Operational Battle Management Command and Control Planner

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities. 

The new hire will join the Space Planning, Readiness, and Operations (SPRO) Department team to provide operationally focused space solutions for warfighter and end user in support of our Department of War (DoW), Intelligence Community (IC), and civil customers.  We serve as the EED and ETG entry point for wargaming and exercises, space operations planning, and operationally-relevant solutions support to connect corporate technical capabilities and operational requirements, integrate capabilities across the space enterprise, and educate the workforce on space operations and warfighting.  Do you want to have a positive impact on the present and future space enterprise? Join us as an Operational Battle Management Command and Control Planneron the Space Planning, Readiness, and Operations Department team at The Aerospace Corporation!  

Work Model 

• 100% Onsite: This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA, which requires 100% onsite work.  That onsite work may be in Chantilly, VA, Reston, VA, Crystal City, VA, or an appropriate National Capital Region (NCR) location.   

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Working directly with battle managers and C2 planners to capture operational workflows, decision timelines, and engagement authority handoffs. 

• Translating operator needs into testable requirements, including latency, throughput, availability, and degraded-mode behavior for time-critical engagement functions. 

• Providing C2 planning and course of action (COA) development expertise in accordance with current Joint Warfighting Concept, Adaptive Planning, and Joint Targeting processes. 

• Supporting operator training, demonstrations, and exercises, translating operational feedback and identified gaps into program backlog and development priorities. 

• Reviewing requirements, models, and algorithms to develop integration architectures and recommend technical and operational needs for Ops Centers’ processes and the system integrator’s system-of-systems model.  

• Working with software development contractors to align feature development and delivery schedules with program requirements and priorities. 

• Assessing software deliveries against the legacy system baseline and program performance requirements. 

• Designing and advocating for optimized C2 constructs and data processes for military Service and Combatant Command capabilities. 

• Working across space mission and program boundaries to identify common program challenges and risks, provide enterprise recommendations, and lead issues to closure. 

• Tracking and communicating technical risks among stakeholders operating under a shared joint-use agreement. 

• Identifying, engaging, and integrating Aerospace expertise across the enterprise. 

• Serving as a BM and/or C2 subject matter expert on multi-disciplinary teams. 

• Solving the customers’ hardest problems in the development, fielding, planning, integration, and operational employment of new space capabilities.   

• Working closely and effectively with internal and external partners in integrated product teams that include government, industry, FFRDC members, and collaboration across Aerospace. 

• Communicating effectively with customers and management through timely reporting of technical issues, analysis reports, and recommendations. 

What You Need to be Successful – Engineering Specialist 

Minimum Requirements:  

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in engineering, mathematics, technical science, or related experience applicable to the position.  

• 8 or more years of increasingly responsible and related career experience to include background as a space operator and/or planner. 

• Experience with operating or developing C2 or BM systems. 

• Experience in space-relevant command and control, operational planning, or battle management.  

• Strong oral and written communication skills. 

• Experience working with government customers from Combatant Commands, Military Services, and the Intelligence Community.  

• Active Top Secret security clearance; eligible for SCI and SAP/SAR. 

• Willing to travel approximately 20%.    

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Engineering Specialist 

Minimum Requirements:  

• 12 or more years of experience of relevant career experience.  

• Demonstrated blend of operational, technical, and leadership experience.  

How You Can Stand Out  

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Advanced degree from a recognized institution in engineering, mathematics, technical science, or related experience applicable to the position.  

• Weapons School graduate. 

• Operational battle management of C2 fires experience. 

• Joint Planning experience with Combatant Command J3/5 or Joint Staff J3/5. 

• Experience in a different domain besides space (e.g., ground, maritime, air). 

• Experience with different mission areas like electronic warfare (EW); orbital warfare (OW); space domain awareness (SDA); intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); command and control (C2); satellite communications (SATCOM) or space data transport; position, navigation, and timing (PNT); and, missile warning missile tracking (MW/MT). 

• Working knowledge of agile and DevSecOps software delivery and interface management. 

• Familiarity with tactical data link standards (MIL-STD-6016, MIL-STD-3011) and UCI/OMS. 

• Knowledge of man-made threats to space systems.  

• Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI access and/or SAP/SAR access. 

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$117,300.00 - $226,900.00Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.