Senior Operations Engineer

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level operational guidance, planning, and support to ensure effective mission execution across space, ground, and command-and-control (C2) domains.
• Integrate operational expertise with program execution, advising leadership on authority relationships, joint operations, and mission partner coordination.
• Understand and leverage relationships between Combatant Command (COCOM) and Tactical Control (TACON) authorities to support operational planning and execution.
• Apply knowledge and operational experience with the Joint Space Operations Center, USSTRATCOM, and associated mission partners to enable mission success.
• Support Special Technical Operations (STO), preferably in joint environments with geographically separated units.
• Provide operational guidance to program teams to ensure alignment with mission objectives and operational requirements.
• Cookordination with multi-disciplinary engineering, test, acquisition, and operational teams to ensure technically sound and mission-ready program execution.
• Identify operational risks and provide recommendations for mitigation to senior leadership.
• Prepare and deliver briefings, operational assessments, and decision-support materials to program and mission stakeholders.
• Represent the program office in operational working groups, mission planning sessions, and cross-organizational forums.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of COCOM and TACON authority relationships and operational implications.
• Experience with Joint Space Operations Center, USSTRATCOM, and mission partner coordination.
• Demonstrated operational experience supporting Special Technical Operations (STO) in joint environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of conveying complex operational concepts to senior leadership.

Desired Requirements

• Experience supporting ACAT I/II or highly classified programs in a joint operational environment.
• Familiarity with DoD operational standards, joint mission planning processes, and command relationships.
• Experience with operational planning tools, mission tracking systems, or joint exercise participation.

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience in comparable programs or roles required. Degree should be in aerospace engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.

Clearance Requirements

Active TOP SECRET clearance with SCI eligibility (w/SAP preferred). Must be willing to work within SAP environments.

Location/Travel Requirements

Full-time on-site support within secure government facilities (SAPF/SCIF). Approximately 15–20% CONUS travel, with potential for limited OCONUS travel depending on mission needs.

Pay Range

The pay range for this position in California is $140,000/year to $180,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract wages, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors.