Weapons and Nuclear Weapons/Missile Defense Analyst

• USAJOBS pay evidence (raw source values; no currency or annual rate inferred)
• Remuneration 1: minimum: 130000; maximum: 195000; rate interval: PA; description as provided: Per Year
• Pay plan 1: code: AD
• Low grade: 00
• High grade: 00
• Agency: Congressional Budget Office

Candidates must have a graduate degree or equivalent experience in physical sciences, engineering, operations research, statistics, applied mathematics, national security policy, public policy, or a related field. All candidates must have demonstrated experience in quantitative analysis. The ideal candidate will have experience in one or more of the following areas: weapons systems analysis, military aviation, space systems, nuclear weapons systems, air and missile defense, defense budget analysis, program cost analysis, operations research, or analyses of alternatives.

CBO is seeking candidates at two experience levels: Analyst: At least three years of relevant experience, which may include graduate work. Experienced Analyst: At least five years of work experience, including experience working independently. Leadership of analytical studies or tasks within larger studies is desirable, and a demonstrated record of professional publications is highly desirable.

CBO analyses are often conducted by a single analyst or a small team. Candidates must be able to develop models that capture the principal factors driving costs or affecting capabilities, often when data are limited. CBO maintains high standards for accuracy, precision, clarity, and objectivity.

Candidates must be excellent writers who can make complex technical topics understandable to nonexpert audiences. The ability to work with Congressional staff and develop relationships with experts in government, think tanks, and private industry is also important. Candidates must have or be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Work Schedule: This position follows a hybrid work schedule requiring employees to work in person at CBO's Washington, D.C., offices on designated core days. Additional in-office days may be required depending on operational needs. Full-time telework is not available.

Job summary

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a small, nonpartisan agency that provides economic, budgetary, and policy analysis to Congress. CBO's National Security Division seeks analysts to conduct studies of the costs and capabilities of defense systems and potential acquisition programs, including conventional weapons, military aviation, space systems, command, control, and communications (C3) systems, nuclear forces, and air and missile defense programs.

Major duties

- The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a small, nonpartisan agency that provides economic, budgetary, and policy analysis to Congress. CBO's National Security Division seeks analysts to conduct studies of the costs and capabilities of defense systems and potential acquisition programs, including conventional weapons, military aviation, space systems, command, control, and communications (C3) systems, nuclear forces, and air and missile defense programs.

The division's recently published work includes analyses of the 10-year costs of nuclear forces, approaches to national missile defense, homeland cruise missile defenses, proliferated satellite constellations, hypersonic weapons, and small unmanned aircraft systems.CBO's analysts communicate their findings to Congress and the public through reports, letters, briefings for Congressional committee staff, testimony, and innovative publications such as online tools and infographics.

Requirements

US citizenship or current permanent residents seeking citizenship

Education

Candidates must have a graduate degree or equivalent experience in physical sciences, engineering, operations research, statistics, applied mathematics, national security policy, public policy, or a related field. All candidates must have demonstrated experience in quantitative analysis.

Evaluations

Your application includes your resume, responses to the on-line questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a not qualified determination. Those who aren't qualified will be informed and not considered further. Others will be referred to the hiring division for further consideration.

USAJOBS listing details

Source listing snapshot; not verification of current availability or your eligibility.

• Control number: 892846800
• Announcement number: DE-13116728-27-AB
• Announcement URL:
• Publication date: 2026-11-13T13:48:56.9270
• Applications open: 2026-11-13T13:48:56.9270
• Applications close: 2027-02-07T23:59:59.9970
• Posting display ends: 2027-02-07T23:59:59.9970
• Hiring paths: public

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• Search result snapshot observed: 2026-11-14T14:40:42.829485+00:00