Operational Planning and Posture Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Position Summary:
As Operational Planning & Posture Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting the Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC), you are the branch's technical/functional authority for deliberate planning support and posture-related planning integration. You define and sustain planning-support rigor-standards, quality gates, and expert advisory-so high-visibility products remain coherent, defensible, and aligned with guidance across the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC). Unlike the Senior role, the SME does not own daily suspense tracking/battle rhythm execution; the SME intervenes where complexity, risk, or ambiguity threatens outcomes. The position is located at Camp Smith, Hawaii.
Clearance Requirement:
- Must be a US Citizen with an active DoD Top Secret clearance, SCI eligible
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Define planning-support standards (templates, quality gates, staffing checklists, traceability expectations, version-control conventions) for branch-wide use
- Advise government leads on complex planning-support approaches (staffing strategy, integration paths, decision points, adjudication methods)
- Perform senior technical review of high-visibility briefs, information papers, and final planning documents to ensure clarity, consistency, and decision-readiness
- Resolve the hardest integration problems (conflicting guidance, misaligned assumptions, incomplete inputs) and recommend defensible tradeoffs and mitigation paths
- Translate policy/guidance into actionable planning inputs and posture initiative implications (as directed by government leads)
- Strengthen Operational Planning Team (OPT)/working group outcomes by shaping narratives, analytical framing, and decision-quality criteria (not meeting administration)
- Coach Senior and junior staff on advanced staff writing, editorial judgment, and staffing discipline through targeted reviews and exemplars
- Assess systemic bottlenecks and recommend repeatable improvements to reduce rework and improve first-pass acceptance (without taking over daily execution)
Required Education, Skills, and Experience:
- Masters degree (or equivalent practical experience) in a relevant field
- Career level and intermediate level military education (Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College (other service equivalents))
- 10+ years deep experience supporting joint/service planning and senior-leader decision support, including production and critical review of staff products
- Demonstrated mastery of JPEC planning forums and staffing dynamics (e.g., OPTs, joint planning groups (JPGs))
- Knowledge and application experience in the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) and Joint Planning Process (JPP)
- Expert capability drafting/editing planning products and enforcing consistency, traceability, and formatting discipline
- Ability to comply with government workplace requirements and obtain/maintain any required access/eligibility
- Deep functional expertise in deliberate planning support and posture planning integration
- Advanced analytic framing and problem-solving under ambiguity
- Expert-level writing/editing and product coherence management
- Influence without authority; credible advisory presence with senior stakeholders
- Standards-setting, coaching, and quality assurance mindset
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Intermediate or top-level operational planning education (e.g., JAWS/SAMS/MAWS/SAASS/Service and Joint War Colleges or Fellowships
- Senior PME (e.g., CGSC/ILE, USMC CSC, Naval/War College equivalents)
- Prior experience with USINDOPACOM, MARFORPAC, HQMC, a combatant command, Service component, or MEF HQ
- Doctoral degree in a relevant field
Physical Demands and Expectations:
- Regular physical activity to include walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting (up to 30 pounds), and standing; occasional prolonged sitting
- Ability to speak, read, hear and write, with or without assistance
- Ability to use phone and computer systems, copier, fax and other office equipment
This position description represents a summary of the major components and requirements of the outlined job. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or required as business needs dictate. Questions regarding this description should immediately be addressed to the department manager or to Human Resources.
LIFE CYCLE ENGINEERING
Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) is a privately held, employee-owned company with an emphasis on "doing the right thing the right way", which applies to the way we treat our customers and employees. We are proud to have been recognized as a "Best Place to Work" in Engineering and in many states and local communities in which we work! Learn more below and at www.lce.com.
Mission
Our mission is to enable people and organizations to achieve their full potential.
As a professional services organization, our mission is focused on our clients' people and organizations. It is our company's cornerstone belief that we will not lead the industry in assisting our clients unless we excel at helping our own people and teams reach their full potential.
Culture
Our corporate culture encourages personal and professional growth because
LCE's success depends on the talent, innovation, professionalism, and commitment of its employees.
LCE is a strengths-based organization focused on turning individual talents into strengths and then turning individual strengths into organizational performance that supports our clients' success.
Benefits
- Affordable Medical/Dental/Vision Plans for employees and their families
- Free Employee Life and Disability Insurance, with supplemental coverage options available
- Health Savings Account and Flexible Savings Account options
- Company matched 401(k) & company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
- Paid Vacation, Holiday, Sick Leave
- Continuing Education and Professional Development programs at all levels
- Flexible Schedules and Relaxed Dress Code
- Employer-sponsored events, social collaboration, and open communication
- Free access to an extensive online training library, including certification prep
- Bonus Program for outstanding contributions, Employee Referral Program, numerous Recognition Opportunities, and more...
*Benefits may vary by business unit and location.
Life Cycle Engineering is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, application for or service in the military or status as a disabled veteran or veteran, because of or on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation, and any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.
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Life Cycle Engineering
sick time, 401(k)
Apr 06, 2026