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, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, both in the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunities, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.  

The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity.  We are trusted partners developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging high-priority needs, assessing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting capabilities for our National Defense.  Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.

The Strategic Technology Analysis Group, part of SPA’s Space and Intelligence Division, offers sophisticated capabilities (people, process & tools) to resolve unique problems in space, cyber, and special operations in support to military services, Secretary of Defense offices (OSD) and theater warfighters.  Our portfolio includes the Assistant Secretary of Air Force for Space Acquisition & Integration (SAF/SQ), Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC), Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP), National Space Defense Center (NSDC), Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC), Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), US Space Command (USSPACECOM) and US Space Force (USSF).  Come be a part of a high-speed low-drag organization providing unique and tailored solutions for our National Defense!

SPA has an immediate need for a Space Operations Analyst.

The successful candidate will support the Combined Forces Space Component Command (CFSCC) located at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA (VSFB). You will have an exciting and important role joining a small team of experts providing operational-level advice to Command Leaders, supporting the development of military space operations plans and policies. This team helps to ensure unity-of-effort in space operations support to theater warfighters, US government and civil agencies, and commercial and foreign partners. In support of this Space Command warfighting organization, you will routinely interface with HQ United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), other USSPACECOM Components, Combatant Commands, assigned and attached subordinate units, Civil and Department of Defense (DoD) agencies, Coalition Partners, and others as necessary to facilitate the execution of missions and tasks. You will conduct international and domestic trips to coordinate planning efforts to strengthen collaboration and ensure alignment across all participating MNF-OOD nations.

Technical support includes, but is not limited to, the following areas supporting S4S S35, Future Operations and S4S S38, Integration: Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sharing information, Space Domain Awareness (SDA), technical studies, and analyses; operations concept development; operations planning and support; evaluation of operations procedures, capabilities, and requirements; validation and verification activities; and program administrative, security, documentation, and presentation support.  The contractor will attend appropriate planning and development forums and technical interchange meetings to further understand the background and basis for developing technical analyses.

Travel is anticipated - approximately five one-week trips per year which may include international travel.

• Plan, analyze, and assess Command and Control, SDA, SSA sharing and space control concepts, architectures, plans, policies, doctrine, and requirements.
• Provide analytical and administrative support to, and/or products and documents for, combined/joint space operations planning consistent with Joint Publication 5.0, Joint Planning.
• Analyze technical capabilities, mission objectives, and available resources to develop strategies, policy, and guidance, Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), alternatives and recommended solutions to achieve and/or optimize specific desired space operations goals and objectives to ensure CFSCC operations are positioned to support and anticipate end user needs (i.e. doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities).
• Review, analyze, coordinate, recommend revisions to, and draft coordination of, space operations documents including Directives, Instructions, CONOPS, Agreements, Requirements, and other documents as required and provide knowledge management support for CFSCC operations and staff data, etc.
• Provide analysis of potential impacts to the CFSCC missions and corresponding operations center operations including global sensor issues, space events, and US and foreign space policy impacts.
• Support resolution of anomalous events and USG or international policy changes that impact space operations.
• Provide administrative and analytical support for the conduct of Commander Priorities, Readiness, Operations and other Assessments including analyzing and recommending revisions to ensure alignment with applicable orders/missions.
• Provide analytical and administrative support at technical meetings to accomplish task requirements including working groups such as Lessons Learned and Rules of Engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance at time of application with SCI eligibility
• Bachelor's degree with 5-10 years of relevant experience
• Experience providing decision support among diverse agencies, customers, and stakeholders (e.g., commercial, civil, governmental partners)
• Demonstrated proficiency in conveying operational capabilities, limitations, employment needs and requirements through customer-desired products and forums
• Familiarity with space operations in context of joint operations
• Knowledge of varying types of military doctrine to include orders, plans, policies, instructions, and concepts of operations
• Ability to research various sources of information and compile concisely into presentations, information papers, briefings, etc.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Passport

Desired Qualifications

• Prior military experience
• Experience with military operations, planning, and policies
• Experience in space operations and joint operations and working with operational centers
• Knowledge of Joint Publication 3-14 Space Operations; Joint Publication 5-0, Joint Planning
• Knowledge of the Space Surveillance Network, Space Domain Awareness, SATCOM, Missile Warning/Defense, Global Sensor Management, Electromagnetic Interference, and Space Control

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain the top talent.  Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  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, and a number of programs that provide both paid and unpaid time away from work.  The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.  Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only.  Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.  Salary pay range: 130k - 150k.

The successful candidate will support the Combined Forces Space Component Command (CFSCC) located at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA (VSFB). You will have an exciting and important role joining a small team of experts providing operational-level advice to Command Leaders, supporting the development of military space operations plans and policies. This team helps to ensure unity-of-effort in space operations support to theater warfighters, US government and civil agencies, and commercial and foreign partners. In support of this Space Command warfighting organization, you will routinely interface with HQ United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), other USSPACECOM Components, Combatant Commands, assigned and attached subordinate units, Civil and Department of Defense (DoD) agencies, Coalition Partners, and others as necessary to facilitate the execution of missions and tasks. You will conduct international and domestic trips to coordinate planning efforts to strengthen collaboration and ensure alignment across all participating MNF-OOD nations.

Technical support includes, but is not limited to, the following areas supporting S4S S35, Future Operations and S4S S38, Integration: Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sharing information, Space Domain Awareness (SDA), technical studies, and analyses; operations concept development; operations planning and support; evaluation of operations procedures, capabilities, and requirements; validation and verification activities; and program administrative, security, documentation, and presentation support.  The contractor will attend appropriate planning and development forums and technical interchange meetings to further understand the background and basis for developing technical analyses.

Travel is anticipated - approximately five one-week trips per year which may include international travel.

• Plan, analyze, and assess Command and Control, SDA, SSA sharing and space control concepts, architectures, plans, policies, doctrine, and requirements.
• Provide analytical and administrative support to, and/or products and documents for, combined/joint space operations planning consistent with Joint Publication 5.0, Joint Planning.
• Analyze technical capabilities, mission objectives, and available resources to develop strategies, policy, and guidance, Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), alternatives and recommended solutions to achieve and/or optimize specific desired space operations goals and objectives to ensure CFSCC operations are positioned to support and anticipate end user needs (i.e. doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities).
• Review, analyze, coordinate, recommend revisions to, and draft coordination of, space operations documents including Directives, Instructions, CONOPS, Agreements, Requirements, and other documents as required and provide knowledge management support for CFSCC operations and staff data, etc.
• Provide analysis of potential impacts to the CFSCC missions and corresponding operations center operations including global sensor issues, space events, and US and foreign space policy impacts.
• Support resolution of anomalous events and USG or international policy changes that impact space operations.
• Provide administrative and analytical support for the conduct of Commander Priorities, Readiness, Operations and other Assessments including analyzing and recommending revisions to ensure alignment with applicable orders/missions.
• Provide analytical and administrative support at technical meetings to accomplish task requirements including working groups such as Lessons Learned and Rules of Engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance at time of application with SCI eligibility
• Bachelor's degree with 5-10 years of relevant experience
• Experience providing decision support among diverse agencies, customers, and stakeholders (e.g., commercial, civil, governmental partners)
• Demonstrated proficiency in conveying operational capabilities, limitations, employment needs and requirements through customer-desired products and forums
• Familiarity with space operations in context of joint operations
• Knowledge of varying types of military doctrine to include orders, plans, policies, instructions, and concepts of operations
• Ability to research various sources of information and compile concisely into presentations, information papers, briefings, etc.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Passport

Desired Qualifications

• Prior military experience
• Experience with military operations, planning, and policies
• Experience in space operations and joint operations and working with operational centers
• Knowledge of Joint Publication 3-14 Space Operations; Joint Publication 5-0, Joint Planning
• Knowledge of the Space Surveillance Network, Space Domain Awareness, SATCOM, Missile Warning/Defense, Global Sensor Management, Electromagnetic Interference, and Space Control

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain the top talent.  Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  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, and a number of programs that provide both paid and unpaid time away from work.  The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.  Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only.  Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.  Salary pay range: 130k - 150k.