Special Operations Planner - J5

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

Job summary

QinetiQ US (formerly Avantus Federal) seeks an experienced Strategic Planner to support USSPACECOM J5 at Peterson SFB, Colorado Springs. The role requires deep joint planning expertise and the ability to integrate SOF and Cyber considerations into space campaigns.

You will interact with USSOCOM, USCYBERCOM, TSOCs, and interagency partners to develop CONOPs, COAs, and operational orders, ensuring timely, decision-ready products while maintaining strict OPSEC and bearing TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (strategic studies, national security affairs, political science, or related field).
• 10+ years of operational and strategic planning experience at a J5 billet at a Combatant Command, TSOC, or USCYBERCOM headquarters.
• Experience executing the Joint Planning Process (JPP), Joint Operational Planning and Execution System (JOPES), and/or Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) at the strategic level.
• Direct experience integrating SOF and/or Cyber capabilities into campaign or contingency plans, with a working understanding of how USSOCOM and USCYBERCOM approach plan development and resource prioritization.
• 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

• Execute the full J5 planning process, integrating SOF and Cyber options into USSPACECOM campaign plans, contingency plans, and CONPLANs (e.g., CONPLAN 7100, 7130)
• Develop concepts of operations (CONOPs), Courses of Action (COAs), and operational orders that reflect integrated space, SOF, and Cyber perspectives for senior and flag-level review
• Serve as an authoritative interlocutor with USSOCOM, USCYBERCOM, TSOCs, and interagency partners on intersecting plan development and resource prioritization
• Coordinate J5 planning efforts across USSPACECOM directorates, Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs), allied and partner nations, and interagency stakeholders to synchronize activities and resolve planning conflicts
• Develop and present decision-ready products – including briefings, planning summaries, staff packages, and risk assessments – for senior and flag-level leadership under dynamic, time-sensitive conditions
• Integrate Special Technical Operations (STO) and Special Access Program (SAP) capabilities into USSPACECOM operational and strategic plans, ensuring deconfliction of sensitive activities across the space domain
• Support real-world operations, exercises, and wargames including scenario design, Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) development, and After Action Reviews (AARs)
• Identify planning gaps, risks, and constraints at the SOF-Cyber-space seam; propose mitigations and alternatives; maintain situational awareness and adapt planning products as the operational environment evolves
• Maintain strict operational security (OPSEC), manage classification levels (TS/SCI, SAP, ACCM), and ensure compliance with applicable legal and policy frameworks
• Utilize classified collaboration environments (SIPRN, JWICS) to manage and disseminate compartmented planning materials

Skills

JPP/JOPES/MDMP planning

SIPRNet/JWICS

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in strategic studies, political science, or related field

Master’s degree in strategic studies or space policy (preferred)

Job description

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 Strategic Planner to serve as an embedded contractor supporting the USSPACECOM J5 directorate at Peterson SFB in Colorado Springs, CO. The ideal candidate brings deep J5 planning expertise – including experience executing the full joint planning process at the Combatant Command level – and can ensure SOF and Cyber considerations are fully integrated into USSPACECOM’s global campaign and contingency plans. This role requires the credibility and professional network to serve as an authoritative interface with USSOCOM, USCYBERCOM, and Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) on plan development, resource prioritization, and cross-COCOM coordination.

Responsibilities

• Execute the full J5 planning process, integrating SOF and Cyber options into USSPACECOM campaign plans, contingency plans, and CONPLANs (e.g., CONPLAN 7100, 7130)
• Develop concepts of operations (CONOPs), Courses of Action (COAs), and operational orders that reflect integrated space, SOF, and Cyber perspectives for senior and flag-level review
• Serve as an authoritative interlocutor with USSOCOM, USCYBERCOM, TSOCs, and interagency partners on intersecting plan development and resource prioritization
• Coordinate J5 planning efforts across USSPACECOM directorates, Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs), allied and partner nations, and interagency stakeholders to synchronize activities and resolve planning conflicts
• Develop and present decision-ready products – including briefings, planning summaries, staff packages, and risk assessments – for senior and flag-level leadership under dynamic, time-sensitive conditions
• Integrate Special Technical Operations (STO) and Special Access Program (SAP) capabilities into USSPACECOM operational and strategic plans, ensuring deconfliction of sensitive activities across the space domain
• Support real-world operations, exercises, and wargames including scenario design, Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) development, and After Action Reviews (AARs)
• Identify planning gaps, risks, and constraints at the SOF-Cyber-space seam; propose mitigations and alternatives; maintain situational awareness and adapt planning products as the operational environment evolves
• Maintain strict operational security (OPSEC), manage classification levels (TS/SCI, SAP, ACCM), and ensure compliance with applicable legal and policy frameworks
• Utilize classified collaboration environments (SIPRN, JWICS) to manage and disseminate compartmented planning materials

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (strategic studies, national security affairs, political science, or related field)
• 10+ years of operational and strategic planning experience, with demonstrated service in a J5 billet at a Combatant Command, TSOC, or USCYBERCOM headquarters
• Demonstrated experience executing the Joint Planning Process (JPP), Joint Operational Planning and Execution System (JOPES), and/or Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) at the strategic level
• Direct experience integrating SOF and/or Cyber capabilities into campaign or contingency plans, with a working understanding of how USSOCOM and USCYBERCOM approach plan development and resource prioritization
• 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 strategic studies, national security affairs, space policy, or a related field
• Prior direct experience supporting USSPACECOM J5 or another Geographic Combatant Command (GCC) strategy and plans directorate
• Familiarity with space operations doctrine including JP 3-14 (Space Operations) and JP 5-0 (Joint Planning) and their intersection with SOF and Cyber planning frameworks
• Experience planning or integrating Special Technical Operations (STO) or Special Access Programs (SAP) at the strategic level
• Completion of a formal STO Planner course (e.g., USASTOPC) and/or Planning and Decision Aid System (PDAS) training
• Background in wargame design, modeling and simulation (M&S) tools, or exercise planning at the CCMD level
• Prior military service with experience as a Space Operations Officer (FA40), special operations planner, or Cyber planner in a senior joint billet

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.