Senior Operations Subject Matter Expert

Employer description

Senior Operations Subject Matter Expert

Suffolk, VA

Minimum of Secret clearance required

The Defense Sector at Leidos is currently looking for a Senior Joint Operations Analyst / Multi‑Domain Operations Lead. In this position you will provide expert-level leadership, operational analysis, and mission support across the full spectrum of military operations. This position supports Combatant Commands, Joint Staff organizations, mission partners, and operational assessment activities by delivering comprehensive expertise in planning, execution, testing, and evaluation of joint military capabilities.

The successful candidate will leverage extensive operational experience across all warfighting domains to assess military capabilities, support mission planning, validate operational concepts, and provide actionable recommendations that enhance readiness, interoperability, and mission effectiveness. This role requires a seasoned military operations professional with a broad understanding of joint warfighting functions, operational planning, and deployed combat operations.

Primary Responsibilities:

Joint Operations Leadership — Provide senior-level management of planning, preparation, research, coordination, and execution of military operations-related tasks, delivering expert analysis, operational insight, and mission-focused recommendations.Operational Assessment & Analysis — Evaluate operational capabilities, identify limitations and risks, assess mission impacts, and develop focused, achievable recommendations to improve operational effectiveness.Analytical Product Development — Develop and deliver comprehensive analytical reports, operational assessments, workflow visualizations, mission-thread products, and executive-level briefings for senior leaders and stakeholders.Military Mission Planning Support — Coordinate, plan, and support the execution of military operations and mission activities across multiple operational environments and mission sets.Joint Warfighting Integration — Apply expertise across all Joint Warfighting Functions, including Command and Control, Information, Intelligence, Fires, Movement and Maneuver, Protection, and Sustainment.Testing & Validation Activities — Plan, coordinate, and conduct operational testing, validation, and assessment activities to evaluate mission effectiveness, capability performance, and interoperability.Operational Data Analysis — Gather, process, and analyze operational data to identify trends, assess performance, and provide decision-quality recommendations supporting operational objectives.Multi-Domain Operations Expertise — Provide subject matter expertise on Department of the Navy, Joint Force, and Defense organizations, operations, capabilities, tactics, techniques, and procedures across all operational domains.Tactical Combat Operations Support — Apply operational knowledge gained through deployed and combat-support environments to assess tactical challenges, operational risks, and mission requirements.Stakeholder Engagement & Information Collection — Conduct interviews with military, civilian, and contractor personnel to accurately extract operational and technical information required for assessments and recommendations.Mission Readiness & Sustainment Support — Support sustainment efforts to ensure consistent quality, efficiency, productivity, and operational effectiveness across all assigned tasks and projects.Training & Knowledge Development — Conduct internal training, mentoring, and knowledge-transfer activities aligned with military operations subject matter expertise and organizational requirements.Executive Communications — Prepare and deliver written reports, briefings, presentations, and other communication products tailored to senior military leaders, government officials, and technical stakeholders.Cross-Functional Coordination — Collaborate with operational, technical, intelligence, fires, logistics, and command-and-control stakeholders to ensure mission requirements are effectively addressed across the operational enterprise.Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives — Support special studies, operational assessments, exercises, experimentation activities, and strategic initiatives as required. 

Basic Qualifications:

US Citizen with an active Secret clearance.Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years related experience or Master’s degree and 6+ years related experience. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.Minimum of 8 years of military, government, or contractor experience supporting Joint, Service, Combatant Command, Defense Agency, or operational-level organizations.Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, executing, or assessing military operations at the tactical, operational, or strategic level.Working knowledge of Joint doctrine, military planning processes, and operational concepts, including joint and multi-domain operations.Experience conducting operational assessments, capability evaluations, mission analysis, risk assessments, or operational effectiveness reviews.Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and synthesize complex operational data into actionable recommendations for leadership decision-making.Experience in developing analytical reports, operational assessments, executive summaries, decision papers, briefing materials, and senior leader presentations.Knowledge of Joint Warfighting Functions, including Command and Control, Information, Intelligence, Fires, Movement and Maneuver, Protection, and Sustainment.Experience supporting operational test events, military exercises, experimentation activities, interoperability assessments, or validation efforts.Ability to facilitate interviews, meetings, workshops, and information-gathering sessions with military, government, and contractor personnel.Experience collaborating across diverse operational and technical organizations, including operations, intelligence, logistics, communications, and command-and-control stakeholders.Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief senior military officers, government civilians, and executive-level stakeholders.Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and collaboration tools used to develop reports, assessments, and presentations.Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in fast-paced operational environments. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Active TS with eligibility for CUI, NATO Secret, ACCMs, SCI and SAPs.Experience with Operational-Strategic Level Planning effortsAdvanced or Intermediate military level school graduateOperational and C5ISR Assessment ExperienceMission Partner Environment ExperienceJoint Operational Planning Process (JOPP) CourseJITC Testing and Evaluation ExperienceCoalition Interoperability Assurance & Validation ExperienceJoint Staff, Combatant Command, or JTF ExperienceOperational Assessment Certification/TrainingMulti-Domain Operations (MDO) or JADC2 TrainingTactical Data Link (Link-16) / C2 Systems ExperienceOperational Deployment Experience 

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If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:October 21, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.