WHO WE ARE
Founded in 1979, Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) offers innovative technologies and solutions to problems to improve our safety, security, and way of life. Our employee-owners, most of whom have advanced degrees in engineering and the physical sciences, have the expertise to tackle the most challenging technical problems.
With offices throughout the United States and Canada, ARA is globally recognized for applying technically-excellent, in-depth and diversified research, engineering, and technical support services to provide answers to complex problems. ARA approaches every project as an opportunity to go beyond expectations by delivering solutions that accomplish objectives and lead to new possibilities.
OUR CORE VALUES
Passion - We're excited about what we do.
ARA employees are dedicated to their work and enthusiastically address challenges.
Freedom - We value our flexibility and autonomy.
ARA employees embody independence and entrepreneurialism.
Service - We get things done.
ARA employees selflessly go beyond their commitments to serve clients and others.
Growth - We are focused on growing ourselves and ARA.
ARA employees are not satisfied with the status quo and recognize that growth is a necessary, not just desirable, requirement for success.
PURPOSE, MISSION & VISION
Our Purpose
To provide a work environment that challenges and rewards our efforts, provides opportunities for us to grow, and where we can pursue work we are passionate about.
Our Mission
To solve problems of national importance by providing science and engineering research, technical support services, specialty products, and integrated solutions.
Our Vision
To be the company that government and industry turn to for innovative technologies and solutions to critical human problems that will make our world safer, make us more secure, and make a difference in our daily lives.
EMPLOYEE-OWNERSHIP
ARA is 100% employee-owned. As an employee-owned company, we share a common interest in ARA’s success and we work together for the benefit of all. Through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), the company buys stock on behalf of eligible employees, allowing them to share in the company’s success and save for retirement all at once.
Being an employee-owner presents a unique opportunity for employees to influence the value of their retirement. The ESOP is not a passive investment – employees have a vested interest in increasing the value of ARA and their account through stellar performance every day. Employees contribute to achieving overall company goals and profitability, which in turn may increase the value of the company and the shares in their account.
AWARDS
ARA’s long history of outstanding customer service and engineering excellence has earned the company and its employees numerous accolades. These awards reflect our dedication to technical excellence in our pursuit to solve our nation’s most challenging problems through science and engineering that matters.
CERTIFICATIONS
CMMI® Maturity Level 3 Appraised
ARA’s Integrated Mission Systems (IMS) sector major software programs have been reappraised at level 3 of the CMMI Institute’s Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) version 2.0. CMMI is a capability improvement framework that provides essential elements of effective processes to improve organizational and project performance.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
ISO 9001:2015 is an international standard for requirements of quality management systems developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The ISO 9001 standards provide guidance and tools for ensuring products and services consistently meet customer requirements and quality is consistently improved.
AS9100:2016 Certified
ARA’s Integrated Products Division (IPD) quality management systems are AS9100:2016 certified. The AS9100 series is the industry-recognized set of standards for quality assurance and risk management. These standards were developed for organizations that work within the areas of design, development, production, installation and servicing in the Aviation, Space and Defense (ASD) sector.
OUR HISTORY
Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) was founded in 1979 with a clear purpose in mind: to create an environment in which highly-skilled professionals can pursue their passions while offering innovative solutions to complex problems of global importance. The purpose and mission upon which ARA was originally founded have remained constant as we chart the course for our future.
