Senior Planning Specialist

Noblis, Inc.; Lorton (VA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Noblis is seeking a Senior Planning Specialist to provide space operations planning support at Fort Belvoir, VA. You will engage across mission partners to develop and execute plans, orders, and TTPs for national and theater missions.

The role requires deep experience with joint planning processes (JOPES/APEX), cross‑agency collaboration, and the ability to lead multi‑organization planning activities. Travel up to 10% and lifting up to 30 lbs may be required.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph.
• US Citizenship is required.
• Bachelor's degree and 12 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise OR Master's degree and 11 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise OR 14 years of relevant experience if no bachelor's degree is held.
• Degree within a relevant operational, technical, or strategic studies field preferred.
• Demonstrate deep experience with joint operational planning processes including JOPES and APEX.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support space operations planning activities across NRO, USSPACECOM, CCMDs, and interagency partners.
• Apply Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX) and the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) processes to develop and maintain space operations plans.
• Coordinate with Joint Staff (JS) and Interagency Partners to support operational plans development.
• Coordinate across directorates to support development and maintenance of NRO specific plans and annexes.
• Support CCMD/JS planning processes and cross-command coordination activities.
• Support Integrated Joint Special Technical Operations (IJSTO) planning and execution.
• Prepare and present planning products, briefings, and recommendations to senior government officials and mission partners.
• Coordinate with ground segment, space segment, and network/communications teams for integrated planning for space enterprise.
• Identify and track planning dependencies, issues, and risks across the space operations enterprise.
• Lead and support cross-organizational working groups, planning conferences, and coordination forums.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior planning staff.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

US Citizenship

Space/joint planning

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Responsibilities

Noblis ESI is seeking a Senior Planning Specialist to provide space operations planning support to mission functions in an integrated space operations center environment located in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

The selected candidate will support mission-critical planning activities spanning joint operational planning, adaptive planning and execution, and cross-organizational synchronization across NRO, USSPACECOM, USSF, and mission partner organizations. Drawing on deep expertise in joint planning processes and space operations, this role will advance integrated space operations planning through development and execution of plans, orders, and TTPs in support of national and theater-level missions.

Responsibilities Include:

• Lead and support space operations planning activities across NRO, USSPACECOM, Combatant Commands (CCMDs), and interagency mission partners.


• Apply Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX) and the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) processes to develop and maintain space operations plans.


• Integrate with Joint Staff (JS) and Interagency Partners to support operational plans development.


• Coordinate across directorates to support development and maintenance of NRO specific plans and supporting annexes.


• Support CCMD/JS planning processes and cross-command coordination activities.


• Support Integrated Joint Special Technical Operations (IJSTO) planning and execution.


• Prepare and present planning products, briefings, and recommendations to senior government officials and mission partners.


• Coordinate with ground segment, space segment, and network/communications teams to ensure integrated planning on behalf of the space enterprise.


• Identify and track planning dependencies, issues, and risks across the space operations enterprise.


• Lead and support cross-organizational working groups, planning conferences, and coordination forums.


• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior planning staff.

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph.


• US Citizenship is required.


• Bachelor's degree and 12 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise OR Master's degree and 11 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise OR 14 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise if no bachelor's degree is held.


• Degree within a relevant operational, technical, or strategic studies field preferred.


• Demonstrate deep experience with joint operational planning processes including JOPES and APEX.


• Experience supporting CCMD/JS planning processes and cross-command coordination.


• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing TTPs in a space operations or joint planning environment.


• NRO or IC experience strongly preferred.


• Strong project management skills with ability to manage complex multi-stakeholder planning activities.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to present complex planning products to senior audiences.


• Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead planning efforts in a matrixed environment.


• Travel up to 10% within US.


• Lift up to 30 lbs, walk, bend, drive.

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate of USAF Weapons School, Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting, Army School of Advanced Military Studies, or equivalent.


• Prior military service as a space operations officer or related specialty (e.g., USAF 13S, 1C6/5S, Marine 8866/0540, Army FA40/FA59) or equivalent civilian experience.


• Experience with NRO MGS/IC operations and space enterprise planning.


• Familiarity with USSPACECOM and USSF operational processes and organizational structures.


• Experience with space situational awareness and satellite operations planning.


• Background in multi-domain operations and joint planning at the operational or strategic level.


• Familiarity with space-based intelligence systems.


• Familiarity with national-level planning processes and policy frameworks.

Overview

Noblis and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Noblis ESI and Noblis MSD, take on some of the nation's toughest challenges, delivering advanced solutions to our customers’ most critical missions. We bring together leading scientific, engineering, and management expertise in a culture grounded in objectivity and collaboration, ensuring our work creates lasting impact across federal missions.

We work with a broad range of government agencies in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors. Learn more and find opportunities at careers.noblis.org

Why Work at Noblis

At Noblis, we share a passion for excellence and innovation, and we create an environment where people can do meaningful work while maintaining the balance that keeps them energized and fulfilled. We seek out individuals with a natural curiosity and desire to collaborate and learn. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we consistently seek exceptionally skilled, mission-driven professionals who care deeply about doing work that enriches lives and makes our nation safer.

Noblis has earned numerous workplace awards for our culture, our commitment to employee well-being, and our dedication to meaningful, impactful work. We also maintain a drug-free workplace.

Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us.

EEO is the Law | E-Verify | Right to Work

Total Rewards

At Noblis we recognize and reward your contributions, provide you with growth opportunities, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Benefits page on our Careers site.

Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on-call staff, compensation is proportionately adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis' total compensation package.

Posted Salary Range

USD $132,900.00 - USD $207,750.00 /Yr.