Policy Analyst

Job Description

SAIC has an immediate opening for an Emerging Issues Policy Analyst supporting the Headquarters Department of the Air Force, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration (AF/A10), Policy and Strategy Division. The successful candidate will support AF/A10’s emerging issues research portfolio, providing timely, high‑quality analysis to senior Air Force and DoW decision makers. Work will be performed onsite in Arlington, VA and/or Joint Base Anacostia Bolling.

Responsibilities

The Emerging Issues Policy Analyst will

• Provide analysis, research, and scholarly material on emerging issues related to strategic deterrence, including, but not limited to:
• Deterrence policy, strategy, planning, and doctrine
• Arms control and nonproliferation
• Nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3)
• Countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) and proliferation prevention
• Active and passive defense, counterforce, and consequence management
• Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense and nuclear mission capabilities
• (Candidates may have experience with some of the above or other relevant topics; candidates do not need to have experience with all topics)
• Conduct research to discover, assess, and synthesize new or expanded knowledge from multiple disciplines that contribute to understanding 21st‑century deterrence.
• Respond to short‑notice taskings, providing focused, concise analysis of emerging issues of interest to Air Force leadership.
• Provide ad hoc support to exercises, workshops, and studies that inform new Air Force deterrence concepts, operating concepts (CONOPs), and policy recommendations.
• Develop and deliver clear, compelling analytic products (briefings, reports, papers, and talking points) tailored for general officer and senior civilian audiences.

Required Experience/Skills

• U.S. Citizenship and an active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree and one year of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated superior research and analytic skills, including the ability to frame questions, identify sources, and rigorously assess evidence.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience presenting complex issues to senior audiences.
• Proven ability to organize and distill extensive qualitative and quantitative research into concise, well‑structured narrative products.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).

Desired Experience/Skills

• Top Secret clearance
• Demonstrated knowledge of Headquarters Air Force and/or Major Command (MAJCOM) staff processes (e.g., staffing, task management, coordination).
• Familiarity with deterrence and arms control literature and current debates in strategic studies.
• Understanding of military operations and planning, particularly Air Force nuclear operations, nuclear mission forces, and related concepts.
• Experience designing, executing, or analyzing wargames, tabletop exercises, or related analytical events.
• Knowledge of CBRN weapons and Air Force CWMD capabilities, operations, and policies.
• Prior experience supporting OSW, Joint Staff, Air Staff, or the intelligence community.