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Operations Research Analyst Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Operations Research Analyst information

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$43.1K

$101.6K

$134.8K

How much do operations research analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for operations research analyst in Virginia is $101,583.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,700.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operations research analyst?

To thrive as an Operations Research Analyst, you need strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills, typically supported by a degree in operations research, mathematics, engineering, or a related field. Proficiency with statistical analysis software, optimization tools like CPLEX or Gurobi, and programming languages such as Python or R is commonly required. Effective communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills help translate complex data into actionable recommendations for stakeholders. These abilities are crucial for delivering data-driven solutions that improve organizational efficiency and decision-making.

What are some common challenges operations research analysts face when translating analytical findings into actionable business strategies?

Operations Research Analysts often encounter challenges in communicating complex quantitative findings to stakeholders who may not have technical backgrounds. Bridging the gap between advanced mathematical models and practical business decisions requires strong communication skills and a deep understanding of the organization's objectives. Additionally, analysts may face resistance to change when proposing new, data-driven strategies, so being able to justify recommendations with clear, accessible insights is crucial. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams helps ensure solutions are both technically sound and aligned with operational realities.

What is the difference between Operations Research Analyst vs Data Analyst?

AspectOperations Research AnalystData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in operations research, mathematics, or related field; often certifications in analytics or optimizationBachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, or related field; certifications in data analysis or visualization
Work EnvironmentCorporate, government, or consulting firms focusing on optimization and decision-makingBusiness, marketing, finance, or healthcare sectors analyzing data trends
Employer & Industry UsageOrganizations seeking to improve operational efficiency and decision processesCompanies aiming to interpret data for strategic insights and reporting

Operations Research Analysts focus on optimizing complex systems and decision-making processes using mathematical models, while Data Analysts interpret data to identify trends and support business decisions. Both roles require analytical skills and often similar educational backgrounds, but their core functions differ in scope and application.

How much do operations research analysts make?

Operations research analysts in New York City typically earn a median annual salary of around $85,000 to $100,000, depending on experience and industry. Salaries can vary based on factors such as education, certifications, and the complexity of projects handled, with some earning over $120,000 in senior roles.

What is an operations research analyst?

An operations research analyst works with a company to analyze relevant data to improve business operations. Their primary duties involve setting goals, identifying potential problems, gathering pertinent information, and then using a variety of analytical methods to come up with solutions. The job requires strong analytical skills as well as the ability to think critically. Additional qualifications include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in operations research or management science, although many employers prefer a master’s degree. Those interested in a career as an operations research analyst must have research experience in an office setting.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Research Analyst jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Operations Research Analyst jobs in Virginia are:
What job categories do people searching Operations Research Analyst jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Operations Research Analyst jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Operations Research Analyst jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Operations Research Analyst job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Operations Research Analyst jobs in VA? For Operations Research Analyst jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Operations Research Analyst job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,583 per year, or $48.8 per hour.

OPERATIONS RESEARCH ANALYST

Secretary of the Navy Offices (SECNAV)

Arlington, VA • On-site, Remote

$121K - $187K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Summary
You will serve as a OPERATIONS RESEARCH ANALYST in the FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND COMPTROLLER (FM&C) of ASN.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • You will lead teams or provide significant contributions to the successful development of cost estimates to support Milestone decisions.
  • You will ensure cost estimates provide the key information in all cost, technical, schedule, and program categories to decision makers in a timely manner.
  • You will lead and develop credible cost estimates that consistently highlight key issues to senior leadership and ensure that they meet the statutory and regulatory requirements for independent analysis.
  • You will develop a comprehensive data collection plan for each program reviewed, including all relevant cost and technical parameters and data sources.
  • You will actively participate in data collection efforts in support of program reviews.
  • You will build, improve, and maintain cost databases and tools for Acquisition Category I (ACAT) programs.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Generally, current federal employees applying for GS jobs must serve at least one year at the next lower grade level. This requirement is called time-in-grade. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • This position is covered under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). Certification in the Acquisition Functional Area and category assigned to the position is required within established category timeframes.
  • PCS, or relocation incentive, is not authorized for this position.

Qualifications
GS-13: In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience with preparing Independent Cost Estimates (ICE), and Independent Cost Assessments ICA) for acquisition programs that are large, complex and contain significant cost risk.
  • Experience with collecting and analyzing historical and programmatic data.
  • Experience performing risk, uncertainty, and sensitivity analysis to support acquisition decisions and budgeting.

GS-14: In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience planning and the organization and performance of a team in data collection, normalization, development of cost models and cost estimating.
  • Experience utilizing data analytics to transform information into actionable insights that drive and understand trends.
  • Experience leading teams or providing significant contributions to the successful development of cost estimates to support milestone decisions.
  • Experience performing risk, uncertainty, and sensitivity analysis to support acquisition decisions and budgeting.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
This a Defense Acquisition Workforce position that requires a Business Cost Estimating, Practitioner acquisition certification. The incumbent has 60 months to earn this certification. Incumbent must obtain and maintain certification in accordance with DoD Instruction 5000.66.
Acquisition Workforce (AWF) members must complete 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every two (2) years, in accordance with DoDI 5000.66. Workforce members are encouraged to earn their CLPs by completing Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Credentials. Obtaining certification within the allotted grace period and maintaining CLPs before and after achieving certification are conditions of employment. Failure to meet these requirements could result in disciplinary action and/or removal from employment.

Education
Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Applicants must possess a degree in operations research
OR
at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.

Additional information
Salary Range:
GS 13: $121,785 - $158,322
GS 14: $143,913 - $187,093
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.
During the application process you will have the ability to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions in the local commuting area. Depending on the hiring organization and the position being filled, job requirements (e.g., security clearance, travel, drug testing, financial disclosure filing, bargaining unit status, etc.) may vary. Other hiring managers filling similar positions may offer relocation expense reimbursement and/or may offer recruitment incentives for new employees, depending on funding availability and in accordance with policy. If you opt-in and are referred on a certificate, your resume will be available to other hiring managers for 180-days from the date the job announcement closes. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf
PPP applicants will be placed at the FPL, if determined Well Qualified (WQ). To receive priority consideration, the FPL must be the same grade level or equivalent of the retained grade or the grade held immediately prior to separation.
ICTAP Applicants: To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority as an ICTAP candidate, displaced Federal employees must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a rating in the highly qualified category (score 85) or higher. ICTAP candidates must provide copies of all of the following documentation at the time of application: 1) agency notice; 2) most recent performance appraisal; and 3) most recent SF-50 or notification of personnel action that includes position, grade level, and duty location. Applicants who do not provide this documentation will not receive consideration as an ICTAP candidate. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/
Military Spouse Preference applicants will be placed at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined Best Qualified (BQ). A BQ military spouse possesses knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies comparable to others who meet the competitive referral criteria for the specific position.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.