Joint Mission Planning Lab Analyst Technician

New Directions Technologies, Inc; Ridgecrest (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

New Directions Technologies, Inc. is seeking a JMPS Lab Analyst / Technician at China Lake, CA to provide technical, systems administration, and operational planning support for mission readiness across lab, ground, and flight test events.

The role involves maintaining JMPS systems, deploying software, performing OS hardening, data loads, and pre-test validation, while liaising between engineers and aircrew. A DoD clearance and onsite work are required.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required due to sensitive customer requirements.
• Must have current Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top-secret clearance.
• On-site position; not remote eligible.
• Travel 15–30% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated technical support for JMPS systems in lab, ground, and flight test events.
• Perform end-to-end software deployment and OS security hardening.
• Coordinate with engineers and aircrew; troubleshoot mission planning issues in real time.
• Install, upgrade, and maintain JMPS framework and MPE components.
• Ensure IAVA compliance and apply OS security patches.
• Document system deficiencies and reproduce defects for leadership.

Skills

JMPS architecture

Windows OS/Group Policy

Data imports/exports

Work under pressure

Interpersonal communication

DoD IAT Level II

F/A-18/EA-18G experience

Military experience

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Location

China Lake, CA

Status

Full Time

Job Description

The Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) Lab Analyst / Technician provides dedicated technical, systems administration, and operational planning support to ensure mission readiness across Lab, Ground, and Flight Test events. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining the integrity, security, and baseline configuration of JMPS systems utilized by the Integrated Product Team (IPT), Technical Program Offices (TPOs), flight test squadrons, and external partner agencies.

• Operating in a high-tempo flight test environment, the incumbent performs end-to-end software deployment, operating system security hardening, mission data loads, and pre-test validation checks. Additionally, this role acts as a primary liaison between engineering teams and aircrew and requires troubleshooting complex mission planning anomalies in real time.
• Execute installation, upgrade, and life-cycle configuration of the JMPS framework, Mission Planning Environments (MPEs), and platform-specific components.
• Implement routine security maintenance, including Information Assurance Vulnerability Alerts (IAVA) compliance and Operating System security patches.
• Conduct comprehensive final system build performance checks and acceptance testing prior to release for active testing.
• Provide direct mission planning subject matter expertise to Flight Test Engineers (FTEs), System Engineers (SEs), and aircrew.
• Import, format, verify, and validate Aircraft Mission Data, COMSEC materials, electronic warfare (EW) libraries, weapon loads, and navigation databases (e.g., DAFIF).
• Ensure prompt readiness of planning assets supporting developmental test (DT) and operational test (OT) events across lab, ground, and flight test.
• Provide on-site planning support during scheduled test events, rapidly adjusting plan configurations in response to test objectives or changes to aircraft configurations.
• Analyze planning software failures, data load errors, and hardware failures.
• Document system deficiencies, assist in reproducing software defects reporting results to the Team Lead and Product Lead.
• Maintain clear operational logs, configuration management tracking sheets, equipment checkout records, and schedule lab users.
• Recommend continuous workflow improvements to enhance planning efficiency and lab operational readiness.

Education and Work Experience Requirements

8501:

• Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must have a high school diploma with 10 years of related experience or an associate's degree with 4 years related experience. Will also consider bachelor's degree with 2 plus years of related experience.
• Must have current Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top-secret clearance
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top-secret security clearance for duration of the employment.
• Must be able to work onsite - This position is not remote work eligible.
• Must have the ability to work with various server and workstation operating systems.
• Travel Required: 1 5-30%

Desired Skills

• Understanding of the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) architecture, including MPEs, Common Components, and Mission Planning System (MPS) toolsets.
• Windows 10/11 operating system and Group Policy configuration.
• Demonstrated experience handling data imports/exports.
• Proven ability to work independently under high-pressure conditions and make sound technical decisions with minimal oversight.
• Strong interpersonal communication with the ability to convey complex technical issues to both non-technical leaders and technical engineers.
• DoD Directive 8570.01-M / 8140 Compliance: Active IAT Level II certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+ or equivalent).
• Prior operational or test experience supporting F/ A-18C/D/E/F Super Hornet and/or EA-18G Growler platforms.
• Prior military experience.

Salary: the expected pay range for this position is $70,304 to $89,440 but is subject to change.