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.