Operations Planner

Start Date: Immediate JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domain expertise across Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities. The combined organization operates as a multi-entity aerospace and defense technology and tech-enabled services and manufacturing enterprise positioned for scalable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation. OVERVIEW Full-time/Permanent Employee Location: Alexandria, VA Aether Aerospace is seeking a Joint Force Operations Planner, as a JFOP you will work as an integral member of a government/contractor team dedicated to evaluating the efficacy of legacy architectures and new technologies applied in new mission concepts of employment to meet evolving joint mission objectives. Joint-Force Mission Engineering: Aid in the development and execution of Mission Engineering Studies, wargames, and tabletop exercises (TTXs) focused on the strategic and operational application of multi-domain forces, dynamic targeting, and its seamless integration across the joint force. Planning Expertise: Consult on the application, understanding, and experience with warfighting disciplines, COA analysis, strategy development, and organizational processes to craft wargames that specifically examine integrated air defense system (IADS) penetration, long-range strike employment, Electronic Warfare (EW), and Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) concepts to inform joint plans and examine assumptions. Threat Intelligence Integration: Support planning through advice on potential threat actors and their impact on military operations. CONOP/CONEMP Development: Collaborate within the team to develop Concepts of Operation (CONOPs)/Concepts of Employment (CONEMPs), metrics to measure mission success, and assist the team in understanding operational activities that rely on the integration of multi-service actions. Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinate with the Warfighter, Joint Staff, and Service Intelligence Centers (including PACOM and J5/J3 staffs) to support ongoing and future operations. Clearance: Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility Education and Years of Experience 7 years of experience in operations research with a focus on mission engineering, systems engineering, or operational analysis. 5 years of experience with mission planning and analysis to include the development or evaluation of mission threads, operational plans (OPLANs), concepts of operations (CONOPS), concepts of employment (CONEMPs) and defense systems. 3 years of experience collaborating with diverse teams including engineering, operational planners, and technologists, to accomplish complex tasks. This includes interactions with the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Services, Intelligence Community or Office of Secretary of Defense organizations. 3 years of working knowledge and experience understanding of modeling, simulation and analysis (MS&A) techniques to support operational planning, system performance analysis, or mission design in defense contexts. 2 years of experience within the military or defense sector in areas related to joint operations, combat systems, research and development (R&D) and science and technology (S&T), or mission planning. Analytic Acumen: Must have strong analytic skills and the ability to apply them in a multi-tasking environment. Communication: Proven communication skills—written and verbal—and a strong ability to work in a collaborative team environment. Joint/Service Staff Experience 3+ years of experience within a Service Planning Staff (e.g., AF/A5, MAJCOM/CCMD A5/A3, Wing Plans), CCMD Service Component Command (e.g., AFCENT, PACAF, USAFE), Joint Staff, or Service Staff, with demonstrable experience in integrating Service capabilities. Strategic Writing: 3+ years of experience in strategic writing, including the development of Concept of Operations, Concept of Employment, and Intelligence Threat Briefs. Domain Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States Intelligence Community (USIC), with proven knowledge of Service doctrine, Integrated Fires, and Future Force Design. Deep understanding of one or more of the following: Long-Range Fires, Space Operations, Maritime Operations, Air Superiority, Electronic / Cyber Warfare, or Logistics. Analytic Acumen: Must have strong analytic skills and the ability to apply them in a multi-tasking environment. Communication: Proven communication skills—written and verbal—and a strong ability to work in a collaborative team environment. Direct experience with Service Force Presentation or Readiness Reporting documents, including the planning and execution of Tasking Orders or operational experience in an Operations Center. Familiarity with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or Modeling and Simulation applied to platform survivability, integrated air defense, or long-range effects. Other Experience Experience as a Combatant Command or Joint Staff J5 or J3 Contingency or Campaign Planner. JSCP and/or GFMAP build experience. Experience in a leadership role (OPT Lead or Battle Rhythm Event Lead) in Major Staff Exercises. Advanced Planning Education: Graduate of an Advanced Warfare Planning School such as School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS), SAMS, SAW, JAWS, or MAWS. Previous SAP experience. Aether Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic. #J-18808-Ljbffr