Space Operations Planner – Special Ops & JPP Lead

QinetiQ US; Vandenberg Village (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Special Operations Planner to support USSPACECOM at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. You will provide embedded contractor support with deep planning expertise, producing decision-ready products for senior leaders under tight deadlines.

The role requires experience with STO, SAP, and space-domain integration, and an active Top Secret/SCI clearance. You will work with classified environments and planning tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent.
• 10+ years of operational planning experience in a special operations/JOC/Combatant Command HQ.
• Experience with JPP/JOPES/MDMP processes.
• Experience planning STO/SAP into plans.
• Strong written/oral communication under pressure; ability to produce briefings and orders.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead planning across the Joint Planning Process.
• Integrate STO/SAP and SAP into USSPACECOM plans; develop CONPLANS.
• Coordinate with Directorates, interagency partners, and allied nations.
• Produce decision-ready products for senior leadership.
• Support real-world operations, exercises, and wargaming; design scenarios.

Skills

Operational planning

JPP/JOPES/MDMP

STO/SAP integration

Clearance TS/SCI

SIPRNet/JWICS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in strategic studies or related field

Master’s preferred

Tools

SIPRNet

JWICS

Job description

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Special Operations Planner to support USSPACECOM at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. You will provide embedded contractor support with deep planning expertise, producing decision-ready products for senior leaders under tight deadlines.

The role requires experience with STO, SAP, and space-domain integration, and an active Top Secret/SCI clearance. You will work with classified environments and planning tools.