Space Operations Planning Lead

QinetiQ US (formerly Avantus Federal); Vandenberg Village (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US seeks a Senior Operations Planner Team Lead to direct a high-visibility, fast-paced planning team embedded with US Space Forces at Vandenberg AFB in California. You will steer STO/SAP integration, produce CONOPs and OPORDs, and interface with government leadership to deliver mission-critical products.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years of operational planning, strong leadership, and a TS/SCI clearance; proven ability to manage priorities under tight deadlines is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (strategic studies, political science, aerospace/systems engineering, operations research, or related field).
• 15+ years of operational planning experience in a special operations, joint, or Combatant Command headquarters environment.
• 3+ years of supervisory or team lead experience managing planners or analysts in a DoW or cleared contractor environment.
• Proven experience leading planning teams through the full Joint Planning Process (JPP), including delivery of completed CONOPs, COAs, and operational orders to senior leadership.
• Direct experience planning or integrating STO or SAP into operational plans at the combatant command level.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, communicate clearly with government customers, and hold a team accountable to quality standards under tight deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with a track record of producing and presenting high-quality products to flag/general/senior executive service (SES)-level audiences.
• Proficiency with classified systems and environments including SIPRNet and JWICS.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required; #qinetiqclearedjob

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior contractor point of contact for all planning support activities, interfacing directly with the COR and government leadership on performance, staffing, and priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Special Operations Planners – assigning work, monitoring quality, balancing workload, and ensuring all contract deliverables are met on time and within scope.
• Conduct performance evaluations, support professional development, and maintain high team morale and retention in a demanding operational environment.
• Identify and elevate staffing gaps, resource constraints, and performance issues; coordinate with QinetiQ program management on hiring and personnel actions.
• Direct and personally contribute to the development of operational and strategic planning products across the Joint Planning Process (JPP), including CONOPs, COAs, contingency plans, campaign plans, and operational orders.
• Lead integration of STO and SAP capabilities into USSPACECOM operational plans and CONPLANs.
• Oversee development and delivery of decision-ready products – briefings, staff packages, operational overlays, risk assessments, and planning summaries – for senior and flag-level leadership.
• Lead planning support for real-world operations, exercises, and wargames including scenario design, MSEL development, After Action Reviews (AARs), and observer/trainer support.
• Guide the team’s integration of space control capabilities into operational plans and ensure deconfliction of sensitive activities.
• Maintain rigorous OPSEC standards and classification management across all team products and activities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff management

Operational planning

Planning coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

SIPRNet

JWICS

Job description

QinetiQ US seeks a Senior Operations Planner Team Lead to direct a high-visibility, fast-paced planning team embedded with US Space Forces at Vandenberg AFB in California. You will steer STO/SAP integration, produce CONOPs and OPORDs, and interface with government leadership to deliver mission-critical products.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years of operational planning, strong leadership, and a TS/SCI clearance; proven ability to manage priorities under tight deadlines is essential.