Space Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) / Senior Operations Exercise Planner- Suffolk, VA

Serco is seeking a Space Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) / Senior Operations Exercise Planner to join the Joint Staff J-7 Deputy Directorate for Joint Training and Exercises (DDJTE) in Suffolk, Virginia. In this high-impact role, you will be part of an elite team responsible for integrating Space Operations, Missile Defense, and Multi-Domain Operations into some of the Department of Defense's most complex Joint training events, exercises, and operational assessments.

About the role

Working directly with Joint Staff, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Space Force organizations, Combatant Commands, Service components, coalition partners, and senior military leaders, you will help design realistic training environments that incorporate space domain awareness, missile warning, satellite communications, positioning, navigation and timing, space control, and emerging space warfare capabilities. Your expertise will directly contribute to developing warfighter readiness, advancing Joint Force integration, and ensuring commanders are prepared to compete, deter, and prevail in an increasingly contested space and strategic threat environment.

This position is contingent upon the ability to maintain/transfer an active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Top Secret (TS) security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead Space Operations advisor supporting Joint exercise planning, operational assessments, and capability development initiatives.
• Integrate space operations and space-enabled capabilities throughout all phases of the Joint Event Life Cycle (JELC).
• Develop realistic space-related scenarios, operational injects, and training objectives for Joint and coalition exercises.
• Provide expertise on U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command missions, capabilities, operational concepts, and planning considerations.
• Incorporate space domain awareness, missile warning, satellite communications, positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), space control, and space support operations into training events.
• Analyze adversary space capabilities and threats to enhance operational realism and training effectiveness.
• Coordinate with Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Space Force organizations, Service Components, and coalition partners to synchronize space-related activities.
• Participate in planning conferences, In-Progress Reviews (IPRs), operational working groups, and senior leader engagements.
• Support exercise execution as a Space Operations representative within Exercise Control (EXCON), operational cells, or functional planning teams.
• Develop operational assessments, lessons learned, and recommendations to improve Joint Force integration of space capabilities.

Requirements

• An active DoD Top Secret (TS) clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of relevant military, government, or industry experience supporting space operations OR a Master's Degree and 6 years of relevant experience.
• Experience supporting Joint, Combatant Command, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Space Force, Service Headquarters, or equivalent organizations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command operations, missions, organizations, and capabilities.
• Strong understanding of Joint Planning Processes, Joint doctrine, Multi-Domain Operations, and the integration of space effects into military operations.
• Strong analytical, writing, briefing, and communication skills.
• Ability to work on-site in Suffolk, Virginia.
• The ability to travel up to 25%.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a U.S. Passport.

Qualifications

• Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase II or Senior Service College graduate.
• Former U.S. Space Force Guardian, Air Force Space Operations Officer (13S), Space Electronic Warfare professional, Missile Warning specialist, or Space Operations planner.
• Experience supporting Combatant Command exercises, wargaming, experimentation, operational planning, or readiness assessments.
• Familiarity with Joint Training Tool (JTT), Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) development, and Joint exercise planning processes.
• Knowledge of Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), space domain awareness, commercial space integration, and emerging space capabilities.

About the company

Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco’s 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers. Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients.

Pay

Salary range: The range for this position is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job-related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long-term incentive opportunities.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits for full-time employees (part-time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract
• 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Employee Assistance Plan

Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans.