SENIOR Operations Research Analyst OR OA at Heartland Consulting in Groton, CT, USA

Job description

• Heartland Consulting is hiring a Senior Operations Research Analyst to sit on-site with Commander, Submarine Group Two (COMSUBGRU TWO) in its role as Theater Undersea Warfare Commander (TUSWC) for U.S. Second Fleet. The analyst is the command's embedded OA/OR capability - the person who finds where analysis can improve TUSWC planning, builds the methods, trains the staff to use them, and leaves behind documented processes the watch floor can run without the contractor in the room.
• This is not a remote study contract and not a generic "data analyst" seat. You will work in a classified Navy staff environment, handle operational data, brief seniors (including flag-level audiences), and institutionalize operations-analysis methods for maritime homeland defense and theater undersea warfare.
• Heartland is the incumbent on this effort. The current analyst is in the seat today. We are recruiting the successor now so the command has a clean, qualified handoff and no gap in on-site support.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site operations analysis / operations research support to the TUSWC staff at COMSUBGRU TWO.
• Identify opportunities to insert OA/OR into the TUSWC planning process and improve operational effectiveness.
• Collect, clean, manage, and employ operational datasets for trend analysis and predictive analytics.
• Formulate and solve optimization problems (linear, nonlinear, network, and integer programming) that inform planning choices.
• Build and use stochastic models (Markov chains, Poisson processes, queueing, renewal processes) and simulation with design-of-experiments techniques.
• Apply systems analysis, including risk-benefit and cost-benefit analysis, to deployment, requirements, and course-of-action questions.
• Employ OA/OR tools in live TUSWC planning and operations - not only after-action studies.
• Develop and document methods, processes, and procedures the TUSWC staff can implement.
• Train TUSWC staff on those methods and leave behind usable SOPs, briefs, and implementation products.
• Liaise with other TUSWC staffs, OA/OR subject-matter experts, and tool developers.
• Deliver the contract products: OA/OR Support Plan Brief (30 days after award), monthly progress and financial status reports, interim progress reviews, a final annotated brief, and a Final OA/OR Implementation Plan.
• Brief results independently, in writing and orally, including annotated PowerPoint for senior leadership with read-aheads.

Requirements

• These are the contract minimums. Candidates who do not meet them cannot be placed on this task.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Operations Research or Operations Analysis. (The contract is specific - related degrees such as mathematics, statistics, or engineering do not substitute for this requirement.)
• Preferred: Master of Science in Operations Research or Operations Analysis (NPS Curriculum 360 / 355 or civilian equivalent).
• Experience: Ten (10) years applying operations research / operations analysis to Navy warfighting analysis.
• Demonstrated skill in mathematics and computation, including programming for complex analysis, algorithm development, and simulation.
• Demonstrated skill in data preparation (collect, clean, manipulate) and statistical / probability analysis of decision problems.
• Demonstrated skill in optimization, stochastic modeling, simulation with design of experiments, and systems analysis.
• Proven ability to conduct independent analysis and present results orally and in writing to operational customers.
• Clearance: Active Top Secret / SCI. U.S. citizenship required. Ability to obtain NATO briefings after hire. Must be eligible for a DISS Visit Access Request to COMSUBGRU TWO.
• Ability to work full-time on-site at NSA Hampton Roads / Naval Station Norfolk (Building NH-13 / TUSWC spaces). No remote option for this seat.
• Navy 3211P / 3211Q operations-analysis subspecialty, or equivalent civilian utilization tour at a Fleet, TYCOM, numbered-fleet, OPNAV N81, UWDC Tactical Analysis Group, CNA field, NUWC, or TUSWC staff.
• Direct undersea warfare, theater ASW, maritime homeland defense, or submarine-force staff experience.
• Prior on-site embed at a Navy operational staff (not only laboratory or headquarters studies).
• Experience training operators or staff officers on analytic methods and leaving durable process documentation.
• Familiarity with SIPRNet collaboration, OPSEC, and handling of classified / CUI / PPBE data.
• Tools such as Python, R, MATLAB, Julia, or equivalent; optimization solvers; discrete-event or combat simulation; and standard Navy briefing products.
• Experience briefing O-6 / flag / SES audiences.

Skills

Required

• Mathematics and computation
• Programming for complex analysis
• Algorithm development
• Simulation
• Statistical / probability analysis
• Optimization
• Stochastic modeling
• Design of experiments
• Systems analysis
• Independent analysis
• Oral and written presentation
• Active Top Secret / SCI clearance

Preferred

• On-site embed at Navy operational staff
• Python, R, MATLAB, Julia, or equivalent
• Optimization solvers
• Discrete-event or combat simulation
• Navy briefing products
• Briefing O-6 / flag / SES audiences

Benefits

• Final Compensation is based on Education and Experience.
• Compensation is competitive for a TS/SCI, on-site Navy warfighting OR seat in Hampton Roads and is commensurate with education, clearance, and directly relevant experience. Heartland typically provides:
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and paid federal holidays
• Support for professional affiliations (MORS, INFORMS) when mission allows
• Final offer depends on qualifications, clearance currency, and start-date availability. Target start is aligned to contract award / 29 September 2026, with an earlier overlap preferred so the outgoing analyst can conduct a structured turnover.