Quantitative Analyst – Complex Adaptive Systems
Job Description
INCA Engineering is seeking a Quantitative Analyst to support DARPA program managers in the development, integration, and scaling of complex adaptive systems modeling and data-intensive analytical capabilities.
This role will work with complex, multi-source intelligence, commercial, and open-source data and help integrate those sources into graph-based and network analytical frameworks supporting strategic competition analysis, industrial base resilience, and national security decision-making.
The successful candidate will bring strong quantitative modeling and data science experience together with an understanding of Intelligence Community mission environments. We are looking for someone who can work across economics, data engineering, software development, and intelligence analysis while translating complex analytical approaches and findings for senior defense stakeholders.
This is a 100% onsite position in Arlington, VA, with up to 15% travel.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the design, evaluation, and application of quantitative economic models, network analysis frameworks, and graph-based data integration architectures.
- Oversee the integration of complex, multi-source intelligence and economic datasets into scalable, operational analytical pipelines.
- Serve as the primary technical liaison among academic researchers, software engineering teams, and Intelligence Community stakeholders to ensure analytical tools align with operational requirements.
- Advise DARPA leadership on program execution risks, data architecture scalability, and capability transition strategy.
- Develop technical documentation, program roadmaps, executive briefings, and analytical products to communicate program progress and findings to senior decision-makers.
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s degree or PhD in Economics, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
- 5+ years of relevant experience in quantitative economic modeling, advanced econometrics, and network data science or data engineering applied to complex adaptive systems.
- Experience with large-scale data processing, multi-source data pipeline integration, and structured and unstructured data architectures.
- Practical experience with graph analytics, network modeling tools, and interconnected data architectures, including tools such as Python or R quantitative libraries, graph databases, or network science frameworks.
- Experience working within or alongside the U.S. Intelligence Community, including familiarity with IC mission environments, data workflows, and intelligence-derived datasets.
- Understanding of diverse data sources spanning global economics, financial networks, trade flows, defense industrial supply chains, and multi-INT sources.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to develop executive PowerPoint briefings and explain complex econometric and data models to senior defense stakeholders.
- Active Top Secret clearance with eligibility for SCI access.
Preferred Experience
- Active Special Access Program (SAP) eligibility and experience working at TS/SCI and SAP levels.
- Experience with defense industrial base analysis, economic statecraft, strategic competition modeling, or macroeconomic resilience metrics.
- Hands-on experience building decision-support tools, AI/ML-enabled analytical tools, cloud data engineering workflows, or large language model research pipelines.
- Experience supporting new program start-ups, pilot demonstrations, and transition pathways within defense or intelligence organizations.
- Experience in a high-paced private-sector quantitative production environment, such as systematic investing or trading, real-time advertising technology development, or pharmacological optimization and customization.
- Demonstrated ability to bridge communication and technical execution across academic economists, data engineers, software developers, and operational intelligence analysts.
Location: Arlington, VA
Work Arrangement: 100% onsite
Travel: Up to 15%
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INCA Engineering is a small business providing research and technology development solutions that deliver positive impact on our world through creative innovation. Since 2008, we have combined a passion for our work with deep technical expertise to tackle our clients' greatest challenges.
INCA Engineering offers an excellent benefits package, professional development, and fosters a highly skilled workforce while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Benefits include paid personal time off, medical Insurance and 401k plan with employer matching.
INCA Engineering is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. (EOE – Minorities/Females/ Protected Veterans Status/Disability Status/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity)