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Temporary Operations Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$100 - $125/hr

The Temporary Research Assistant position is designed to assist lab staff in research and technical ... Specifically, incumbent will be involved in and assist with research and technical operations ...

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$38.5K

$93.8K

$151K

How much do temporary operations research jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary operations research in the United States is $93,804.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,500.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary operations research job?

Temporary Operations Research jobs involve short-term positions where professionals use mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and optimization techniques to help organizations solve complex problems and make better decisions. These roles may be project-based or cover for permanent staff on leave and often exist in sectors such as logistics, finance, healthcare, or manufacturing. Temporary Operations Research analysts typically gather and analyze data, develop models, and present actionable insights to improve processes or efficiency, all within a defined contract period.

What skills and qualifications are needed for a temporary operations research analyst?

To thrive as a Temporary Operations Research Analyst, you need strong analytical and mathematical skills, typically supported by a degree in operations research, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. Familiarity with optimization software, statistical analysis tools (such as SAS, R, or Python), and data visualization platforms is common. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication help you interpret complex data and deliver actionable insights to stakeholders. These competencies ensure you can efficiently analyze operations, recommend improvements, and support data-driven decision-making in a fast-paced, project-based environment.

What are common challenges faced by professionals in a temporary operations research role, and how can they prepare for them?

Temporary operations research professionals often need to quickly adapt to new teams and projects with limited onboarding time. They may be tasked with analyzing complex data sets or optimizing processes under tight deadlines. To succeed, it's helpful to have strong analytical skills, proficiency in relevant software (such as Python, R, or specialized optimization tools), and the ability to communicate findings clearly. Building rapport with permanent team members and proactively seeking context for ongoing projects can also ease the transition and maximize impact during the assignment.

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

AspectTemporary Operations ResearchTemporary Data Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, or related fields; often some certification in analytics or optimizationBachelor's or higher in Data Science, Statistics, or related fields; certifications in data analysis or visualization are common
Work EnvironmentProject-based, often in consulting or corporate settings, focusing on optimization and modelingOffice or remote, focusing on data collection, cleaning, and reporting
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, and consulting firmsCommon in finance, marketing, healthcare, and tech companies

Temporary Operations Research and Temporary Data Analyst roles share some skills in data handling and analysis but differ mainly in focus. Operations Research emphasizes optimization, modeling, and decision-making processes, while Data Analysts focus on data collection, visualization, and reporting. Both roles are project-based and often require similar educational backgrounds, but their industry applications and daily tasks vary significantly.

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What cities are hiring for Temporary Operations Research jobs?

Cities with the most Temporary Operations Research job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Research jobs?

The most popular types of Operations Research jobs are:

What states have the most Temporary Operations Research jobs?

States with the most job openings for Temporary Operations Research jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Temporary Operations Research jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Temporary Operations Research jobs are:

Infographic showing various Temporary Operations Research job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,804 per year, or $45.1 per hour.

Operations Research Analysis SME

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Systems Planning and Analysis
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

$180K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.  

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of War, Interagency Division (JOID) provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

The Critical Infrastructure Group (CIG) within JOID provides technical, programmatic, and analytical support to customers with missions in national security, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Group brings technical and operational expertise in fields such as countering weapons of mass destruction, critical infrastructure protection, emergency response, and transportation safety.

We have a future need for an Operations Research SME to assist with systems engineering (SE) and testing and evaluation (T&E) programs in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary place of performance will be at SPA Headquarters in Alexandria, VA with regular visits to customer sites in VA and DC. 

Responsibilities

The Operations Research Analysis SME will review and comment/revisions of program T&E documents and provide the Government advice. Help develop and update internal and external T&E processes and policy documents so they align with DHS directives and acquisition policy and provide decision-makers with sufficient T&E information for milestone decisions. Review Office of T&E processes and recommend improvements to program management and T&E execution, including internal process guides, best practices, and document workflows, using research of government and industry T&E/acquisition sources. Review, edit, and advise on a wide range of program T&E and acquisition documents (e.g., Operational Requirements Documents, Acquisition Strategies, Program Management Baselines/Plans, T&E strategies, Test Plans, TEMPs, test and system evaluation reports, LOAs, AoAs, and similar documents). Collaborate with Operational Test Directors and test teams to develop and revise test reports, and select/analyze data from all test phases to assess Critical Operating Issues, the system under test, and related systems in realistic operational scenarios.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Master's degree or equivalent credits/certifications.
  • 20+ years of experience.
  • DHS T&E Level 3, DAWIA T&E Practitioner Level 2/3, and/or CTEP (Certified Test and Evaluation Professional).
  • Proven ability to communicate effectively, both in written and verbal formats, with diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
  • Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain DHS Suitability.

Desired:

  • Experience in providing assistance to program planning and oversight, exercise, development, execution and evaluation; system level analysis; system integration support inclusive of understanding of threats and vulnerability; technical assessment & evaluation to support and complement the Government's technical experts in applying both acquisition efforts and RDT&E towards accomplishing the DHS mission.
  • Prior experience supporting DHS programs.
  • Active DHS Suitability.

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. VA Pay Transparency Salary range: $180k - $200k

Pay Range InformationAt SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $180,000.00/Yr. - USD $200,000.00/Yr.Employment Type: FULL_TIME