Overview:
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. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted. The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues. SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future. We have an immediate need for a Tech SETA – Radio Frequency (RF) and Radar to provide onsite support out of Arlington, VA.
Responsibilities:
The DARPA Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO) is seeking experienced Technical SETA candidates to provide onsite support in the areas of advanced signal processing and applied computation in heterogeneous complex systems at-Scale. Will provide expert technical advice and guidance to the government on all aspects of technology development for RF systems design and operations for airborne and spaceborne systems. Support and monitor technical performance of researchers from industry and academia in integration, testing, prototype deployment, and transition of technologies related to collaborative and distributed radar systems. This includes deep technical understanding of transmissions across the radio frequency spectrum, modeling approaches to support system design, as well as front-end hardware (power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, and transmitter/receiver modules). Will be responsible for supporting meetings/technical exchanges, assessing research performer technical progress, characterizing and supporting evaluation of technology approaches, and ensuring that project management best practices are followed by research entities. Prepare and deliver technical reports, briefings, and presentations to government officials and technology transition stakeholders. Scope of work to include new program support with responsibilities for ensuring that new programs are compelling from a technical perspective and strategically grounded in alignment with agency and office-level visions. Apply expertise in navigating the new start process, evaluating program concepts, providing actionable input, and meaningfully strengthening pipeline concepts. Tasks include military needs analyses, assessments of research base states-of-the-art, trade studies, sensitivity analyses, program scope/change impact assessments, technical monitoring, and reporting upon results and development of recommendations for compelling paths forward.
Qualifications
Required:- Degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics or a related discipline 5-7+ years of relevant experience with radar systems & engineering design for sensor systems that operate with some degree of automation
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Technical understanding of transmissions across the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, RF system design, and RF modeling for airborne and space-based RF systems
- Familiarity with general systems engineering principles for complex systems development
- An exceptional degree of initiative, excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and reliability
- Commitment to excellence and attention to detail on assignments of a varied, diverse, and sometimes difficult nature amidst challenging deadlines and operational time constraints
- Excellent interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills with the ability to develop and cultivate effective working relationships with staff, peers, stakeholders, and the DARPA Program Manager in a team environment
- Strong organization and communication skills, particularly in technical writing and briefing preparations with the ability to effectively convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative as a self-starter in an extremely dynamic environment, while achieving team goals
- Must possess an understanding and extreme intellectual command of the technical baseline on a program-by-program basis for efforts within a portfolio
- Experience interfacing with non-technical stakeholders and in communicating technical challenges, progress, and limitations at varying levels of abstraction
- Experience working in classified settings with Special Access Programs (SAPs); experience working across security environments with stakeholders from across the Defense Industrial BaseAble to work fully onsite, based on client needs
- Desired: Advanced degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, or a related discipline Experience in performing research and developing innovative technologies at a rapid pace in response to emerging threats
- Experience in directly engaging with government transition partners (within the DoD and/or intelligence community)
- Experience building systems for complex, Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL), contested, and non-benign operating environments
At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent.
Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. VA Pay Transparency Salary range: $190k-$250KPay Range Information
At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $190,000.00/Yr. - USD $250,000.00/Yr.
Job SummaryID: 2026-22864
Category: Engineering & Technical Services
Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret/ SCI
Type: Regular Full-Time
Level: Senior
