Space Force ISR Instructor

About the Company

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, SPA is known for continuous innovation for government customers in both the US and abroad. The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA, including enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity.

The Strategic Technology Analysis Group, part of SPA’s Space and Intelligence Division, offers sophisticated capabilities to resolve unique problems in space, cyber, and special operations in support of military services, Secretary of Defense offices, and theater warfighters. The group supports key organizations such as the Assistant Secretary of Air Force for Space Acquisition & Integration, Joint Warfare Analysis Center, Space Security and Defense Program, National Space Defense Center, Space Warfighting Analysis Center, Strategic Capabilities Office, US Space Command, and US Space Force.

About the Role

SPA is seeking an experienced ISR Instructor / Subject Matter Expert (SME) to serve as a lead instructor and curriculum developer supporting the United States Space Force ISR enterprise. The successful candidate will deliver instructor-led training for the Space Warfighter Intelligence Fundamentals Training (SWIFT), Analysis, Structured Techniques, Reasoning, and Operational Trade-craft (ASTRO), and Mission Planning Course (MPC) programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead course development, updates, and primary instruction for Space Force ISR training.
• Serve as the ISR subject matter expert, ensuring curriculum accuracy, relevancy, and alignment with evolving USSF ISR requirements.
• Train students in the fundamentals of collecting, analyzing, and applying intelligence techniques and tradecraft using real-world operational scenarios.
• Maintain close coordination with mission partners to ensure training reflects current operational needs.
• Deliver instructor-led training for SWIFT, ASTRO, and MPC programs, including classroom instruction, practical exercises, scenario-based learning, student assessments, and after-action reviews in a classified training environment.
• Instruct students on intelligence fundamentals, structured analytic techniques, critical thinking, operational trade-craft, mission planning, ISR integration, and space operations.
• Develop, review, and maintain Programs of Instruction (POIs), lesson plans, practical exercises, assessments, student materials, and courseware.
• Support curriculum updates to ensure training materials remain aligned with current doctrine, tactics, techniques, procedures, and mission requirements.
• Evaluate student performance, provide coaching and feedback, and maintain accurate training records and documentation.
• Coordinate with instructors, Government stakeholders, and program leadership to ensure successful planning and execution of training events.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by incorporating student feedback, after-action reviews, and operational lessons learned into course content and delivery.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance at time of application.
• BA/BS (or equivalent experience) and 10+ years of experience supporting the USSF ISR mission.
• 4+ years of professional instruction experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a diverse customer set.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Air Force (DAF), Intelligence Community (IC), space operations, intelligence, ISR, mission planning, intelligence training, or analytic trade-craft.
• Experience delivering instructor-led training, operational instruction, or courseware in a classified DoD or Intelligence Community environment.
• Experience developing or maintaining Programs of Instruction (POIs), lesson plans, practical exercises, assessments, and instructional courseware.
• Experience teaching intelligence fundamentals, structured analytic techniques, mission planning, operational trade-craft, ISR, or related intelligence disciplines.
• Ability to facilitate classroom discussions, practical exercises, student evaluations, and after-action reviews.
• Familiarity with DAFH 36-2675, instructional systems design (ISD), ADDIE methodology, or formal military instructor certification programs.
• Experience supporting the U.S. Space Force (USSF), U.S. Air Force (USAF), Combat Forces Command (CFC), Space Delta 7, or other classified space intelligence organizations.
• Knowledge of space operations, ISR, mission planning, space targeting, and classified space intelligence training environments.
• Ability to travel up to 10% to support mission requirements, CONUS and OCONUS.
• Ability to work full-time on-site at Peterson Space Force Base.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Recent Space Force ISR experience.
• Recent Space Force instructor or schoolhouse experience.
• Experience supporting Space Warfighter Intelligence Fundamentals Training (SWIFT), Analysis, Structured Techniques, Reasoning, and Operational Trade-craft (ASTRO), Mission Planning Course (MPC), or comparable intelligence training programs.

Benefits

SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including:

• Health insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Health savings accounts
• Retirement savings plans
• Life and disability insurance programs
• Paid and unpaid time away from work

The specific programs and options available may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location and date of hire.

Pay

Pay Transparency Range: $140,000 - $170,000 per year. Salaries are commensurate with experience, qualifications, market, and business considerations.