Senior Advisor - Platform Transition

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. Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The AUKUS, Submarines, and Industrial Base Group (ASIG), within the Sea, Land, Air Division, provides timely, objective, analytic assessments that integrate technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis to Director Submarine Program directorates and key stakeholders surrounding submarine platform construction.  Director Submarine Program unifies submarine platform procurement activities, which includes the Columbia-class SSBN program (a Major Defense Acquisition Program and the Navy’s top acquisition priority), the Virginia-class SSN program, the new SSN-X program (developing the next generation attack submarine), and the AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Office, to bring improved capabilities to our undersea forces.  Analysts and Engineers supporting Director Submarine Program will continue SPA’s decades of support to the SSBN force, as well as supporting oversight of cutting-edge attack submarine construction, assisting in developing the design requirements for the SSN platform of the future, and helping plan and execute new and innovative strategies to strengthen the critical submarine shipbuilding industrial base. These are high-profile, major acquisition and manufacturing programs of significant importance to the future capabilities of the US Navy in an era of renewed strategic competition.

The Senior Advisor - Platform Transition postion serves as a primary analyst to the Director Submarines Programs (DRPM SUBS/PAE Undersea), providing critical support for interagency and intergovernmental decision-making. The primary objective is to provide expert advice to Senior Leaders at all levels—including but not limited to the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), Under Secretary of the Navy (UNSECNAV), Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), United States Navy (USN), Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN RD&A), and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), as well as their staff(s)—to ensure a seamless transition from the OHIO Class to the COLUMBIA Class and maintain the nation’s undersea strategic deterrent. Addtional responsibilities: 

• Serve as the principal advisor to senior leaders at all levels including but not limited to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Deputy Secretary of War, Secretary of War, Senior Leaders relevant staff members, and DRPM SUBS leadership providing authoritative, independent counsel to senior military and civilian leadership overseeing strategic deterrence.  

• Provide expert, data-driven analysis and risk assessments on key program pillars: supply chain health, and life-cycle sustainment planning for two distinct SSBN developing strategies to ensure operational availability until decommissioning.  

• Identify and analyze potential failure points in the transition strategy, classes including but not limited to sustainment and overhaul challenges of the aging OHIO-class fleet that could jeopardize continuous strategic deterrence patrols.  

• Evaluate and provide recommendations on the new maintenance philosophies, technologies (e.g., Condition-Based Maintenance+), and shipyard infrastructure required for the COLUMBIA-class to achieve its designed operational tempo and service life.  

• Advise leadership on systemic risks within the supply chain for both legacy (OHIO) and new (COLUMBIA) components, recommending mitigation strategies to prevent production and maintenance delays.  

Required Experience:

• Nationally recognized authority in large-scale naval acquisition, particularly in submarine design, construction, testing, and life-cycle sustainment, with a minimum of 20 years of senior-level experience.
• Unparalleled, firsthand experience with the TRIDENT Strategic Weapon System, SSBN operations, and the unique requirements of the nuclear deterrence mission.
• Demonstrated success providing authoritative counsel to Flag Officer, Senior Executive Service (SES), or equivalent corporate leadership on programs of national significance.
• Intimate knowledge of the U.S. submarine industrial base, including public and private shipyards, and the key suppliers and challenges inherent to nuclear submarine construction.

Desired Experience:

• Command of an OHIO-class submarine.
• Major Program Manager (MPM) or senior leadership role within TYCOM or Strategic Systems Programs (SSP).
• Senior executive-level experience in the private sector at a primary submarine construction shipyard or a major defense contractor involved in the SSBN enterprise.
• Extensive experience with the technical and programmatic aspects of submarine overhauls and refueling operations.

Clearance:

• Must possess and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.