Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!

Ascension LLC is seeking a Senior Operations Research Analyst to support mission-critical Command and Control and operational analytics functions within an Air Operations Center (AOC) environment.

This role is designed for a seasoned analytical professional who thrives in high-tempo operational environments and understands how to translate complex operational data into actionable insights for senior military leadership. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in operational research, modeling and simulation, system validation, performance measurement, and decision-support analytics within DoD or Federal mission environments.

This is a high-impact position supporting 24/7 global operations readiness, integrating operational planning, system validation, training readiness analytics, and performance optimization across AOC Weapon System activities.

Position Summary

Ascension LLC is seeking a Senior Operations Research Analyst to support the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Fleet Readiness Center (FRC).

This role directly supports the Commander, Fleet Readiness Center (COMFRC) Procurement Group (PG) in advancing the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) analytics capability, modeling, and dashboard improvements in support of end-to-end project analysis initiatives.

The Senior Operations Research Analyst will provide advanced analytical modeling, research, and decision-support capabilities to enhance enterprise-level visibility across aviation maintenance, logistics, readiness, and performance management functions. This position plays a mission-critical role in enabling data-driven decisions that impact fleet readiness and operational effectiveness across Naval Aviation.

The ideal candidate is a highly analytical and technically proficient professional who thrives in complex operational environments. The candidate must be self-driven, detail-oriented, and capable of working with minimal supervision while engaging senior stakeholders. This individual will design and implement quantitative models, conduct statistical and operational analysis, and develop dashboards that improve enterprise performance transparency.

The role requires expertise in:

• Operations research methodologies
• Statistical modeling and simulation
• Data analytics and visualization
• Optimization modeling
• Decision analysis
• Performance metrics and readiness analytics

Tools and platforms may include (but are not limited to):

• Python (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy)
• R
• SQL
• Power BI
• Tableau
• Advanced Excel modeling
• Simulation tools
• Microsoft 365 environment

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Analyze operational system data including C4I, GCCS, ISR, and COP inputs to identify trends, risk indicators, and performance gaps
• Develop and maintain operational readiness metrics and performance dashboards
• Conduct modeling and simulation analyses to evaluate Courses of Action (COA)
• Support validation testing of AOC systems prior to exercises and real-world operations
• Perform cost-benefit and trade studies for system upgrades and capability enhancements
• Evaluate system performance against mission requirements and operational standards
• Support configuration management compliance assessments and baseline reviews
• Participate in DT&E and OT&E activities for new or upgraded C2 technologies
• Develop analytical briefings, white papers, and executive-level reports
• Collaborate with system engineers, network administrators, ISR personnel, and training staff
• Assist with development of Crew Mission Readiness metrics and evaluation criteria
• Provide recommendations to improve operational efficiency, resiliency, and decision speed
• Support knowledge management initiatives leveraging cyber operational data