Critical Technologies Operations Manager

The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc.

(ARA) is seeking to contingently hire a motivated, energetic, and experienced Senior Operations Manager to serve as the On-Site Task Lead for ARA’s effort supporting the Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies (OASW(CT)).

The successful candidate will serve as the Senior Operations Manager leading a large task order supporting and coordinating with the OASW(CT) Principal Directors and support staff overseeing Critical Technology Areas, including Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE), Scaled Hypersonics (SHY), Integrated Sensing & Cyber (IS&C), Space Technology, Energy Resilience, Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI), Trusted & Assured Microelectronics (T&AM), Technology Innovation, Strategic Intelligence and Analysis, Nuclear Command, Control & Communications (NC3), Biomanufacturing (BIO), Contested Logistics Technologies (LOG), and Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID).

The Senior Operations Manager will be responsible for leading ARA operations management support to the OASW(CT) front office for senior OASW(CT) leadership.

This support will include continuous process improvement, mapping and tracking workflows, facilitating interdepartmental communication, and allocating resources necessary for the timely completion of all tasks and assignments.

The Senior Operations Manager must be proficient in interfacing, communicating, and collaborating with government personnel at all levels (e.g., action officer to senior leader, civilian and military).

This position is contingent upon ARA winning the Critical Technologies task order, customer acceptance of the successful candidate’s resume, and security clearance verification.

We expect contract award in the first quarter of calendar year 2026.

Essential Functions:


* Lead on-site program and operations support, conducting frequent and effective communication and coordination across internal OASW(CT) offices and external organizations to ensure success


* Manage and allocate staff resources, de-conflicting priorities and ensuring timely completion of OASW(CT) tasks


* Facilitate continuous process improvement, mapping and tracking workflows to maximize efficiency


* Deliver high-quality read-aheads, briefings, and correspondence on time, ensuring accuracy and senior-leader readiness


* Manage the Correspondence and Task Management System (CATMS) and related tools to track and ensure timely completion of all taskers


* Maintain workforce stability and on-site coverage, coordinating schedules to ensure continuous operational support


* Organize and store work products per government policy, supporting OASW(CT) knowledge-management practices

Required Qualifications:


* Bachelor and Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university


* Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility


* 10 years of relevant Prog...