Special Operations Planner

Company Overview

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US’s dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Why Join QinetiQ US?

If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems.  In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

Position Overview

Join us in supporting the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), one of the nation’s eleven unified combatant commands responsible for space operations critical to joint warfighting. We are seeking an experienced Joint Force Development Specialist to serve as an embedded contractor supporting the USSPACECOM headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in joint training, doctrine development, lessons learned processes, and exercise design – including familiarity with space domain operations and space warfighting integration – and can produce decision-ready products for senior leadership under dynamic, time-sensitive conditions.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead joint force development efforts across training program design, doctrine authorship, lessons learned integration, and readiness assessment in support of USSPACECOM’s mission to deter aggression and defend U.S. and allied interests in the space domain
• Develop, review, and staff joint doctrine publications, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and related guidance that integrate space warfighting capabilities into joint operations, coordinating inputs across USSPACECOM Directorates, Service Components, and the Joint Staff J7
• Manage and advance USSPACECOM’s lessons learned program, including collection, analysis, and dissemination of observations, insights, and lessons (OIL) derived from real-world operations, exercises, and wargames; coordinate with the Joint Lessons Learned Information System (JLLIS) to ensure institutional knowledge is captured and actioned
• Plan, coordinate, and execute joint training events, exercises, and wargames – including scenario design, Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) development, training audience coordination, execution support, and After Action Reviews (AARs) – to assess and improve USSPACECOM joint force readiness
• Assess joint qualification and readiness of assigned forces; support the development and tracking of individual and collective training requirements aligned to USSPACECOM’s Universal Joint Task List (UJTL) and Mission Essential Task Lists (METLs)
• Support the development and coordination of USSPACECOM’s Joint Training Plan and associated exercise schedule, ensuring events are sequenced to build proficiency across the full range of space warfighting missions
• Develop and present decision-ready products – including briefings, staff packages, training assessments, doctrine summaries, and readiness reports – for senior and flag-level leadership
• Coordinate with Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) institutions, Space training organizations, and interagency partners to align force development initiatives with broader joint and national security education priorities
• Maintain strict operational security (OPSEC), manage classification levels (TS/SCI), and ensure all force development products comply with applicable legal, policy, and doctrinal frameworks
• Identify gaps in joint training, doctrine, and readiness; propose solutions and resource requirements; and adapt force development products as USSPACECOM’s operational responsibilities and the competitive space environment evolve

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (strategic studies, national security affairs, systems engineering, operations research, or related field)
• 10+ years of experience in joint force development, joint training, doctrine development, or lessons learned at a joint headquarters, Combatant Command, or Service Component level
• Demonstrated experience with the Joint Training System (JTS), Joint Event Life Cycle (JELC), and/or the Joint Lessons Learned Program (JLLP)
• Experience developing or staffing joint doctrine publications, TTPs, or capstone guidance at the Combatant Command or Joint Staff level
• Strong written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality briefings, assessments, and staff packages under high-pressure, short-suspense conditions
• Proficiency with classified systems and tools including SIPRNet, JWICS, and JLLIS
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required; #qinetiqclearedjob

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in strategic studies, national security affairs, education and training, space policy, or a related field
• Prior direct experience supporting USSPACECOM, another Functional Combatant Command (FCC), or the Joint Staff J7
• Familiarity with space operations doctrine including JP 3-14 (Space Operations), JP 7-0 (Joint Training), and JP 5-0 (Joint Planning)
• Experience with the Universal Joint Task List (UJTL) and development or assessment of Mission Essential Task Lists (METLs) for space warfighting missions
• Familiarity with modeling and simulation (M&S) tools, constructive simulation environments, or wargame design methodologies used to support space domain training and readiness assessment
• Background in Space warfighting concepts including space domain awareness, satellite communications, missile warning, and space control, and their integration into joint force development programs
• Prior military service with experience as a Space Operations Officer (FA40), joint staff officer, or in a training, doctrine, or force development billet at a major headquarters

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $180,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Company EEO Statement

Accessibility/Accommodation:

If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call (540) 658-2720 Opt. 1 and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

QinetiQ US is an Equal Opportunity employer. All Qualified Applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.