Systems Planning and Analysis
Provides data-driven national security analytics
Multi-Domain & Joint Effects Integration Program Analyst
Fully on-site in Norfolk, VA; travel to meetings and conferences may be required for up to 40 days per year.
About the job
- A Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Aeronautics, Operations Research, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline; a Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of relevant professional experience may be substituted.
- At least 3 years of experience within the last 10 years briefing senior leaders and/or decision-makers.
- At least 5 years of operational experience within the last 12 years in the integration and synchronization of effects, particularly Non-Kinetic/Non-Lethal effects, at the Joint or Strategic-level staff.
- Experience with military effects Planning, Command and Control, and Integration, such as J3 or J5 experience within a NATO or National Headquarters, either as a military officer or civilian.
- At least 2 years of Program/Project Management experience within the last 10 years in a complex and dynamic environment, with a focus on military capability development.
- At least 2 years of experience within the last 10 years working within a multinational organization, such as the European Defence Agency, or within the NATO Command Structure or NATO Force Structure.
- Demonstrated familiarity with the role of NATO Agencies in system development.
- Active National or NATO Secret clearance.
- Valid active passport from a NATO Member Nation.
- Ability to work fully on-site in Norfolk, Virginia based on the client's needs.
- Support the development and delivery of Multi-Domain & Joint Effects capability products in accordance with NATO's governance model for common-funded capabilities.
- Support a through-life-cycle approach to capability development across the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, Facilities, and Interoperability lines of development.
- Support program management activities and engage with Multi-Domain & Joint Effects stakeholders at tactical through strategic levels.
- Provide methodological and analytical expertise to advance a holistic approach to Multi-Domain & Joint Effects capability development, particularly in Non-Kinetic/Non-Lethal Fires and Effects Integration.
- Support Multi-Domain & Joint Effects-related initiatives, including the Non-Kinetic & Kinetic Fires Integration Line of Effort and associated Beacon Projects.
- Support the elicitation, capture, development, analysis, evaluation, and traceability of higher- and lower-level requirements, including capability targets, operational requirements, system specifications, and interoperability requirements across the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, Facilities, and Interoperability lines of development.
- Contribute to the development, analysis, and review of policies, doctrines, directives, concepts of operation and employment, courses of action, and alternatives related to Multi-Domain & Joint Effects.
- Coordinate development and implementation across the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, Facilities, and Interoperability lines of development.
- Recommend courses of action to address capability development issues throughout the capability lifecycle.
- Maintain program status information within the electronic warfare development information-sharing and coordination environment.
- Collaborate with NATO Agencies and national and international military and civilian organizations, including Centers of Excellence and academia, to support capability development and validation.
- Organize and participate in workshops, seminars, conferences, and meetings.
- Identify lessons and best practices and contribute to organizational learning and continuous improvement.
- Provide ongoing support to the Joint Effects Capabilities Programme Director, Project Coordinators, and Joint Effects Integrator/Architect.
- Travel to meetings and conferences within and outside NATO boundaries for up to 40 days per year.
About the company
SPA helps the U.S. government make high-stakes national security decisions by using modeling, simulation, and rigorous analysis. It builds data-driven analyses and forecasts outcomes for programs across the Navy, DoD, Homeland Security, and Energy, including space systems, cyber, and undersea warfare. It differentiates itself through decades of government-focused work, strategic acquisitions (MCR Federal, Intrepid, Group W), and an Office of Innovation that expands capabilities in AI, data science, and digital engineering. Its goal is to deliver accurate analyses and new capabilities quickly to guide defense investments and programs.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
$20.1M
Headquarters
Alexandria, Virginia
Founded
1972
Get referred to Systems Planning and Analysis
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- SPA won a $151 million DARPA I2O SETA contract in January 2026.
- Virginia approved SPA’s $46.9 million expansion, targeting 1,200 jobs by 2030.
- SPA expanded into OUSW R&E in March 2026, broadening beyond naval work.
What critics are saying
- SPA depends on federal defense budgets, with NNSA and DARPA contracts dominating 2026 growth.
- Arlington Capital’s ownership pressures SPA for bolt-on acquisitions, integration, and margin discipline.
- Losing TRIDENT support would gut SPA’s legacy moat and trigger cascading contract losses.
What makes Systems Planning and Analysis unique
- SPA owns deep Navy Strategic Systems Programs roots, including 2026 Trident II support renewals.
- Its 2026 fellows program formalizes elite expertise in AI, cloud, and wargaming.
- Raj Badhwar’s CIO mandate links secure enterprise IT to mission delivery and acquisitions.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Health Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 27%1 year growth
↑ 27%2 year growth
↑ 27%Systems Planning & Analysis, an independent provider of analytical insights for national security programmes, has appointed four new Fellows to advance its technical capabilities across key domains. The appointments expand SPA's expertise in software engineering, DevSecOps and cloud, applied artificial intelligence, and digital wargaming. The newly appointed Fellows are Ian Harding (Software Engineering), Steven Hernandez (DevSecOps and Cloud), Amy Soller (Applied Artificial Intelligence), and Phillip Pournelle (Digital Wargaming). These senior subject matter experts will lead the development and integration of advanced capabilities across complex, multi-domain environments for national security clients. The appointments reinforce SPA's focus on accelerating mission-ready solutions, from scalable software systems and secure cloud architectures to AI applications and analytical wargaming tools that inform critical defence and intelligence decisions.
SPA taps Raj Badhwar as CIO. On January 28, Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) announced that Raj Badhwar has joined the company as chief information officer (CIO). Badhwar serves on SPA's executive leadership team and reports to Chief Executive Officer Rich Sawchak. As CIO, Badhwar leads SPA's enterprise information technology (IT) organization, including digital strategy, architecture, engineering, operations, data management, and business intelligence. He focuses on delivering secure, resilient, scalable technology, and cybersecurity platforms in close partnership with SPA's business and mission teams. "Raj brings deep expertise in cybersecurity, cloud, and enterprise IT that will be critical as SPA continues to grow and support increasingly complex national security missions. His leadership will help ensure our technology remains secure, modern, and aligned with both our customers' needs and our long-term strategy," Sawchak said. Badhwar's priorities include strengthening technology capabilities that support SPA's national security customers, increasing efficiency and scalability across the IT organization, and ensuring that technology investments align with mission delivery, business growth, and acquisition activities. "My work at SPA will center on ensuring technology directly supports mission outcomes for our national security customers. That means strengthening security and resilience, simplifying operations as we scale, and advancing our cloud, data, and cybersecurity capabilities in a disciplined and trusted way," noted Badhwar. Badhwar brings more than 30 years of experience leading secure technology and cybersecurity organizations across engineering, defense, financial services, and cloud platforms. Start 2026 ahead of the competition with a paid subscription to IC News. You'll get full access to its searchable archive of 15,000+ articles, plus new articles each weekday.
Systems Planning & Analysis has acquired Group W, a data science and defense analytics company that focuses on modeling, simulation and wargaming capabilities to the Defense Department.
SPA has acquired Group W, enhancing its capabilities in mission-critical modeling and simulation for defense. This acquisition unites SPA's analytical insights with Group W's expertise in data science and wargaming for the DoD. The merger aims to create a leading defense modeling and simulation company. Legal counsel for SPA was provided by Sheppard Mullin and Morrison Foerster, while Stout and Holland & Knight advised Group W. SPA is backed by Arlington Capital Partners.
On September 11, Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) announced a significant investment to expand its global headquarters in Alexandria and enhance its operational presence in Fairfax County.