Description
Overview
Working with us - Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) Australia
Systems Planning and Analysis Australia Pty Ltd (SPA Australia) provides senior decision makers within the Australian Department of Defence with timely and objective assessments affecting their capability employment and investment strategies. Our team of former military professionals and operations research analysts integrate military expertise with advanced analytic methods - including force generation modelling, agent-based tactical simulations, and operational mission analyses - to deliver trusted decision support that directly contributes to national security outcomes.
SPA Australia is seeking an entry level Operations Research Analyst who can work as part of an integrated team including military operational analysts to develop and utilise software models, simulations and other software tools to explore a diverse range of real-world problems in order to inform decision making.
Responsibilities
The Operations Research Analyst will apply strong analytical thinking and quantitative problem-solving skills to translate client requirements into structured analytical and modelling driven solutions. This includes designing approaches to ingest, process, model, and interpret datasets to support a variety of analysis tasks, with a focus on statistical techniques, and interoperability analysis. The role will initially involve working with unclassified representative datasets to prototype coding solutions (primarily in Python), which will later be refined and implemented within secure environments.
As security clearances are obtained, you will transition to working with classified material and contribute across a range of defence capability areas supported by SPA Australia. These include domains such as air, space and maritime systems, as well as emerging technologies like Remote and Autonomous Systems (RAS). This role is suited to candidates with backgrounds in mathematics, physics, statistics, engineering, or data science, and a strong interest in applying quantitative methods to defence and national security challenges.
Key Responsibilities
- Apply quantitative and statistical techniques to solve real‑world problems
- Learn, build and enhance analytical solutions using Python
- Develop and run modelling and simulation to support decision making
- Tackle complex problems with sharp analytical and critical thinking
- Collaborate effectively in high‑performing, multidisciplinary teams
- Rapidly learn new tools and drive continuous improvement through research and innovation
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, or Computer Science or similar STEM-related qualification or currently in your final year of study
- Prior experience or demonstrable aptitude for object-oriented model development, data science and data analysis
- Good ability to communicate with stakeholders and subject matter experts to inform problem definition
- Understand UML (Unified modelling languages) and system modelling languages such as MAFv4 and DoDAF
- Demonstrate aptitude for quantitative optimisation methods and design of experiments
- Prior experience or demonstrable aptitude for modelling and simulation
- Must be eligible to obtain an appropriate Australian security clearance
Note: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are applicable to this role and as such, the position will or is likely to require access to material controlled by ITAR and EAR (Controlled Material). Therefore, any person occupying the position must be able to satisfy ITAR and EAR controls, which may require specific authorisation to access Controlled Materials. Accordingly, your citizenship, previous citizenships, race or nationality, or substantive contacts where such contacts are affiliated with proscribed countries under ITAR may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. Further information on this requirement can be found at: https://spa.com/about/compliance-statements/. If you are concerned about whether you will satisfy the requirements of the role insofar as they relate to ITAR and EAR, you should contact Talent@spa.com, who will be able to provide you with relevant information.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Active Australian Government security clearance, Baseline or Negative Vetting (NV1). More information on eligibility for an Australian security clearance can be found at: https://www.defence.gov.au/security/clearances/about/vetting-assessment#eligibility.
The SPA Australia Difference
We believe work should be a positive part of your life. It should challenge, engage, and support you in equal measure. By joining SPA Australia, you will enjoy:
- Flexible working options
- Health and Wellbeing support
- Professional development
- Career progression pathways supporting your development and career goals
- The chance to give back to your community by working with our not-for-profit partners
Why SPA Australia
We offer a competitive salary package with options to earn on-the-job awards and bonuses, a collaborative team environment, a swag of benefits to support you and your colleagues, and the opportunity to do high-impact, meaningful work.
This role is ideal for someone with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a keen eye for detail, and confidence in report writing and stakeholder engagement. We're seeking a candidate who is passionate about modelling and simulation and/or analysing complex problems.
To find out more or to have a confidential discussion, please contact Loretta Pabian at careers@au.spa.com
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, or Computer Science or similar STEM-related qualification or currently in your final year of study
- Prior experience or demonstrable aptitude for object-oriented model development, data science and data analysis
- Good ability to communicate with stakeholders and subject matter experts to inform problem definition
- Understand UML (Unified modelling languages) and system modelling languages such as MAFv4 and DoDAF
- Demonstrate aptitude for quantitative optimisation methods and design of experiments
- Prior experience or demonstrable aptitude for modelling and simulation
- Must be eligible to obtain an appropriate Australian security clearance
Note: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are applicable to this role and as such, the position will or is likely to require access to material controlled by ITAR and EAR (Controlled Material). Therefore, any person occupying the position must be able to satisfy ITAR and EAR controls, which may require specific authorisation to access Controlled Materials. Accordingly, your citizenship, previous citizenships, race or nationality, or substantive contacts where such contacts are affiliated with proscribed countries under ITAR may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. Further information on this requirement can be found at: https://spa.com/about/compliance-statements/. If you are concerned about whether you will satisfy the requirements of the role insofar as they relate to ITAR and EAR, you should contact Talent@spa.com, who will be able to provide you with relevant information.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Active Australian Government security clearance, Baseline or Negative Vetting (NV1). More information on eligibility for an Australian security clearance can be found at: https://www.defence.gov.au/security/clearances/about/vetting-assessment#eligibility.
The SPA Australia Difference
We believe work should be a positive part of your life. It should challenge, engage, and support you in equal measure. By joining SPA Australia, you will enjoy:
- Flexible working options
- Health and Wellbeing support
- Professional development
- Career progression pathways supporting your development and career goals
- The chance to give back to your community by working with our not-for-profit partners
Why SPA Australia
We offer a competitive salary package with options to earn on-the-job awards and bonuses, a collaborative team environment, a swag of benefits to support you and your colleagues, and the opportunity to do high-impact, meaningful work.
This role is ideal for someone with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a keen eye for detail, and confidence in report writing and stakeholder engagement. We're seeking a candidate who is passionate about modelling and simulation and/or analysing complex problems.
To find out more or to have a confidential discussion, please contact Loretta Pabian at careers@au.spa.com
Responsibilities
The Operations Research Analyst will apply strong analytical thinking and quantitative problem-solving skills to translate client requirements into structured analytical and modelling driven solutions. This includes designing approaches to ingest, process, model, and interpret datasets to support a variety of analysis tasks, with a focus on statistical techniques, and interoperability analysis. The role will initially involve working with unclassified representative datasets to prototype coding solutions (primarily in Python), which will later be refined and implemented within secure environments.
As security clearances are obtained, you will transition to working with classified material and contribute across a range of defence capability areas supported by SPA Australia. These include domains such as air, space and maritime systems, as well as emerging technologies like Remote and Autonomous Systems (RAS). This role is suited to candidates with backgrounds in mathematics, physics, statistics, engineering, or data science, and a strong interest in applying quantitative methods to defence and national security challenges.
Key Responsibilities
- Apply quantitative and statistical techniques to solve real‑world problems
- Learn, build and enhance analytical solutions using Python
- Develop and run modelling and simulation to support decision making
- Tackle complex problems with sharp analytical and critical thinking
- Collaborate effectively in high‑performing, multidisciplinary teams
- Rapidly learn new tools and drive continuous improvement through research and innovation
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