Wartime Readiness and Exercise Planning SME

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Full Time Regular Washington, DC, US

3 days ago Requisition

Position Overview

The Wartime Readiness and Exercise Planning SME serves as the senior technical authority and advisor at the PAE Maritime level for the design, coordination, execution, and evaluation of wartime readiness, contingency, and exercise planning activities. This role provides subject matter expertise (SME) in global operations planning and exercise management, ensuring force generation, activation, mobilization, and deployment frameworks align with Combatant Command (CCMD) requirements and Naval doctrine.

The SME leads and supports Operational Planning Teams (OPTs) in accordance with the Naval Planning Process to maintain peak wartime readiness across maritime forces.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary SME for wartime readiness and exercise planning at the PAE Maritime level, advising leadership on force generation, activation, mobilization, and deployment operations.
• Design, develop, coordinate, and evaluate complex wartime contingency plans, deployment readiness exercises, and joint/combined training scenarios.
• Lead and facilitate Operational Planning Teams (OPTs), ensuring effectiveness and disciplined execution in accordance with the Naval Planning Process (NPP).
• Align requirements with force-sourcing solutions; manage Unit Type Code (UTC) posturing, deployment data, and readiness reporting.
• Oversee the creation, review, and revision of wartime readiness plans.
• Ensure all force generation and exercise frameworks adhere to Department of War (DoW), Joint, and Service-specific (Navy/Marine Corps) doctrine, policies, and directives.
• Conduct after-action reviews, lessons learned analysis, and continuous process improvement for exercises and readiness events.
• Coordinate with joint, interagency, and coalition partners, as well as internal PAE Maritime stakeholders, to synchronize planning efforts.
• Provide expert recommendations on readiness posture, exercise design, and operational risk to senior leadership.
• Support the development of metrics, briefings, and decision support products related to wartime readiness and exercise outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• 10-15 years of progressive experience in global operations planning and exercise management within a military, joint, or DoW contractor environment.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in wartime readiness, contingency planning, force generation, and exercise design/execution.
• Strong understanding and practical application of Operational Planning Team (OPT) frameworks, including their structure, effectiveness measures, and execution.
• In-depth knowledge of the Naval Planning Process and its application to maritime operations.
• Experience operating at or supporting a major command, numbered fleet, or equivalent maritime operational level.
• Proven ability to develop and refine operations, mobility, contingency, and wartime readiness plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief senior military and civilian leaders.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (National Security, Military Studies, Operations Research, or equivalent);
  Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional military education focused on operational warfare and joint campaign planning, design, coordination, and execution is highly desired.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to maintain a Secret clearance, required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior military experience in Navy, Marine Corps, or joint operational planning billets (e.g., N3/N5, OPT lead, exercise planner).
• Experience with Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), Joint Training System, or equivalent exercise programs.
• Familiarity with Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX), Global Force Management (GFM), Global Maritime Response Plan (GMRP), and related DoW systems.
• Experience supporting Combatant Commands or Fleet-level maritime headquarters.

This position requires a highly motivated professional capable of operating independently in a dynamic, high-tempo environment while delivering precise, doctrine-compliant planning products that enhance PAE Maritime wartime readiness.