China Military Analyst SME

Location: Fort Washington, MD (Onsite (Space-Dependent)/Telework Eligible)

Clearance: TS/SCI Eligible

Education: MA/MS in Strategic Studies, International Policy, International Relations, Chinese Studies, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field (or BA/BS in a related field, plus 4 additional years of experience)

Outcomes:

• Formally track all tasks, to include: assigned by, suspense, status, and comments on all assigned tasks through completion and be prepared to brief upon request.
• Develop digital continuity folders and files that include standard operating procedures, workflows and POC lists to accomplish all tasks.
• Create 2-3 products beyond the client’s requirements that positively impact the client to either increase efficiency, effectiveness, or innovation.
• Master position tasks within 60 days and exceed requirements within 90 days.
• Within the first 90 days, build a working baseline understanding/knowledge of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and include the likely PLA response and the effect on the Department of War (DoW) and the Department of the Air Force (DAF) in the recommendations the team briefs to senior leaders.
• Develop an understanding of how economics underpin national security and how that impacts differs in China than the U.S. system. Apply this understanding as a foundation in all analytical assignments.
• Establish foundation in AI/ML skills and contribute to AI/ML operationalization and modernization goals and objectives.
• Use government provided Generative AI tools on a day-to-day basis to accelerate tasks, research, documentation, analysis, planning, reporting, and problem solving.

Responsibilities:

The China Military Analyst SME supports the Air Force’s Office of Commercial and Economic Analysis (SAF/OCXA) under the Secretary’s Office of Competitive Activities (SAF/OC). The position combines expertise in military studies, Asian economic affairs, risk assessment, Air and Joint operations, and commercial and market analysis. The analyst must also be able to turn that analysis into clear, useful products for a military audience.

The role pairs U.S. military understanding with working knowledge of the PLA and China’s defense industry. The analyst is a focal point for China-focused analytical assignments and applies expertise to an understanding of economic competition.

Day to day, the work is capability analysis, commercial technology surveys, military requirements assessment, and market and historical industry research, with attention to implications and trends. A clear view of national security needs and of available commercial solutions lets the analyst draw well-founded connections and develop near- and long-term market insights that can serve military requirements or needed national security capabilities. The analyst applies a deep understanding of PLA operations to include, but not limited to, the U.S. acquisition community to inform long-term strategic direction.

Per PWS section 1.3.10.11, Consulting Support, specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide Research Analysis, Market Analysis, and Portfolio Analysis with focus on military applications and strategic competition implications.
• Assess PLA modernization, force structure, and doctrine, and how the PLA and China’s defense industry are likely to respond to recommended U.S. and allied actions, including countermeasures, escalation risk, and where an action could backfire.
• For each recommendation, assess its effect on DoW and DAF force design, operational requirements, the industrial base, allies and partners, and operational risk.
• Conduct assessments and formulation of strategies, comparisons of different industries, trends, and assessment of risks in relation to national security and military capabilities.
• Advise on strategy formulation and future force structure planning with consideration of China and/or near peer competitor military modernization and strategic competition dynamics.
• Apply deep understanding of joint operations, force design, and requirements generation to inform strategic direction.
• Help develop and scope the government team’s requirements and communicate these to multiple vendors and assess commercial capabilities for military applications.
• Assess how China’s government, state‑owned enterprises, and military‑civil fusion shape the PLA’s access to technology and the Chinese companies that compete with or supply DoW and DAF.
• Develop a strategic engagement hypothesis, and community of interest, for Air Force stakeholders to promote, project, or protect Air Force equities.
• Support joint and service‑level coordination of strategic initiatives.
• Track commercial market trends, including dual‑use technology (technology with both civilian and military uses), and their influence on defense investment, military capability development, and the health of the industrial base.
• Contribute to concept development, operational risk analysis, and mission impact assessments.
• Conduct geoeconomic analysis examining intersection of military strategy, economic competition, and commercial market dynamics in a strategic competition context.
• Provide military strategy and PLA perspectives to China‑focused analytical teams, so that military considerations are built into economic and commercial analysis from the start.
• Actively seek and participate in a variety of learning opportunities, such as Communities of Practice, conferences, classroom training and independent study to further develop self and community.
• Introduce new and advanced practices to improve the team and their delivery.
• Facilitate project planning, reviews, retrospectives, deliverables and other activities as needed.
• Use government provided Generative AI tools on a day‑to‑day basis to accelerate tasks, research, documentation, analysis, planning, reporting, and problem solving. Make recommendations on process improvements and practices that improve quality, speed and/or efficiency.
• Produce briefings, white papers, and planning artifacts to support senior leaders, and brief stakeholders and related communities.

Qualifications:

The candidate must have the following qualifications:

• Minimum of 15 years of work‑related experience with demonstrated military analysis and knowledge of military capabilities and planning including at least 5 years analyzing the PLA or Chinese military affairs.
• Of those 15 years, at least 10 years of work‑related experience supporting a DoW component.
• 10+ years in strategic planning, operations, or requirements development with experience at service, joint, and/or combined levels.
• Familiarity with DoW and Joint planning and requirements processes, including the Warfighting Acquisition System (WAS) and Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs), and the ability to explain how recommendations affect DoW and DAF force design, capability, and risk.
• Business acumen and strategic management understanding consistent with MBA‑level education, including ability to integrate military planning with commercial market analysis.
• An advanced ability to evaluate and synthesize multiple sources of information to creatively inform decision options that consider various outcomes; demonstrate the ability to combine diverse ideas, problem sets, solutions, and outcomes to a singular storyline that can inform and be supported by experts and novices, alike.
• Experience in industry sector analysis; especially significant if related to transportation and logistics, aviation, shipbuilding, nuclear power, space, and advanced manufacturing.
• Understanding of geoeconomic principles and commercial sector dynamics affecting military capabilities and strategic competition, including how China’s government, military, and commercial sector interact.
• Solid understanding and expert knowledge of both project management principles and practices and the ability to blend them together in the right proportions to fit a project and business environment.
• Ability to manage requirements, analysis and assessment across multiple sub‑portfolios.
• Exceptional customer service skills and an eagerness to excel and be part of a dynamic team, must maintain a great attitude, complemented by excellent interpersonal relationship skills.

The following qualifications are desired:

• Graduate of a Senior Service College or advanced military education program
• Prior military, intelligence, or Air Staff experience focused on China or the Indo‑Pacific
• Chinese language skills (read, write and speak) and experience with Chinese‑language sources, institutions, or defense procurement
• Experience supporting or briefing general/flag officers and senior executives.
• Experience with interagency coordination on strategic competition issues involving military, economic, and commercial considerations.
• Knowledgeable and skilled at applying Generative AI

Travel: Some CONUS travel may be required.