Senior Space Operations Planner & JPP Expert

QinetiQ US; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US in Colorado Springs seeks an experienced Special Operations Planner to support USSPACECOM headquarters. The role focuses on embedded contracting and delivering decision-ready products under time pressure, with STO/SAP integration and space domain awareness.

You will lead joint planning efforts, develop CONOPs, COAs, and CONPLANs, and coordinate across directorates, interagency, and allied partners. A TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (strategic studies, political science, aerospace/systems engineering, operations research, or related field)
• 10+ years of operational planning experience in a special operations, joint, or Combatant Command headquarters environment
• Experience with the Joint Planning Process (JPP), Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES), and/or Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)
• Experience planning or integrating Special Technical Operations (STO) or Special Access Programs (SAP) into operational plans
• Strong written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality briefings, orders, and staff packages under high-pressure, short-suspense conditions
• Proficiency with classified systems and tools including SIPRNet and JWICS
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required; #qinetiqclearedjob

Responsibilities

• Support and lead operational and strategic planning efforts across the Joint Planning Process (JPP), including development of CONOPs, COAs, contingency plans, and operational orders
• Integrate STO/SAP capabilities into USSPACECOM operational plans, campaign plans, and CONPLANS (e.g., CONPLAN 7100, 7130)
• Coordinate planning efforts across USSPACECOM Directorates, interagency partners, allied and partner nations, and other Combatant Commands to synchronize planning activities and resolve conflict
• Develop and present decision-ready products – including briefings, staff packages, operational overlays, risk assessments, and planning summaries – for senior and flag-level leadership
• Support real-world operations, exercises, and wargame including scenario design, Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) development, After Action Reviews (AARs), and observer/trainer support
• Integrate space control capabilities – including Electromagnetic Support (ES) and Electromagnetic Attack (EA) – into operational plans and ensure deconfliction of sensitive activities across the space domain
• Maintain strict operational security (OPSEC), manage classification levels (TS/SCI, SAP, ACCM), and ensure compliance with applicable legal and policy frameworks
• Identify planning gaps, risks, and constraints; propose mitigations and alternatives; maintain situational awareness and adapt planning products as the operational environment evolves
• Utilize classified collaboration environments (SIPRNet, JWICS) and planning tools to manage and disseminate compartmented planning materials

Skills

Operational planning

Joint Planning Process

JOPES/MDMP

STO/SAP integration

Clearance TS/SCI

Written and oral communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

SIPRNet

JWICS

Job description

QinetiQ US in Colorado Springs seeks an experienced Special Operations Planner to support USSPACECOM headquarters. The role focuses on embedded contracting and delivering decision-ready products under time pressure, with STO/SAP integration and space domain awareness.

You will lead joint planning efforts, develop CONOPs, COAs, and CONPLANs, and coordinate across directorates, interagency, and allied partners. A TS/SCI clearance is required.