Special Operations Planner - Vandenberg SFB with Security Clearance

QinetiQ US; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US seeks an experienced Special Operations Planner to embed with US Space Forces at Vandenberg AFB, CA. Lead strategic and operational planning efforts and produce decision-ready products for senior leadership under tight deadlines.

The role requires deep expertise in JPP, JOPES, and MDMP, with STO/SAP integration and strong written/oral communication. Active TS/SCI clearance and a track record with space domain operations are highly preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline required.
• 10+ years of operational planning experience in special operations or GCC/JCS environments.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required; knowledge of classified environments a must.
• Experience planning or integrating STOs or SAPs into operational plans.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for high-pressure briefings and staff products.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead operational and strategic planning across the Joint Planning Process (JPP).
• Integrate STO/SAP capabilities into USSPACECOM plans, CONPLANs, and operational concepts.
• Coordinate planning across Directorates, interagency partners, and allied commands.
• Develop decision-ready products: briefings, staff packages, overlays, risk assessments, and planning summaries.
• Support real-world ops, exercises, and wargaming including AARs and MSEL development.
• Maintain OPSEC and handle TS/SCI classifications; ensure policy compliance.
• Utilize SIPRNet/JWICS to manage and disseminate compartmented planning materials.

Skills

Operational planning

Joint Planning Process (JPP)

JOPES

MDMP

Written communication

Top Secret/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in strategic studies, political science, aerospace/engineering, operations research, or related field

Master's degree in strategic studies, national security affairs, space policy, or related field

Tools

SIPRNet

JWICS

Job description

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.