Special Operations Planner - J4

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

Job summary

QinetiQ US in Colorado Springs seeks an experienced Logistics Planner to support USSPACECOM headquarters. The role focuses on sustainment planning, supply chain management, and space-domain operations, delivering decision-ready products for senior leadership under tight timelines.

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, 10+ years in logistics at the Joint or Combatant Command level, and TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in logistics management, supply chain, systems engineering, operations research, or related field.
• 10+ years of logistics planning in a joint or Combatant Command headquarters environment.
• Experience with JPP/JLEnt or joint sustainment planning in contingency and deliverable planning.
• Experience developing logistics annexes and sustainment plans integrated into operational/campaign plans at Combatant Command level.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead logistics planning across the Joint Planning Process (JPP) and develop logistics annexes and sustainment plans.
• Integrate J4 logistics capabilities into USSPACECOM campaigns, ensuring feasibility across all operational phases.
• Coordinate planning with DLA, Service Components, interagency partners and other Commands to synchronize sustainment activities.
• Develop and present decision-ready logistics products (briefings, staff packages, risk analyses) for senior leadership.
• Support wargames and exercises by modeling logistics timelines and supply chain constraints.
• Assess logistics supportability for space-domain operations, including ground systems and satellite infrastructure.
• Maintain OPSEC and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks; manage TS/SCI classifications.
• Identify gaps and risks, propose mitigations, and adapt products to evolving environments.
• Utilize SIPRNet/JWICS to manage and disseminate materials.

Skills

Joint logistics planning

Communication skills

SIPRNet/JWICS

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

SIPRNet

JWICS

Job description

Company Overview

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US’s dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Why Join QinetiQ US?

If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems. In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

Position Overview

Join us in supporting the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), one of the nation’s eleven unified combatant commands responsible for space operations critical to joint warfighting. We are seeking an experienced Logistics Planner to serve as an embedded contractor supporting USSPACECOM headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO. The ideal candidate brings deep logistics planning expertise – including familiarity with sustainment planning, supply chain management, and space domain support operations – and can produce decision-ready products for senior leadership under dynamic, time-sensitive conditions.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead logistics planning efforts across the Joint Planning Process (JPP), including development of logistics annexes, sustainment Concepts of Support (COS), and logistics support plans for contingency plans and operational orders
• Integrate J4 logistics capabilities and sustainment requirements into USSPACECOM operational plans, campaign plans, and CONPLANS, ensuring logistics feasibility across all phases of operations
• Coordinate logistics planning across USSPACECOM Directorates, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Service Component commands, interagency partners, and other Combatant Commands to synchronize sustainment activities and resolve resourcing conflicts
• Develop and present decision-ready logistics products – including briefings, staff packages, sustainment assessments, risk analyses, and logistics summaries – for senior and flag-level leadership
• Support real-world operations, exercises, and wargames by integrating logistics scenarios, sustainment timelines, and supply chain constraints into scenario design, Master Scenario Event Lists (MSELs), After Action Reviews (AARs), and observer/trainer activities
• Assess logistics supportability for space domain operations, including sustainment of ground-based space systems, satellite communications infrastructure, and associated equipment and spare parts pipelines
• Maintain strict operational security (OPSEC), manage classification levels (TS/SCI), and ensure logistics planning products comply with applicable legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks
• Identify logistics gaps, risks, and constraints across the sustainment enterprise; propose mitigations and alternatives; and maintain situational awareness to adapt logistics products as the operational environment evolves
• Utilize classified collaboration environments (SIPRNet, JWICS) and logistics planning tools to manage and disseminate sustainment planning materials

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (logistics management, supply chain management, systems engineering, operations research, or related field)
• 10+ years of logistics planning in a joint, Combatant Command, or Service Component headquarters environment
• Demonstrated experience with the Joint Planning Process (JPP), Joint Logistics Enterprise (JLEnt) frameworks, and/or joint sustainment planning in support of contingency and deliverable planning
• Experience developing logistics annexes and sustainment plans integrated into operational and campaign plans at the Combatant Command level
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in logistics management, national security affairs, business administration, or a related field
• Prior direct experience supporting USSPACECOM, another Geographic or Functional Combatant Command (GCC/FCC), or the Joint Staff J4
• Familiarity with space operations doctrine including JP 3-14 (Space Operations) and JP 4-0 (Joint Logistics)
• Completion of the Joint Logistics Course (JLC), Advanced Logistics Course (ALC), or equivalent joint logistics professional military education
• Prior military service with experience as a Logistician (FA90, 90A, 21A, or equivalent) or in a joint logistics billet at a major headquarters

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $180,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Company EEO Statement

Accessibility/Accommodation:

If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] Opt. 1 and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

QinetiQ US is an Equal Opportunity employer. All Qualified Applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.