Operations Research / Systems Analyst (ORSA) - Optimization & Mathematical Programming at SMX

<div class="ui-form-item ui-form-item-horizontal" data-direction="horizontal"> <div class="ui-form-field lifesuite__rte--display"> <div class="ui-form-field lifesuite__rte--display"> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="m-b break-word ng-scope"> <div class="ng-scope"> <div><span class="pre-wrap ng-binding ng-scope">The Operations Research (OR) Analyst - Optimization &amp; Mathematical Programming Focus provides advanced optimization, resource allocation, and prescriptive analytics across a Federal Agency's personnel vetting, industrial security, and counterintelligence operations. This position formulates and solves complex mathematical programming problems that enable the Federal Agency to optimize resource deployment, prioritize competing requirements, and transition from reactive decision-making toward mathematically grounded, optimal resource allocation strategies.</span></div> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Essential Duties and Responsibilities</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mathematical Optimization &amp; Resource Allocation</span></p> <ul> <li>Formulate real-world resource allocation problems as mathematical optimization models (linear programming, integer programming, mixed-integer programming)</li> <li>Develop and implement optimization algorithms for complex assignment problems including adjudicator workload distribution, facility inspection scheduling, and investigator allocation</li> <li>Apply constraint programming and heuristic methods to solve large-scale, computationally challenging optimization problems</li> <li>Build decision support tools that enable operational leaders to explore tradeoffs and make resource deployment decisions with mathematical rigor</li> </ul> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Strategic Analysis &amp; Decision Support</span></p> <ul> <li>Conduct cost-benefit analyses and apply mathematical programming techniques to optimize the distribution of personnel, budgetary, and operational resources across competing requirements</li> <li>Apply risk-based optimization to prioritize facility assessments, case assignments, and inspection schedules based on threat levels and resource constraints</li> <li>Perform trade-space analysis and sensitivity studies to understand how optimal solutions change under different assumptions, constraints, or objectives</li> <li>Develop multi-objective optimization approaches that balance competing goals (speed, quality, cost, risk mitigation)</li> </ul> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Model Development &amp; Implementation</span></p> <ul> <li>Utilize optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX, or open-source alternatives like Pyomo, PuLP, OR-Tools) to implement and solve mathematical models</li> <li>Validate optimization model outputs against historical operational data and subject matter expert judgment</li> <li>Develop prescriptive analytics that recommend specific actions based on optimization results</li> <li>Create scenario planning tools that allow decision-makers to explore "what-if" questions regarding resource allocation strategies</li> </ul> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Collaboration &amp; Communication</span></p> <ul> <li>Work closely with modeling/simulation specialists to incorporate predictive analytics into optimization formulations</li> <li>Partner with data engineering specialists to obtain empirically-grounded parameters, constraints, and objective function coefficients</li> <li>Translate mathematical optimization results into clear, actionable recommendations for non-technical decision-makers</li> <li>Present optimization approaches, tradeoff analyses, and recommendations to senior leadership</li> <li>Participate in cross-functional team activities to maintain technical standards and share knowledge</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Required Skills &amp; Experience</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}">&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li>8+ years of progressive, hands-on operations research experience, including demonstrated application of mathematical optimization, resource allocation modeling, and prescriptive analytics to real-world operational problems</li> <li>3–5 years of that experience supporting DoD or Intelligence Community mission areas such as personnel vetting, industrial security (NISP), counterintelligence, or insider threat</li> <li>Expert-level proficiency in mathematical optimization including linear programming, integer programming, and mixed-integer programming</li> <li>Hands-on experience with optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX, FICO Xpress, or open-source alternatives such as Pyomo, PuLP, OR-Tools, COIN-OR)</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to formulate real-world problems as mathematical programs, including objective function design and constraint identification</li> <li>Proven proficiency in an analytical programming language (Python or R), with emphasis on optimization modeling libraries</li> <li>Experience with constraint programming and heuristic solution methods for large-scale or computationally difficult problems</li> <li>Strong foundation in algorithm design, computational complexity, and solution methods</li> <li>Ability to validate optimization models using operational data and communicate results to non-technical stakeholders</li> <li>Experience working in secure (classified) government environments</li> <li>Secret clearance required (active or ability to obtain)</li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Desired Skills &amp; Experience</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}">&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li>Advanced degree in Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Management Science, or a related quantitative discipline</li> <li>Familiarity with NISP, clearance adjudication processes, and/or insider threat/counterintelligence analytic frameworks</li> <li>Experience with nonlinear optimization and stochastic optimization techniques</li> <li>Knowledge of multi-objective optimization and Pareto analysis</li> <li>Network optimization and graph algorithms (shortest path, max flow, matching problems)</li> <li>Experience with scheduling and routing problems (job shop scheduling, vehicle routing)</li> <li>Familiarity with game theory and decision analysis under uncertainty</li> <li>Knowledge of operations research software (AMPL, GAMS)</li> <li>Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) for communicating optimization results</li> <li>SQL and database querying skills to support model parameterization</li> <li>Knowledge of queueing theory and simulation to better integrate with modeling specialists</li> <li>Experience with statistical modeling and risk analysis to inform optimization formulations</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>&nbsp;</p> <hr> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">The SMX salary determination process takes into account a number of factors, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories, relevant prior work experience, specific skills, education and certifications. At SMX, one of our Core Values is to Invest in Our People so we offer a competitive mix of compensation, learning &amp; development opportunities, and benefits. Some key components of our robust benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement.</span></p></div><div class="title">The proposed salary for this position is:</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$123,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$206,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>At SMX®, we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.</p> <p>We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what’s possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.</p> <p>SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans.</p> <p><span data-teams="true"><span id="message-body-1758638857922" class="fui-ChatMyMessage__body rcngbzt ___eyw0iv0 f10pi13n ftqa4ok f2hkw1w f8hki3x f1d2448m f1bjia2o ffh67wi f1j6vpng f1pniga2 f987i1v f1ffjurs f15bsgw9 f14e48fq f18yb2kv fd6o370 ffwy5si f3znvyf f57olzd f4stah7 f480a47 fs1por5 fk6fouc figsok6 fkhj508 f19n0e5 f9ijwd5 fzqqayd f10ostut f1o0qvyv f9ggezi f1xp5gbu f150uoa4 ffyari3 fo7qwa0 f16xkysk fxowb0n f11ghf3q f13aoclr flypziy f10kwr27 fquw1qa fftr39l f13lathq f15hsm81 f2ss68y ffb60jq f8nuap2 f13nk4fk f7jacry fq08z5q fd9af6s fr74w9q fcl9uv6 f13sm7pj f1u6qqly f16wpxbl faim3u9 f6cs3qo fa2w2z3 fd39nx6 f10gn8j9 frcqmxy f1w9ws4k f1ddxkqj fd10euv fvuz61 f1nbc6gw"><span id="content-1758638857922" class="fui-Primitive ___16zla5h f1oy3dpc fqtknz5 fyvcxda"></span></span></span></p> <div id="x_Signature"></div> <p>Selected applicant may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification.</p> <p>SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1 and O-1, or any EADs or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).</p></div>