Air Operations Planner

This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support requireU.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.

Who we are:

Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S. military and government agencies with cutting-edge AI/ML and data solutions. We are a leader in autonomous data fusion and Agentic AI, with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. With headquarters in McLean, VA, our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

We’re looking for an experienced Air Operations and Exercise Planner  to support our growing efforts and join our passionate team of high-impact problem solvers. This is a unique opportunity to help build and shape a game-changing organization where we put our customers and people first.

About the role:

Raft is providing direct support to the 613th Air Operations Center (AOC) Strategy Division. This position is responsible for leading operational planning and exercise support associated with OPLAN rehearsals and exercises as the lead operational planner for the Theater Joint Forces Air Component Commander (T/JFACC). Your involvement in this role will encompass hands-on collaboration with a team of accomplished individuals, collectively striving towards excellence.

• Provide detailed Mission Analysis reflecting customer requirements throughout the Joint Operation Planning Process for OPLAN rehearsals and exercises.  
• Analyze foreign military air, space and cyberspace operations to assess and document threats relevant to operational planning, infrastructure, digital equipment and intellectual technologies in support of exercise and rehearsal scenarios.
• Ensure exercise and rehearsal plan annexes are appropriately written and coordinated, recognized and resourced.  
• Support Strategy (STRAT)- Targeting Effects (TET)- Master Air Attack Plan (MAAP) processes adapted for joint planning in support of Combatant Command Pacing Operations Plan (OPLAN) rehearsals and exercises.  
• Finalize, schedule and support approval/signature briefings to the Theater Joint Air Component Commander for operational exercise plans, rehearsal products, and associated Air Operations Directives (AODs).  
• Plan, schedule and support STRAT, TET, and MAAP processes and conferences focused on exercises and rehearsals and develop draft operational exercise plans and AODs.  
• Serve as the Theater Joint Forces Air Component Commander (T/JFACC) primary support for the lead operational planner during creation of operational plans and orders for OPLAN rehearsals and exercises.  
• Use the Joint Operations Planning Process for Air (JOPPA) to develop long-range and near-term blue force plans and maintain exercise and rehearsal planning products aligned with the Joint Air Operations Plan (JAOP). 
• Coordinate with the air staff (AFFOR) and other service, functional, and coalition planners on long-range and near-term blue force air component plans for exercises and OPLAN rehearsals.  
• Ensure strategic artifacts, processes, and products as directed by the SRD Chief are produced and accessible for exercises and rehearsals, even in degraded or denied environments.

What we are looking for: 

• We desire a rated experienced military air operations planner (pilot, weapons officer, or flight officer) or other service participation in command, service, Joint or Combatant Command (CCMD) staffs, processes or operations with emphasis on exercise and rehearsal planning.  
• At least 5 years of experience working in an Air Force Air Operations Center (AOC).  
• At least 5 years of experience with Joint Operations Planning Process Air (JOPPA), Adaptive Planning and Execution System (APEX) or Joint operations and crisis planning and deliberate planning processes, preferably applied to exercises, rehearsals, or blue force planning.  
• In-depth knowledge of operational planning, and service and joint doctrine.
• Experience with Joint Operational Planning Toolkit (JOPT), C2IE systems, Maven Smart System, and collaborative SharePoint environments.
• Experience with Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLM) in support of operational planning.
• At least 3 years of experience with using commonly used business products to include, but not limited to Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  
• Bachelor's degree.

Clearance Requirements: 

• Active Top Secret security clearance required with SCI eligibility

Work Type:

• Onsite at Hickam AFB, HI
• May require up to 25% travel
  • Must be eligible to travel CONUS/OCONUS requiring a US Passport

Salary Range:$165,000.00 - $190,000.00

• The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilities

What we will offer you:

• Highly competitive salary
• Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage + 401(k)
• Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays
• Education & training benefits
• Annual budget for your tech/gadgets needs
• Remote, hybrid, and flexible work options
• Team off-site in fun places!
• Generous Referral Bonuses
• And More!

Our Vision Statement:  

We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission. 

Our Customer Obsession:  

We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.

How do we get there?  

Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm. 

Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration. 

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.