QinetiQ North America

Special Operations Planner - J3

QinetiQ North America$130K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as strategic studies or national security affairs
  • Over 10 years of operational experience, mainly in J3 or equivalent roles at Combatant Commands or USCYBERCOM
  • Experience as a senior SOF or Cyber operator with knowledge of USSOCOM and USCYBERCOM planning
  • Proven capability to manage multi-domain operations involving space-enabled effects
  • Experience with compartmented programs (TS/SCI, SAP, ACCM) focusing on OPSEC adherence
  • Strong communication skills with a history of producing timely, high-quality briefings
  • Proficiency in classified planning tools like SIPRNet and JWICS
  • Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required

Responsibilities

  • Support operations planning involving SOF and Cyber effects, including CONOP development and coordination
  • Coordinate operational activities with GCCs, TSOCs, and interagency partners
  • Integrate multi-domain options while managing operational tempo
  • Facilitate sensitive planning activities ensuring classification management and operational security
  • Develop decision-ready products for senior leadership on tight timelines
  • Contribute as an embedded representative during real-world operations and exercises
  • Provide expertise in SOF hardware integration and collaborate with stakeholders

Benefits

  • Opportunity to support high-level operations at USSPACECOM
  • Experience working with a variety of specialized military teams
  • Participation in advanced planning and operational security measures
  • Exposure to cutting-edge defense strategies and technologies
  • Possibility to contribute to significant national security initiatives
Full 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 J3 Operations Integrator to serve as an embedded contractor supporting the USSPACECOM headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO. The ideal candidate is a former senior SOF or Cyber operator with direct J3 experience at a Combatant Command, TSOC, or USCYBERCOM, and a demonstrated ability to navigate complex cross-command coordination and approval processes.

Responsibilities
  • Support current and future operations planning (CUOPs/FUOPs) involving SOF and Cyber effects, including CONOP development, staffing, and coordination through USSPACECOM directorates and external partners
  • Coordinate with Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), interagency partners, and foreign SOF elements to synchronize cross-COCOM operational activities
  • Integrate and deconflict multi-domain options, managing operational timing and tempo where SOF and Cyber capabilities are employed alongside space-enabled effects
  • Facilitate sensitive activities within USSPACECOM authorities, ensuring classification management (TS/SCI, SAP, ACCM) and operational security across all planning products
  • Develop and present decision-ready products, including briefings, staff packages, CONOP summaries, and risk assessments, for senior and flag-level leadership on short-suspense timelines
  • Support real-world operations and exercises as the embedded SOF and Cyber representative, contributing to scenario design, MSEL development, and observer/trainer roles
  • Where required, provide expertise in SOF hardware integration, coordinating across operational, engineering, and programmatic stakeholders to address space-enabled capability requirements
  • Maintain situational awareness of SOF and Cyber equities across the command and adapt planning products as the operational environment evolves
  • Operate across classified collaboration environments (SIPRNet, JWICS) and planning tools to manage and disseminate compartmented materials
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (strategic studies, political science, operations research, national security affairs, or related field)
  • 10+ years of operational experience, with a significant portion in J3 or equivalent operations billets at a Combatant Command, TSOC, or USCYBERCOM
  • Prior experience as a senior SOF or Cyber operator with direct knowledge of how USSOCOM and USCYBERCOM approach plan development, resourcing, or coordination
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate and deconflict multi-domain operations, including space-enabled SOF and Cyber effects, within a joint operational planning framework
  • Experience managing sensitive activities and compartmented programs (TS/SCI, SAP, ACCM) with strict adherence to OPSEC requirements
  • Strong written and oral communication skills with a track record of producing high-quality briefings, orders, and staff packages under high-pressure, short-suspense conditions
  • Proficiency with SIPRNet, JWICS, and other classified planning and collaboration tools
  • 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 or another Combatant Command headquarters
  • Familiarity with space operations doctrine, including JP 3-14 (Space Operations) and JP 3-05 (Special Operations)
  • Background in cross-COCOM coordination involving both functional commands (USSOCOM, USCYBERCOM) and geographic combatant commands
  • Experience with space domain awareness, satellite communications, missile warning, or space control missions as they relate to SOF and Cyber employment
  • Completion of formal STO Planner training (e.g., USASTOPC) and/or direct experience integrating Special Technical Operations into operational plans
  • Prior military service in a J3 billet at the CCMD or TSOC level, or as a senior Cyber Warfare Officer with joint operational experience
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.

About QinetiQ North America

QinetiQ North America (QNA) is a subsidiary of QinetiQ Group plc, a British multinational defense technology company. QNA provides technology solutions and services to the United States government and commercial customers. The company's offerings include unmanned systems, cybersecurity solutions, engineering services, and more. QNA has over 6000 employees and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.
Learn more about QinetiQ North America
Size
6,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2005

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