Program Analyst - AUKUS Submarine Industrial Base

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. Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The AUKUS, Submarines, and Industrial Base Group (ASIG), within the Sea, Land, Air Division, provides timely, objective, analytic assessments that integrate technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis to NAVSEA Team Submarine program offices and key stakeholders surrounding submarine platform construction. Team Submarine unifies submarine platform procurement activities, which includes the Columbia-class SSBN program (a Major Defense Acquisition Program and the Navy's top acquisition priority), the Virginia-class SSN program and the new SSN-X program (developing the next generation attack submarine), to bring improved capabilities to our undersea forces. Analysts and Engineers supporting Team Submarine will continue SPA's decades of support to the SSBN force, as well as supporting oversight of cutting-edge attack submarine construction, assisting in developing the design requirements for the SSN platform of the future, and helping plan and execute new and innovative strategies to strengthen the critical submarine shipbuilding industrial base. These are high-profile, major acquisition and manufacturing programs of significant importance to the future capabilities of the US Navy in an era of renewed strategic competition.

SPA has an immediate need for a Program Analyst supporting industrial base analysis for AUKUS efforts in Alexandria, VA.

The Program Analyst will act as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to a high-profile client organization, with a focus on strengthening the submarine manufacturing industrial base in support of emerging AUKUS initiatives. This cross-functional role involves developing metrics, setting goals, capturing meeting outcomes, and supporting communication strategies within the AUKUS framework-both internally and among the trilateral partners.

The ideal candidate will bring knowledge of defense manufacturing and undersea warfare systems to help shape and implement strategies that advance the submarine supply chain and industrial capacity. This role requires navigating complex relationships across government and industry, managing planning and execution of key engagements, conducting detailed analysis, and supporting senior leader decision-making through clear, actionable reports and briefings.

This position is based out of SPA's Alexandria, VA HQ, with potential for light telework and some travel to client and stakeholder locations, including potential international travel.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, management or other relevant field
• 2+ years supporting defense manufacturing, Navy shipbuilding, or defense acquisition program initiatives, including project management experience
• Proven ability to navigate, coordinate, and communicate between government and private industry stakeholders
• Proven ability to use Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint, to perform data analysis and communicate to decision makers
• Current DoD security clearance - minimum Secret, with the ability to maintain it throughout employment

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working on Navy Undersea Warfare Systems, submarine, or other undersea related programs
• Direct experience working in defense manufacturing
• Experience supporting foreign military sales (FMS) and DoD Acquisition program(s)
• Experience developing or implementing advanced technology, supply chain, industrial base, or manufacturing improvement and risk reduction initiatives