Senior Exercise Planner

Description

SAIC is seeking an Exercise Planner to serve as an operational and strategic resource on the Headquarters staff, supporting the conceptualization, planning, execution, and assessment of joint and service-level exercises. This critical role provides subject matter expertise on DoD Joint Exercise Planning processes and ensures exercises are designed and executed to sharpen force readiness, coalition interoperability, and alignment with Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and joint command objectives. The Planner leverages deep understanding of military doctrine, tactics, and command relationships, supporting Higher HQ and subordinate commands as they address complex operational challenges in multi-domain environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Exercise Planning & Management: Lead development, coordination, and execution of realistic, high-fidelity joint and service-level exercises that test operational concepts, contingency plans, and warfighting readiness.
• Joint & MAGTF Expertise: Apply expertise in joint and Marine Corps doctrine to integrate MAGTF and combined/joint force elements throughout exercise design, execution, and assessment.
• DoD Exercise Lifecycle Support: Manage all phases of the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC): requirements analysis, concept and scenario development, event design, scripting, execution, after-action assessment, and lessons learned integration.
• Scenario Development: Develop complex, realistic exercise scenarios incorporating multi-domain operations, cyber, logistics, and coalition/interagency play.
• Assessment & Analysis: Gather and analyze data throughout the exercise (including observer/controller reports and participant feedback) to produce actionable recommendations and after-action reports that inform future planning and drive operational improvement.
• Cross-functional Coordination: Serve as a key interface between Higher and subordinate HQs, other service components, and external partners-including allied and coalition forces-to ensure exercise alignment and interoperability.
• Doctrine and Policy Integration: Ensure all exercises reflect current U.S. military policy, established doctrine, command guidance, and current operational priorities.
• Briefings & Reporting: Prepare and deliver briefings for leadership, distilling complex exercise objectives, outcomes, and recommendations in clear, actionable formats.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in national security, military studies, operations research, or closely related field.
• Experience:
  
  • At least 5 years' experience supporting joint or service-level exercises within Marine higher headquarters, with hands-on involvement in planning, execution, and after-action review.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) and DoD/Service-level exercise regulations and processes.
  • Familiarity with Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) structure, roles, command relationships, and operational doctrine.
  • Experience developing and managing complex exercise scenarios and delivering post-exercise analysis/lessons learned integration.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with standard DoD planning tools, Microsoft Office suite, and classified/secure communications systems.
• Clearance: Active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: 5-8 years supporting joint, combined, or service-level exercises at a Marine higher headquarters (e.g., MARFORPAC, MEF, Division, or equivalent command).
  
  • Direct involvement with multi-component, international, or combined exercises a strong plus.
• Advanced Education: Master's degree in strategic studies, defense analysis, or related field.
• Professional Military Education: Completion of Joint Professional Military Education (JPME I/II), Command and Staff College, or Marine Corps equivalent.
• Interagency/Coalition Experience: Success in roles requiring coordination with interagency, coalition, or partner-nation military forces.
• Communications: Strong written and oral communication skills, with experience delivering executive-level briefings and producing high-impact reports.
• Certifications: Formal certification in Joint Exercise Planning or related DoD training highly valued.

Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.