Research Analyst Jobs in Virginia
Research Analyst jobs in Virginia are consistently active, with strong demand from entry-level through senior roles concentrated in defense and intelligence contracting, federal policy research, financial services, and healthcare analytics. The densest hiring is in the Northern Virginia corridor, Richmond, and Arlington, where major employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and the MITRE Corporation maintain large research-facing workforces. The most sought-after specialties are quantitative and data analysis, policy research, and market intelligence. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 60+ Research Analyst jobs
Status: This position is contingent upon contract award.
Overview
Prevailance is seeking an Operations Research Senior Analyst to support North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) Capability Development Management Support (CMDS) in Norfolk, Virginia. This position is expected to work on-site and may require up to 60 days of travel annually.
The Operations Research Senior Analyst applies Operations Research (OR) and Operational Analysis (OA) methods to support NATO capability development and programmatic decision-making. This position conducts qualitative and quantitative assessments of operational effectiveness, cost, risk, and schedule; develops comparative analyses of potential courses of action; and produces analytical reports and decision briefs supporting senior leaders and NATO capability development activities.
Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:
- Conduct Course of Action analyses using Operations Research and Operational Analysis methods to support capability development, mature NATO capability requirements, and inform programmatic direction
- Plan and conduct qualitative and quantitative assessments of operational effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness and risk-benefit analyses
- Engage with NATO and national research organizations and industry to assess the operational effectiveness of potential alternatives
- Participate in engagements and workshops with NATO, national organizations, and industry supporting cost estimation and analytical activities
- Develop Requests for Information (RFIs) and surveys for NATO nations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and industry
- Analyze individual and aggregated risks and develop potential risk-management approaches
- Elicit, review, and assess schedule estimates and supporting evidence used in analytical decision-making
- Review and assess cost estimates, methodologies, and supporting evidence
- Develop and document comparative assessments of cost, risk, schedule, and operational effectiveness to inform programmatic decisions
- Develop decision briefs and presentations explaining analytical methodologies, rationale, and outcomes, and brief decision-makers as required
- Produce analytical reports supporting Capability Program plan evidence packages for review with NATO Headquarters stakeholders
- Document lessons identified and lessons learned to support continuous improvement of NATO capability development and Operational Analysis practices
Qualifications
- Minimum two examples within the last 10 years, totaling at least 3 years of combined experience, performing military Operations Research, Operational Analysis, or Data Science supporting policy development, capability development, or acquisition
- Experience designing, leading, and facilitating structured stakeholder engagements to elicit objectives, assumptions, measures, risks, preferences, and expert judgment in support of defense capability decisions
- Experience engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders across multiple levels of seniority
- Experience within the last 5 years determining OR/OA requirements, scoping analytical problems, developing analysis plans, and delivering high-quality analytical outputs that influence senior decision-makers
- Experience developing data collection and analysis plans or assessment frameworks incorporating Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs) and Measures of Performance (MOPs)
- Experience gathering evidence and assessing effectiveness using Operations Research and Operational Analysis methods applied to defense-domain issues
- Experience identifying, eliciting, assessing, analyzing, and communicating uncertainty and risk associated with capability/acquisition, project, program, or portfolio decisions
- Demonstrated experience producing or working with cost and schedule estimates, including associated estimating methodologies, methods, and processes
- Experience working within a strategic or operational military command or multinational organization
- Experience within the last 10 years supporting project, program, and/or portfolio decisions through analytical assessment in complex and dynamic program environments
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and collaborative software
- Demonstrated English-language proficiency equivalent to STANAG 6001 SLP 3333
- Valid passport from a NATO member nation with no travel restrictions to NATO nations
Education
-
Must satisfy one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or an equivalent quantitative discipline; or
- At least 5 years of Operations Research/Operational Analysis experience conducting and leading analytical studies in a relevant military, strategic, political, or international environment
Clearance
- Must possess and maintain an active NATO SECRET or National SECRET (or higher) security clearance
Preferred
- Experience using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support Operational Analysis, including tailoring AI models and OA approaches to accelerate analytical delivery while maintaining quality
At Prevailance, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, financial well-being, and work-life balance of our employees and their families.
- Medical + Dental + Vision
- Personal Time Off (PTO)
- 11 Paid Holidays
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Matching Contributions
- Life & Disability Insurance
-
Supplemental Health Benefits
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- TRICARE Supplement Insurance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Computing Device Reimbursement Program
Status: This position is contingent upon contract award.
Overview
Prevailance is seeking an Operations Research Senior Analyst to support North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) Capability Development Management Support (CMDS) in Norfolk, Virginia. This position is expected to work on-site and may require up to 60 days of travel annually.
The Operations Research Senior Analyst applies Operations Research (OR) and Operational Analysis (OA) methods to support NATO capability development and programmatic decision-making. This position conducts qualitative and quantitative assessments of operational effectiveness, cost, risk, and schedule; develops comparative analyses of potential courses of action; and produces analytical reports and decision briefs supporting senior leaders and NATO capability development activities.
Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:
- Conduct Course of Action analyses using Operations Research and Operational Analysis methods to support capability development, mature NATO capability requirements, and inform programmatic direction
- Plan and conduct qualitative and quantitative assessments of operational effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness and risk-benefit analyses
- Engage with NATO and national research organizations and industry to assess the operational effectiveness of potential alternatives
- Participate in engagements and workshops with NATO, national organizations, and industry supporting cost estimation and analytical activities
- Develop Requests for Information (RFIs) and surveys for NATO nations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and industry
- Analyze individual and aggregated risks and develop potential risk-management approaches
- Elicit, review, and assess schedule estimates and supporting evidence used in analytical decision-making
- Review and assess cost estimates, methodologies, and supporting evidence
- Develop and document comparative assessments of cost, risk, schedule, and operational effectiveness to inform programmatic decisions
- Develop decision briefs and presentations explaining analytical methodologies, rationale, and outcomes, and brief decision-makers as required
- Produce analytical reports supporting Capability Program plan evidence packages for review with NATO Headquarters stakeholders
- Document lessons identified and lessons learned to support continuous improvement of NATO capability development and Operational Analysis practices
Qualifications
- Minimum two examples within the last 10 years, totaling at least 3 years of combined experience, performing military Operations Research, Operational Analysis, or Data Science supporting policy development, capability development, or acquisition
- Experience designing, leading, and facilitating structured stakeholder engagements to elicit objectives, assumptions, measures, risks, preferences, and expert judgment in support of defense capability decisions
- Experience engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders across multiple levels of seniority
- Experience within the last 5 years determining OR/OA requirements, scoping analytical problems, developing analysis plans, and delivering high-quality analytical outputs that influence senior decision-makers
- Experience developing data collection and analysis plans or assessment frameworks incorporating Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs) and Measures of Performance (MOPs)
- Experience gathering evidence and assessing effectiveness using Operations Research and Operational Analysis methods applied to defense-domain issues
- Experience identifying, eliciting, assessing, analyzing, and communicating uncertainty and risk associated with capability/acquisition, project, program, or portfolio decisions
- Demonstrated experience producing or working with cost and schedule estimates, including associated estimating methodologies, methods, and processes
- Experience working within a strategic or operational military command or multinational organization
- Experience within the last 10 years supporting project, program, and/or portfolio decisions through analytical assessment in complex and dynamic program environments
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and collaborative software
- Demonstrated English-language proficiency equivalent to STANAG 6001 SLP 3333
- Valid passport from a NATO member nation with no travel restrictions to NATO nations
Education
-
Must satisfy one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or an equivalent quantitative discipline; or
- At least 5 years of Operations Research/Operational Analysis experience conducting and leading analytical studies in a relevant military, strategic, political, or international environment
Clearance
- Must possess and maintain an active NATO SECRET or National SECRET (or higher) security clearance
Preferred
- Experience using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support Operational Analysis, including tailoring AI models and OA approaches to accelerate analytical delivery while maintaining quality
At Prevailance, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, financial well-being, and work-life balance of our employees and their families.
- Medical + Dental + Vision
- Personal Time Off (PTO)
- 11 Paid Holidays
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Matching Contributions
- Life & Disability Insurance
-
Supplemental Health Benefits
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- TRICARE Supplement Insurance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Computing Device Reimbursement Program
See All 60 Research Analyst Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Analyst JobsResearch Analyst Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Analyst Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Institute for Defense Analyses10
- Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA)8
- MITRE2
- Hatalom2
- MANTECH2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research analyst jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in economics, political science, statistics, or a related analytical field
- Proficiency in statistical software such as R, Python, SAS, or SPSS for data analysis
- Experience designing and executing primary or secondary research studies
- Strong written communication skills for producing reports, briefs, and presentations
- Familiarity with federal data sources, government databases, or industry market data
- Ability to obtain or maintain a security clearance for defense and intelligence roles
Research Analyst Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research analyst in Virginia?
Most research analyst roles in Virginia require a bachelor's degree in a quantitative or social-science field, though many federal contracting and policy positions prefer a master's degree. Virginia has no state-issued license specific to research analysts, so hiring decisions center on demonstrated analytical skills, relevant coursework, and domain knowledge. Candidates targeting defense or intelligence work should be prepared for the security clearance process, while those in financial research may pursue CFA candidacy to strengthen their profile.
How much do research analysts make in Virginia?
Research analysts in Virginia earn a median of about $92,930 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $52,240 for the lowest 10% to over $148,700 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research analysts in Virginia?
Employers hiring research analysts in Virginia right now include Institute for Defense Analyses, Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA), and MITRE, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal contractors and government-adjacent think tanks means many of these positions involve policy, defense, or public-sector research.
Which Virginia cities have the most research analyst jobs?
Alexandria, Arlington, and Quantico have the most research analyst openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia and Arlington drive volume through their dense cluster of federal agencies, defense contractors, and consulting firms, while Richmond anchors hiring in financial services, health systems, and state government research functions.
Are there remote research analyst jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields. Research analysis is fundamentally desk-based and data-driven, making it well suited to remote and hybrid arrangements. About 42% of research analyst openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting broad employer flexibility for this role. Secondary research, data modeling, and report writing are the tasks most consistently performed off-site, while stakeholder interviews and classified-environment work typically require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a research analyst in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to analyst internship or junior analyst programs at large Virginia federal contractors such as Booz Allen Hamilton, MITRE, or Leidos, all of which recruit new graduates. Adjacent roles like research assistant, data coordinator, or policy assistant at Virginia universities, state agencies, or think tanks in the Richmond or Northern Virginia area provide a direct bridge. Building a portfolio of independent data projects or obtaining a Google Data Analytics or similar certificate strengthens candidacy before the first full-time application.
Where can I find and apply to research analyst jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to research analyst jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 60 Research Analyst Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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