Exercise Designer

Goldbelt Nighthawk offers sound solutions in software development and both defensive and proactive cybersecurity. Nighthawk offers an integrated, holistic cybersecurity workforce that is enthusiastic, continuously learning, and progressive. The team is fully committed to implementing dynamic cybersecurity solutions that effectively address the needs of customers. Nighthawk's flexibility and expertise across the cybersecurity field provides customized solutions to our customer's unique needs.

Summary:

Plans, develops, and coordinates realistic training exercises to meet operational readiness objectives for military, joint, and interagency forces. Translates training requirements into exercise concepts, scenarios, and injects that replicate real-world conditions and challenges. Integrates live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) elements to provide a comprehensive training environment. Coordinates with planners, intelligence staff, and operational units to ensure scenario authenticity, alignment with mission essential tasks, and achievement of training objectives. Oversees exercise execution, control, and assessment, and produces after-action reports (AARs) to support continuous improvement of training programs.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop exercise concepts, scenarios, and objectives based on commander's guidance, training requirements, and mission essential tasks.
• Conduct requirements analysis to identify training gaps and align exercise design with unit, joint, and interagency readiness needs.
• Create master scenario event lists (MSELs), injects, and storylines that replicate realistic operational environments.
• Integrate Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training elements to enhance realism and participation across geographically dispersed units.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts, planners, and intelligence staff to ensure scenario authenticity and relevance to current threats.
• Identify and script opposing force (OPFOR) actions to challenge participants and stimulate decision-making.
• Develop exercise control (EXCON) plans, timelines, and communications architecture.
• Oversee exercise execution, ensuring scenario flow, event timing, and participant engagement meet objectives.
• Facilitate real-time scenario adjustments during execution to adapt to participant actions or training opportunities.
• Lead after-action review (AAR) process, compiling feedback and performance metrics to assess exercise effectiveness.
• Produce exercise summary reports with recommendations for improving readiness and future training events.
• Ensure compliance with applicable security classification, safety, and operational regulations.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Expert written and oral communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• 8 years' experience in SOF
• 4 years' experience conducting joint or coalition operations or training
• 4 years' experience in exercise and scenario design and management
• 4 years of experience with Service, SOF, or Joint doctrine, planning, operations, training, or exercises
• 4 years' experience researching and integrating current intelligence and operations to develop complex scenarios, studies, or analysis related to SOF core activities.
• Proficiency with common exercise planning tools and simulation systems (e.g., JTIMS, JCATS, VBS, JSAF).
• Travel may be required in support of the PWS requirements. Contractor employee travel shall be required to both military and non-military locations, both in the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside CONUS (OCONUS).
• Current DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 3 years' military experience as a commander, senior enlisted advisor, or primary staff billet in a SOF (USSOCOM/TSOC), Service, Joint Staff, OSD, or 3-4 Star level Service/CCMD HQs

Pay and Benefits
At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.