Senior Space Operations Planner Team Lead

QinetiQ US; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US seeks a Senior Special Operations Planner Team Lead to direct a planners team embedded with USSPACECOM (S4S) at Vandenberg AFB, CA. You will own the quality and delivery of planning products and interface with government leadership.

The role requires 15+ years in operational planning, 3+ years in a supervisory capacity, and expertise integrating STO/SAP into joint plans. A TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• 15+ years of operational planning experience in a special operations, joint, or Combatant Command HQ environment.
• 3+ years of supervisory or team lead experience in a cleared contractor environment.
• Proven experience delivering CONOPs, COAs, and operational orders to senior leadership.
• Direct experience integrating STO/SAP into operational plans at the combatant command level.
• Strong communication with government customers and senior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Special Operations Planners, ensuring deliverables meet time and scope constraints.
• Interact with COR and government leadership on performance, staffing, and priorities.
• Direct development of JPP, CONOPs, COAs, and operational orders; coordinate across directorates and partners.
• Oversee planning for real-world operations, exercises, and wargames including MSEL design and AARs.
• Ensure OPSEC, classification control (TS/SCI, SAP, ACCM) across all products.

Skills

Team leadership

Operational planning

JPP/CONOPs

Clearance TS/SCI

Education

Bachelor’s degree in strategic studies / political science / aerospace / related field

Master’s degree (preferred) in strategic studies / national security / space policy

Tools

SIPRNet/JWICS

Job description

QinetiQ US seeks a Senior Special Operations Planner Team Lead to direct a planners team embedded with USSPACECOM (S4S) at Vandenberg AFB, CA. You will own the quality and delivery of planning products and interface with government leadership.

The role requires 15+ years in operational planning, 3+ years in a supervisory capacity, and expertise integrating STO/SAP into joint plans. A TS/SCI clearance is required.