Who we are
About ARA
Applied Research Associates (ARA) is a 100% employee-owned technology solutions company with more than 2,300 employee-owners across the United States and beyond. Our dedicated team brings deep technical expertise and a passion for solving complex challenges – creating innovative solutions that protect our safety, security, and way of life.
At ARA, every project is an opportunity to exceed expectations. We deliver solutions that not only meet mission objectives but unlock new possibilities for the future.
2,300+ Employees
18% Military Service
55+ Office Locations
100% Employee-Owned
2,300+ Employees
18% Military Service
55+ Office Locations
100% Employee-Owned
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 freedom to innovate and pursue work we are passionate about
ARA employees embody 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 allows us to pursue work we are passionate about.
Our Mission
To solve problems of global importance by providing innovative science and engineering research, technical support services, products, and integrated solutions.
Our Vision
To be the company that government and industry turn to for innovative technologies and solutions to critical problems that will make our world safer, make us more secure, and make a difference in our daily lives.
100% Employee-Owned
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.
Certifications
CMMC Level 2 Certified
ARA achieved Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) level 2 status on June 5, 2025. The CMMC program provides the DoD with increased assurance that contractors and subcontractors are meeting the cybersecurity requirements for nonfederal systems processing controlled unclassified information.
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 3.0. 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.