Operations Research Analyst & Planner
About The Position
Darkblade Systems, a CIS Secure company, is seeking an Operations Research Analyst and Planner to provide Group 1–3 counter-unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS) subject matter expertise, review, assessment, and recommendations to USAFCENT A3 and A2. The role coordinates shared equities and overlapping support with USARCENT, other Service Components, and USCENTCOM Combatant Command staffs on capabilities to detect, track, identify, and defeat Group 1–3 UAS threats in the USCENTCOM area of operations. The position supports CUAS planning, operational capability assessment, readiness reporting, capability-gap identification, integration, procurement and placement recommendations, and coordination across joint and service organizations. It represents USAFCENT CUAS equities in command-level information exchanges and briefings, maintains CUAS data and briefing materials, and prepares orders and related documents. Work is 100% onsite unless otherwise discussed and approved by the Program Manager and customer, on a standard eight-hour Monday–Friday schedule. Routine or extended travel, potentially OCONUS and with minimal notice, may be required.
Requirements
- Active and current Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is required at application for initial consideration; the position does not offer sponsorship or clearance upgrade outside the SCI nomination, including clearance reactivation.
- Bachelor’s degree required; four additional years of experience may be considered as a substitute for the degree.
- At least 10 years of relevant experience, including cumulative experience supporting Air Defense and Group 1–3 CUAS activities and operations.
- At least two years of Air Defense or CUAS planning experience in a Service Component Command, Combatant Command, or Joint Staff organization.
- Experience with digital mission command systems, including AMDWS, FAAD C2, and ADSI.
- Familiarity with Link-16 and associated equipment and processes.
- Experience staffing the integration of CUAS with Air Defense systems and processes.
- Proficiency with MS Office products and NIPR/SIPRNet/JWICS.
- Working knowledge of the Military Orders process for staffing at Battalion, Brigade, and Service Component Command levels.
- Ability to work onsite on a standard eight-hour Monday–Friday schedule.
- Ability to undertake routine or extended travel, potentially OCONUS, with minimal notice.
Nice To Haves
- Active TS/SCI clearance is preferred.
- Retired or honorably discharged O-4 or higher Staff Officer with Air Defense Artillery and/or Fires specialization.
- Prior military experience working within USARCENT, USAFCENT, and/or USCENTCOM Command Headquarters.
- Experience with Combined Arms Services and/or Combined and Joint Fires and CUAS operations.
Responsibilities
- Provide planning input for emergent tasks in the USAFCENT CUAS cell, including support to the USAFCENT CUAS Mobile Training Team and coordination on shared or overlapping missions with other in-theater CUAS MTT and Red/Blue operational support capabilities.
- Coordinate closely with USARCENT and USCENTCOM on CUAS support and shared equities.
- Maintain daily accountability and reporting of blue-force CUAS capabilities across the theater, particularly USAFCENT equities.
- Inform stakeholders about emerging operational capabilities and plan prioritized employment of capabilities in the theater of operations.
- Identify current capability gaps and requirements to mitigate emerging threat profiles.
- Synchronize Army Senior Component Command capabilities across the USCENTCOM Area of Responsibility and ensure cross-component integration.
- Represent USAFCENT CUAS equities in Combatant Command and Department-level information exchanges, including B2C2WG forums and General Officer briefings.
- Maintain understanding of USARCENT, USNAVCENT, USSOCCENT, CJTF-OIR, and other Joint CUAS equities to support deconfliction and coordination.
- Communicate CUAS platform readiness to Service Component and Combatant Command leadership and staff.
- Review, analyze, and provide recommendations on CUAS User Acceptance Urgent Material Releases and rapid acquisition capabilities for theater use.
- Provide Higher Headquarters with assessments and recommendations on applying CUAS assets to mitigate emerging threat profiles.
- Support system procurement and placement using knowledge of CUAS system employment, layered defense techniques, and technical limitations.
- Keep recurring briefing materials current with technological and operational updates.
- Coordinate with enterprise action officers and planners to integrate current and emerging capabilities through DOTMLPF-P.
- Update CUAS data repositories and documents and propose refinements to requirements in coordination with Service directorates and the Command team.
- Draft Military Orders, briefings, and supporting documents using MS Office and other software platforms.
- Review publications concerning CUAS operations and recommend concurrence or revisions.
- Recommend optimal sensor and system packages for missions or deployment locations based on intelligence, operational assessments, site surveys, and available-sensor expertise.
- Review CUAS events and provide technical assessments to the CUAS Coordination Team.
- Travel routinely or for extended periods, potentially OCONUS, with minimal notice.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Medical insurance
- Health Savings Account option
- Flexible Spending
- Vision insurance
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Ancillary offerings, including Hospital Indemnity, Accident, Critical Illness, and Pet Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday pay
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
