[Hiring] Senior Program Evaluation Specialist @ARA

Role Description

The Capabilities, Analysis and Development (CAD) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an outstanding opportunity for a Journeyman Program Evaluation Specialist to support a multi-disciplinary team providing data analysis, business intelligence, operations research, and decision support across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission space. As a Senior Evaluation Lead you will serve as a strategic advisor responsible for guiding DHS S&T’s evidence-building strategy, leading complex evaluations of high-impact research and technology programs, and advising leadership on performance, effectiveness, and mission value. This role ensures S&T complies with the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act) and positions the Directorate to make high quality, data-driven decisions about research investments.

• Lead complex, enterprise-level evaluations of S&T research portfolios, technology transition programs, and innovation initiatives.
• Shape and refine S&T’s Evidence Act requirements: learning agendas, evaluation plans, evidence inventories, and capacity assessments.
• Provide strategic guidance on evaluation approaches for emerging technologies, prototypes, operational experimentation, and pilot programs.
• Advise senior leadership on evidence-based decision-making, risks, and investment trade-offs.
• Oversee development of evaluation frameworks, performance indicators, and long-term impact measures.
• Lead cross-directorate collaboration with DHS components, FFRDCs, laboratories, and interagency partners.
• Manage evaluation contractors and ensure methodological rigor and compliance with DHS scientific integrity standards.
• Champion a culture of learning and continuous improvement across the Directorate.
• Communicate findings to senior stakeholders, including SES-level briefings and congressional or OMB-facing materials, as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading program or policy evaluations, ideally in science, technology, innovation, or national security domains.
• Must be a US citizen.
• Bachelors degree with 8-10 years of experience.
• Mastery of evaluation methodologies and ability to tailor approaches to RDT&E environments.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic assessment skills.
• Demonstrated ability to guide executive decision-making using evidence and analysis.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Flexibility to know when other methods may be appropriate.

Requirements

• Masters degree or PhD with 6-8 years of experience.
• Deep understanding of DHS mission needs, S&T’s RDT&E processes, and federal evidence-building requirements.
• Experience shaping organization-wide evaluation strategies or frameworks.
• Graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in evaluation, social science, public policy, engineering management, or related fields.

Benefits

• Pay Ranges: From $120,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year based on years of experience, degree and any special skills and knowledge that you may bring to the position.
• Competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future.

Company Description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 1200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

• The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.
• At ARA, employees are our greatest assets.
• The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm.
• Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Senior Program Evaluation Specialist position.