Hiring: Special Operations Planner Team Lead – Peterson SFB Company: QinetiQ US Location: Colorado Springs, CO Job Posted Time: 2026-09-16 12:10:27 Employment Type: Contract Target Skills & Keywords : AI, Accessibility, Elasticsearch, Embedded Systems, Machine Learning, Program Management, SAP, Systems Engineering About the job Experience: •15+ years of operational planning experience in a special operations, joint, or Combatant Command headquarters environment •3+ years of demonstrated supervisory or team lead experience managing planners or analysts in a DoW or cleared contractor environment Required Skills: •Team Leadership & Program Management •Serve as the senior contractor point of contact for all planning support activities, interfacing directly with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and government leadership on performance, staffing, and priorities •Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Special Operations Planners – assigning work, monitoring quality, balancing workload, and ensuring all contract deliverables are met on time and within scope •Conduct performance evaluations, support professional development, and maintain high team morale and retention in a demanding operational environment •Identify and escalate staffing gaps, resource constraints, and performance issues; coordinate with QinetiQ program management on hiring and personnel actions •Direct and personally contribute to the development of operational and strategic planning products across the Joint Planning Process (JPP), including CONOPs, COAs, contingency plans, campaign plans, and operational orders •Lead integration of Special Technical Operations (STO) and Special Access Program (SAP) capabilities into USSPACECOM operational plans and CONPLANS •Serve as the senior planning authority for coordination across USSPACECOM Directorates, interagency partners, allied and partner nations, and other Combatant Commands Qualifications: •Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (strategic studies, political science, aerospace/systems engineering, operations research, or related field) •Proven experience leading planning teams through the full Joint Planning Process (JPP), including delivery of completed CONOPs, COAs, and operational orders to senior leadership •Direct experience planning or integrating Special Technical Operations (STO) or Special Access Programs (SAP) into operational plans at the combatant command level •Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, communicate clearly with government customers, and hold a team accountable to quality standards under tight deadlines •Strong written and oral communication skills with a track record of producing and presenting high-quality products to flag/general/senior executive service (SES)-level audiences •Proficiency with classified systems and environments including SIPRNet and JWICS •Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required; #qinetiqclearedjob •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), the Joint Staff, or SOCOM at the O-6/GS-15 equivalent level or above •Operational familiarity with space operations doctrine including JP 3-14 (Space Operations) and JP 5-0 (Joint Planning) 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!