Institute for Defense Analyses

www.ida.org

IDA's History and Mission More than 50 Years of Analytic Excellence IDA traces its roots to 1947, when Secretary of Defense James Forrestal established the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group (WSEG) to provide technical analyses of weapons systems and programs. In the mid-1950s, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff asked the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to form a civilian, nonprofit research institute. The Institute would operate under the auspices of a university consortium to attract highly qualified scientists to assist WSEG in addressing the nation's most challenging security problems. Over the years, IDA has modified its structure to remain responsive to sponsor needs. In 1958, at the request of the Secretary of Defense, IDA established a division to support the newly created Advanced Research Projects Agency. Shortly thereafter, the mandate of this division was broadened to include scientific and technical studies for all offices of the Director of Defense, Research and Engineering. Subsequent divisions were established under what became IDA's primary research center - the Studies and Analyses Center - to provide cost analyses, computer software and engineering, strategy and force assessments, and operational test and evaluation. We created the Simulation Center in the early 1990s to focus on advanced distributed simulation, and most recently, established the Joint Advanced Warfighting Program to develop new operational concepts. IDA further broadened its scope to provide support to the National Security Agency under a new research center - the Centers for Communications and Computing - and, more recently in 2003, by assuming responsibility for what has become our third research center - the Science and Technology Policy Institute - which supports the Office of Science and Technology Policy for the Executive Office of the President. Throughout its history, IDA also has assisted other federal agencies. Recent work includes research performed in support of the Department of Homeland Security, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of National Intelligence, and others.

Mission IDA is a non-profit corporation that operates three federally funded research and development centers to provide objective analyses of national security issues, particularly those requiring scientific and technical expertise, and conduct related research on other national challenges.

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Jobs: 1 - 10 of 14

Cisco Network Engineer

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

Summary Statement: With low to moderate supervision, this position designs, administers, and maintains multiple data, voice, and video telecommunication networks, systems and software. The incumbent is a seasoned professional, able to solve...

23d

STORM Campaign Modeler

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

Overview The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) has an immediate opening in the Science, Systems, and Sustainment Division (S3D) for a Synthetic Theater Operations Model (STORM) Campaign Modeler. The ideal candidate is an experienced rese...

23d

Director - Operational Evaluation Division (OED)

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a not-for-profit corporation that operates three Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs): the Systems and Analyses Center sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of War; the Sc...

23d

Lead Network Engineer

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

Overview With minimal to no supervision, this position envisions, designs, administers, and maintains multiple data, voice, and video telecommunication networks, systems and software. Applies advanced subject matter expertise to develop sol...

23d

2026 - Data Science Fellowship

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

Overview The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a not-for-profit corporation that operates three Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs). IDA's Systems and Analyses Center is located in Alexandria, Virginia and is comp...

23d

Research Analyst - Economist

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

Overview: The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is an independent, non-profit, federally-funded research and development center that provides objective analyses to the Department of War and other federal government agencies. Economists a...

23d

Naval Warfare Analyst - - Live Fire Test & Evaluation

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

Overview The Operational Evaluation Division (OED) of the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) has an immediate career opening for an Analyst supporting the Department of War's (DoW) assessment of the survivability of Navy ships and submari...

23d

Research Analyst - Cyberspace Operations

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

Apply your analytical skills to support the Department of War's assessments of full-spectrum cyberspace operations. Provide rigorous independent analysis and insights to key decision-makers in the Department and Congress to ensure that the ...

23d

Security Shift Lead - 3rd Shift

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

Overview This position is responsible for directing work of the security officer force and security console during an assigned shift. Ensures security positions and security checks are conducted as required by DoW Regulation 5220.22-M, Nati...

23d

China Research Staff Member - Global Dynamics and Intelligence Division (GDI)

Alexandria, Virginia

Institute for Defense Analyses

Overview The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a private, nonprofit corporation headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. IDA's mission is to answer the most challenging U.S. security and science policy quest...

23d

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