Senior Cyber Operations Planner

Description

Athenix Cyber & SIGINT Solutions (ACS) is seeking an experienced Senior Cyberspace Operations Planner to support mission-critical cyberspace operations within the Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) enterprise.

The successful candidate will provide operational planning expertise to support the development, coordination, integration, and execution of joint cyberspace operations. This position requires a strong understanding of joint operational planning, offensive and defensive cyberspace operations, military decision-making processes, and the integration of cyber capabilities into multidomain military operations.

We are looking for a mission-focused professional who thrives in a collaborative operational environment, understands the complexities of cyberspace warfare, and can translate strategic and operational objectives into executable plans.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and support the development, coordination, and refinement of joint cyberspace operational plans in accordance with USCYBERCOM guidance, established planning processes, and applicable joint doctrine.
• Develop and coordinate Operational Plans (OPLANs), Operational Orders (OPORDs), Fragmentary Orders (FRAGOs), concepts of operations (CONOPs), and other operational planning products.
• Participate in and facilitate Operational Planning Teams (OPTs), Operational Planning Groups (OPGs), and other collaborative planning activities.
• Develop and evaluate courses of action (COAs), operational concepts, and planning recommendations supporting cyberspace mission objectives.
• Integrate offensive and defensive cyberspace capabilities with broader joint, interagency, and multidomain operations.
• Coordinate with operational, intelligence, targeting, and technical stakeholders to synchronize cyberspace activities with supported mission objectives.
• Support deliberate planning, crisis action planning, operational assessments, and transition of approved plans to current operations.
• Analyze adversary cyber capabilities, threats, and vulnerabilities to inform operational planning and risk assessments.
• Support targeting development and synchronization activities in coordination with authorized operational and intelligence elements.
• Evaluate operational requirements, capability gaps, and emerging technologies to recommend improvements to cyberspace mission effectiveness.
• Prepare and deliver operational briefings, decision-support products, planning assessments, and recommendations to senior military and civilian leadership.
• Coordinate planning efforts across DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), military Service components, and mission partners.
• Ensure planning activities comply with applicable laws, authorities, policies, and operational guidance.

Requirements

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI access and current polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, National Security Studies, Military Science, or a related discipline. Equivalent relevant military or professional experience may be considered, subject to contract requirements.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in cyberspace operations, military operational planning, intelligence operations, or related mission areas, including significant experience supporting joint or operational-level planning.
• Demonstrated experience developing, coordinating, or supporting joint operational plans and orders.
• Working knowledge of Joint Publication (JP) 3-12, Joint Cyberspace Operations, and JP 5-0, Joint Planning.
• Experience supporting offensive cyberspace operations (OCO), defensive cyberspace operations (DCO), or joint cyberspace operational planning.
• Familiarity with DoD and USCYBERCOM organizational structures, missions, planning processes, and operational coordination requirements.
• Understanding of cyber capabilities, network infrastructure, operational intelligence requirements, and cyber threat environments.
• Ability to prepare high-quality written planning products, conduct operational analysis, and communicate technical and operational concepts to senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across organizations, manage competing priorities, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience supporting USCYBERCOM, CNMF, Joint Force Headquarters–Cyber (JFHQ-C), a Service Cyber Component, or other joint cyberspace operational organizations.
• Completion of a DoD or Service-recognized Cyberspace Operations Planning course.
• Experience supporting Combat Mission Teams (CMTs), Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs), or other Cyber Mission Force elements.
• Experience with cyberspace targeting, operational synchronization, campaign planning, or operational assessments.
• Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I or II, or equivalent joint planning education.
• Master's degree in a technical, intelligence, military studies, or national security discipline.
• Experience integrating cyberspace operations with information operations, electronic warfare, space operations, or other joint warfighting capabilities.
• Familiarity with cyber mission planning tools, operational visualization, data analytics, or AI-enabled planning and decision-support capabilities.
• Experience supporting exercises, mission rehearsals, or operational readiness assessments.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.