framework to complex operational problems and new capabilities.
• Have project leadership experience for analytic efforts from formulation through execution, including determination of analytic approach, team building, sponsor engagement, and delivery of results.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience briefing senior sponsors and stakeholders.
• Have demonstrated ability to collaborate across organizations and analytic disciplines.
• Have demonstrated sound judgment in complex, ambiguous, and high-consequence analytic environments.
• Are willing and able to travel to the Pentagon on an occasional basis.
• Hold an active Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

• Have a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant analytic or technical discipline.
• Have prior supervisory experience or demonstrated experience leading or mentoring multidisciplinary analytic teams.
• Have experience advancing data-driven or AI-enabled analytic approaches.
• Have experience leveraging data-driven or AI-enabled tools to enhance analytic insight while maintaining operational realism.
• Have an active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and retain a multidisciplinary team of analysts conducting operational analysis and mission risk assessments.
• Oversee and guide analyses conducted by the team.
• Serve as a technical contributor or project lead on selected efforts, leading by example in analytic rigor, integration, and communication.
• Integrate operational analysis with mission engineering, modeling and simulation, adversary analysis, and future concepts teams within NSAD.
• Ensure the timeliness and quality of the analysts’ work—to include their analytic approach, their interactions with colleagues, sponsors, and project team members, and their written and presentation products.
• Mentor and coach section members; develop analytic judgment, integration skills, and future leaders within the section.
• Contribute to adoption of data-driven and AI-enabled analytic workflows where appropriate, balancing innovation with realism and sponsor trust.
• Assist higher-level managers and mission area partners with strategic planning, development of new analytic opportunities, and sponsor engagement.
• Support staff and task planning, interviewing and hiring, and conduct performance coaching throughout the year.

Benefits

• We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
• Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager