Joint Training and Exercise Planner

By Light Professional IT Services LLC readies warfighters and federal agencies with technology and systems engineered to connect, protect, and prepare individuals and teams for whatever comes next. Headquartered in McLean, VA, By Light supports defense, civilian, and commercial IT customers worldwide.

We are seeking an experienced and mission-focused Joint Training and Exercise Planner to support the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) J-7 Directorate. This key role is responsible for designing and managing training and exercise programs that directly enhance operational readiness across the Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN). The planner will serve as a vital integrator across DISA's J-3 (Operations) and J-5 (Plans and Policy) teams, ensuring that training is aligned with current mission demands, strategic objectives, and validated Mission Essential Tasks (METs).

Training Integration & Readiness Planning

Develop and maintain training programs aligned with DISA's METs using the Joint Training System (JTS).

• Ensure all training activities are traceable to validated operational requirements and support mission readiness.

• Collaborate across directorates to embed operational priorities and lessons learned into structured training objectives and outcomes.

• Support DISA's readiness reporting through training data integration and exercise participation metrics.

Exercise Design & Execution

• Plan and execute exercises across the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), including scenario development, exercise control, and event assessment.

• Create detailed Master Scenario Event Lists (MSELs) that reflect realistic and relevant operational conditions, including cyber defense, contingency response, and network operations.

• Lead exercise control teams (White Cell) and coordinate participation across multiple mission partners and stakeholders.

• Provide subject matter expertise on integrating cyber operations, interagency coordination, and network assurance into full-spectrum training events.

Post-Exercise Assessment & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct post-exercise reviews, after-action reports, and analysis to inform future training and operational improvements.

• Translate exercise outcomes and strategic guidance into measurable training enhancements and policy recommendations.

• Institutionalize a culture of continuous improvement and readiness across DISA's operational enterprise.

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in joint training, military exercise planning, or operational readiness programs.

• Expertise in the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), including MSEL development and exercise control.

• Experience integrating training objectives with real-world operational requirements and strategic goals.

• Proficiency in using the Joint Training System (JTS) and understanding of Mission Essential Task (MET) development and validation.

• Strong understanding of cyber operations, network defense, and DODIN operations.

• Currently holds a DoD 8570 certification at IAT or IAM Level I.

• Experience supporting Combatant Commands (CCMDs), USCYBERCOM, or JFHQ-DODIN in a training or exercise capacity.

• Familiarity with Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS) and training assessment tools.

• Background in scenario design, White Cell operations, and interagency coordination.

• PMP, Exercise Planner (JEP), or related certifications in training and exercise planning.

This position requires a TS/SCI clearance at the time of application.

Salary Minimum:150,000.00

Salary Maximum:$165,000.00

The annual base salary provided is a guideline for this position and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. When extending an offer, By Light also considers other variables such as (but not limited to) work experience, education, training, skill set, internal peer equity, clearance level, and market conditions. In addition, By Light provides an extensive selection of benefits and offerings to our employees.