Hiring: Special Operations Planner - J8 Company: QinetiQ US Location: Colorado Springs, CO Job Posted Time: 2026-09-15 13:36:47 Target Skills & Keywords : AI, Accessibility, Embedded Systems, Machine Learning, Systems Engineering About the job Experience: •10+ years of experience in defense resource management, force structure analysis, or financial management at a joint headquarters, Combatant Command, Service Secretariat, or OSW level Required Skills: •Support and lead force structure and resource management efforts across USSPACECOM’s J8 directorate, including analysis of capability requirements, investment priorities, and programmatic tradeoffs in support of USSPACECOM’s Integrated Priority List (IPL) and operational objectives •Develop, coordinate, and staff USSPACECOM inputs to the Defense Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, including Program Objective Memorandum (POM) submissions, budget exhibits, and Program Review documentation across USSPACECOM-aligned programs and space warfighting capabilities •Conduct force structure assessments and capability gap analyses to identify resourcing shortfalls, redundancies, and investment opportunities across the space domain; translate operational requirements into defensible resource requests and acquisition recommendations •Coordinate resource and force structure planning across USSPACECOM Directorates, Service Components, the Office of the Security of War (OSW), the Joint Staff J8, and other Combatant Commands to synchronize investment strategies and resolve programmatic conflicts •Develop and present decision-ready resource products – including briefings, staff packages, cost-benefit analyses, force structure assessments, and program summaries – for senior and flag-level leadership and external stakeholders including Congress and OSW •Actively facilitate and support development of USSPACECOM’s Requirements Generation process, including staffing of Joint Capability Technology Demonstrations (JCTDs), Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUONs), and Joint Emergent Operational Needs (JEONs) with appropriate cost and force structure analysis •Integrate financial management and execution data into resource planning products, monitoring obligations and expenditures against program plans and identifying adjustments needed to maintain program health and mission alignment •Maintain strict operational security (OPSEC), manage classification levels (TS/SCI), and ensure all resource management and force structure products simply with applicable legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks including DoW Financial Management Regulation (FMR) Qualifications: •Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (finance, economics, public administration, systems engineering, operations research, or related field) •Demonstrated experience with the DoW Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, including POM development, Program Review, and budget justification documentation •Strong written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality briefings, analytical assessments, and staff packages under high-pressure, short-suspense conditions •Proficiency with classified systems and tools including SIPRNet and JWICS, as well as DoW resource management and financial systems •Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required; #qinetiqclearedjob •Master’s degree in finance, business administration, public policy, national security affairs, systems engineering, or a related field •Prior direct experience supporting USSPACECOM, another Functional Combatant Command (FCC), the Joint Staff J8, or OSW Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) •Operational familiarity with space operations doctrine and space warfighting investment priorities, including programs supporting space domain awareness, satellite communications, missile warning, and space control •Proficiency with DoW resource management tools such as the Program Budget Information System (PBIS), Comptroller Information System (CIS), or equivalent budget execution and visibility platforms •Background in cost estimating, independent cost assessment, or earned value management (EVM) in support of space or national security programs Compensation: •$130,000 - $180,000 / year •Flexible work environment (work from home / hybrid options) Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!