Operations Planning SME

Leidos; Odenton (MD); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos seeks an Operations Planning SME to develop and support joint operational and strategic plans, translating guidance into executable orders for senior leaders. The role emphasizes expert guidance on JPP, cross-functional coordination, and crisis-action planning in a DoD context.

The candidate will lead planning groups, author key documents, conduct rigorous mission analysis, and influence high-level planning across multiple commands and agencies. A TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline with 15 years of related military operational planning experience, or Master’s degree with 10 years of relevant experience.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
• Expertise in the Joint Planning Process (JPP) from Planning Initiation to Plan/Order Development.
• In-depth knowledge of planning levels (Commander's Estimate, BPLAN, CONPLAN, OPLAN).
• Strong mission analysis, COA development, screening and evaluation criteria mastery.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert planning support for Crisis Action, Future Operations, and Deliberate planning for J3 and J5.
• Compose and disseminate OPORDs and FRAGORDs addressing policy/doctrinal issues.
• Lead COA development, wargaming, and COA evaluation.
• Develop and present detailed analyses and staff estimates to leaders.

Skills

Joint Planning Process (JPP)

Operational planning

COA Development

Mission Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Security clearance TS/SCI

Job description

Description

The Operations Planning SME will be a principal-level expert Strategist responsible for the development, analysis, and support of joint operational and strategic plans. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of the Joint Planning Process (JPP), advanced planning concepts, and the integration of information technology services and capabilities provided by the Defense Information and Systems Agency (DISA). This role requires the ability to translate strategic guidance into detailed, executable plans and orders, and to effectively advise senior military leaders on complex operational challenges. The SME is expected to be a thought leader for the Agency and must be able to work independently with minimum or no guidance.

The Operations Planning SME will be a principal-level expert Strategist responsible for the development, analysis, and support of joint operational and strategic plans. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of the Joint Planning Process (JPP), advanced planning concepts, and the integration of information technology services and capabilities provided by the Defense Information and Systems Agency (DISA). This role requires the ability to translate strategic guidance into detailed, executable plans and orders, and to effectively advise senior military leaders on complex operational challenges. The SME is expected to be a thought leader for the Agency and must be able to work independently with minimum or no guidance.

All SME’s Shall

• Provide expert-level guidance on the application of the Joint Planning Process and Operational Approach.
• Lead Joint Planning Groups (JPG) and Operational Planning Teams (OPT) through the JPP to develop Agency Strategy, OPLANS, orders and directives.
• Develop and present detailed analysis, staff estimates, and plan recommendations to senior military and civilian leaders.
• Author and review planning documents, including technical papers, white papers, and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS).
• Integrate and influence cross-functional concepts that align with high-interest operational plans.
• Lead and direct panels, meetings, and working groups as a subject matter expert and principle advisor.
• Coordinate with all applicable staff elements, Service Components, Combatant Commands (CCMDs), and other partners/agencies.

Primary Responsibilities

The Operations Planning SME shall:

• Provide expert planning support for Crisis Action, Future Operations, and Deliberate planning in support of the J3 and J5 Directorates, developing strategic and operational plans with viable options.
• Compose and disseminate orders and directives (OPORDs, FRAGORDs, etc.) that address complex policy and doctrinal issues, such as dual chains of command, and direct maneuver and effects across National, Joint, and internal operational environments.
• Conduct rigorous Mission Analysis and lead teams in Course of Action (COA) development, analysis, wargaming, and comparison, utilizing established screening and evaluation criteria.
• Apply advanced planning concepts, including Center of Gravity (COG) analysis, Lines of Operation (LOO), Lines of Effort (LOE), and the operational approach to solve complex military problems.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline and 15 years of overall related experience in military operational planning, with a proven track record of success in a joint, multi-domain environment or Master’s degree with 10 years of prior relevant experience. Additional related years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• Must possess an active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Expertise in the Joint Planning Process (JPP), from Planning Initiation to Plan/Order Development.
• In-depth knowledge of various planning levels (Commander's Estimate, BPLAN, CONPLAN, OPLAN) and planning types (Campaign, Contingency, Crisis Action Planning).
• Deep understanding of Mission Analysis inputs/outputs, and mastery of COA Development, including screening criteria (Adequate, Feasible, Acceptable, etc.) and evaluation criteria.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate of the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) or the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS).
• Direct experience translating strategic guidance into operational plans and future operations within a Combatant Command (CCMD) J5 or J35 environment.
• Background in DoD Acquisition or Program Management, with a proven track record of managing the development and delivery of information technology and communication solutions to Combatant Commands and Defense Agencies.
• IAT Level II (Security +, CySA+, CND, GSEC, SSCP, GICSP).

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting

September 10, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay And Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.