Operations Subject Matter Expert

About the role

The Defense Sector at Leidos is seeking a Joint Operations Analyst / Multi‑Domain Operations Lead to provide operational analysis and mission support across the full spectrum of military operations. This position supports Combatant Commands, Joint Staff organizations, mission partners, and operational assessment activities by delivering comprehensive expertise in planning, execution, testing, and evaluation of joint military capabilities. The role requires a seasoned military operations professional with broad understanding of joint warfighting functions, operational planning, and deployed combat operations. Location: Suffolk, VA. Minimum Secret clearance required. Job ID: DABAOPP1. Original posting: October 21, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Joint Operations Support — Provide planning, preparation, research, coordination, and execution of military operations-related tasks, delivering expert analysis, operational insight, and mission-focused recommendations.
• Operational Assessment & Analysis — Evaluate operational capabilities, identify limitations and risks, assess mission impacts, and develop focused, achievable recommendations to improve operational effectiveness.
• Analytical Product Development — Develop and deliver comprehensive analytical reports, operational assessments, workflow visualizations, mission-thread products, and executive-level briefings for senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Military Mission Planning Support — Coordinate, plan, and support the execution of military operations and mission activities across multiple operational environments and mission sets.
• Joint Warfighting Integration — Apply expertise across all Joint Warfighting Functions, including Command and Control, Information, Intelligence, Fires, Movement and Maneuver, Protection, and Sustainment.
• Testing & Validation Activities — Plan, coordinate, and conduct operational testing, validation, and assessment activities to evaluate mission effectiveness, capability performance, and interoperability.
• Operational Data Analysis — Gather, process, and analyze operational data to identify trends, assess performance, and provide decision-quality recommendations supporting operational objectives.
• Multi-Domain Operations Expertise — Provide subject matter expertise on Department of the Navy, Joint Force, and Defense organizations, operations, capabilities, tactics, techniques, and procedures across all operational domains.
• Tactical Combat Operations Support — Apply operational knowledge gained through deployed and combat-support environments to assess tactical challenges, operational risks, and mission requirements.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Information Collection — Conduct interviews with military, civilian, and contractor personnel to accurately extract operational and technical information required for assessments and recommendations.
• Mission Readiness & Sustainment Support — Support sustainment efforts to ensure consistent quality, efficiency, productivity, and operational effectiveness across all assigned tasks and projects.
• Training & Knowledge Development — Conduct internal training, mentoring, and knowledge-transfer activities aligned with military operations subject matter expertise and organizational requirements.
• Executive Communications — Prepare and deliver written reports, briefings, presentations, and other communication products tailored to senior military leaders, government officials, and technical stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Coordination — Collaborate with operational, technical, intelligence, fires, logistics, and command-and-control stakeholders to ensure mission requirements are effectively addressed across the operational enterprise.
• Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives — Support special studies, operational assessments, exercises, experimentation activities, and strategic initiatives as required.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• US Citizen with an active Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years related experience, or Master’s degree and 2+ years related experience (additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree).
• Minimum 4 years of military, government, or contractor experience supporting Joint, Service, Combatant Command, Defense Agency, or operational-level organizations.
• Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, executing, or assessing military operations at the tactical and operational level.
• Working knowledge of Joint doctrine, military planning processes, and operational concepts, including joint and multi-domain operations.
• Experience conducting operational assessments, capability evaluations, mission analysis, risk assessments, or operational effectiveness reviews.
• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and synthesize complex operational data into actionable recommendations for leadership decision-making.
• Experience developing analytical reports, operational assessments, executive summaries, decision papers, briefing materials, and senior leader presentations.
• Knowledge of Joint Warfighting Functions (Command and Control, Information, Intelligence, Fires, Movement and Maneuver, Protection, Sustainment).
• Experience supporting operational test events, military exercises, experimentation activities, interoperability assessments, or validation efforts.
• Ability to facilitate interviews, meetings, workshops, and information-gathering sessions with military, government, and contractor personnel.
• Experience collaborating across diverse operational and technical organizations (operations, intelligence, logistics, communications, command-and-control).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including briefing senior military officers, government civilians, and executive-level stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaboration tools for reports, assessments, and presentations.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in fast-paced operational environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS with eligibility for CUI, NATO Secret, ACCMs, SCI, and SAPs.
• Experience with Tactical-Operational Level Planning efforts.
• Advanced or Intermediate military level school graduate.
• Operational and C5ISR Assessment Experience.
• Mission Partner Environment Experience.
• Joint Operational Planning Process (JOPP) Course.
• JITC Testing and Evaluation Experience.
• Coalition Interoperability Assurance & Validation Experience.
• Operational Assessment Certification/Training.
• Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) or JADC2 Training.
• Tactical Data Link (Link-16) / C2 Systems Experience.

Pay

Pay Range: $73,450.00 – $132,775.00. The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered include responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, market data, applicable bargaining agreements, and applicable law.

Benefits

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave, and Retirement. More details available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.