Special Operations Planner - Vandenberg SFB

QinetiQ U.S.; California (MO); On-site; 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. The role requires deep operational planning expertise, familiarity with STO/SAP, and the ability to produce decision-ready products for senior leadership under tight deadlines.

You will coordinate across multiple directorates, interagency partners, and allied nations to align plans, develop CONOPs/COAs, and integrate space control capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.
• 10+ years of operational planning experience in special operations, joint, or Combatant Command HQ.
• Experience with JPP, JOPES and/or MDMP.
• Experience planning STO/SAP into plans.
• Strong written and oral communication under pressure.
• Proficient with classified systems including SIPRNet and JWICS.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead operational and strategic planning across the JPP, CONOPs, COAs, contingencies, and OPORDs.
• Integrate STO/SAP capabilities into USSPACECOM plans and CONPLANs.
• Coordinate across directorates, interagency partners, allied nations, and other commands.
• Develop and present decision-ready briefings and staff products for senior leadership.
• Support real-world ops, exercises, and wargames; design scenarios and AARs.
• Incorporate space control capabilities into plans and ensure deconfliction.
• Maintain OPSEC and manage TS/SCI, SAP, ACCM classifications.
• Identify gaps, risks, and mitigations; adapt products as needed.
• Use SIPRNet/JWICS and other tools to disseminate classified planning materials.

Skills

Strategic planning

Briefing development

High-pressure communication

Collaboration across agencies

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in strategic studies or related field

Master's degree in strategic studies (preferred)

Tools

SIPRNet

JWICS

JOPES

Job description

Special Operations Planner - Vandenberg SFB

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 Special Operations Planner to serve as an embedded contractor supporting U.S. Space Forces (S4S) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The ideal candidate brings deep operational planning expertise - including familiarity with Special Technical Operations (STO), compartmented programs, and space domain integration - and can produce decision-ready products for senior leadership under dynamic, time-sensitive conditions.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead operational and strategic planning efforts across the Joint Planning Process (JPP), including development of Concepts of Operations (CONOPs), Courses of Action (COAs), contingency plans, and operational orders
• Integrate special operations and Special Technical Operations (STO) / Special Access Program (SAP) capabilities into USSPACECOM operational plans, campaign plans, and CONPLANS (e.g., CONPLAN 7100, 7130)
• Coordinate planning efforts across USSPACECOM Directorates, interagency partners, allied and partner nations, and other Combatant Commands to synchronize planning activities and resolve conflict
• Develop and present decision-ready products - including briefings, staff packages, operational overlays, risk assessments, and planning summaries - for senior and flag-level leadership
• Support real-world operations, exercises, and wargame including scenario design, Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) development, After Action Reviews (AARs), and observer/trainer support
• Integrate space control capabilities - including Electromagnetic Support (ES) and Electromagnetic Attack (EA) - into operational plans and ensure deconfliction of sensitive activities across the space domain
• Maintain strict operational security (OPSEC), manage classification levels (TS/SCI, SAP, ACCM), and ensure compliance with applicable legal and policy frameworks
• Identify planning gaps, risks, and constraints; propose mitigations and alternatives; maintain situational awareness and adapt planning products as the operational environment evolves
• Utilize classified collaboration environments (SIPRNet, JWICS) and planning tools to manage and disseminate compartmented planning materials

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (strategic studies, political science, aerospace/systems engineering, operations research, or related field)
• 10+ years of operational planning experience in a special operations, joint, or Combatant Command headquarters environment
• Demonstrated experience with the Joint Planning Process (JPP), Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES), and/or Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)
• Experience planning or integrating Special Technical Operations (STO) or Special Access Programs (SAP) into operational plans
• 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, another Geographic Combatant Command (GCC), or the Joint Staff
• Familiarity with space operations doctrine including JP 3-14 (Space Operations) and JP 5-0 (Joint Planning)
• Completion of a formal STO Planner course (e.g., USASTOPC) and/or Planning and Decision Aid System (PDAS) training
• Experience with space domain awareness, satellite communications, missile warning, or space control missions
• Background in wargame design, modeling and simulation (M&S) tools, or exercise planning
• Prior military service with experience as a Space Operations Officer (FA40) or in a special operations planning 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.