FUTURES ANALYST/EDITOR

Job Description

Ignite is an ISO 9001:2015 and CMMI Services Level 3 certified, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), headquartered in Huntsville, AL. By design, Ignite is a provider of professional services to customers in the education, federal, and commercial industries and, in every action, seeks to be the preeminent provider in this space. Ignite upholds our values of competency, collaboration, innovation, reliability, and results through everything we do.

Ignite is currently seeking a driven Futures Analyst and Editor to join our team! In this role, you will support the Space Warfighting and Analysis Center and Concepts and Technology Delta, working to develop the future operating environment (FOE) for the United States Space Force. You will be working with a team of cross-disciplinary SMEs spanning engineering, intel, law, economics, and international relations. This position is designed for a rising leader in strategic analysis and professional writing who can produce and refine high-impact papers that directly inform decisions made by senior Space Force leadership

Job Requirements

The FOE Futures writer and analyst will develop and complete original analytic papers on the Space Future Operating Environment and serve as an editor and ensure quality control for team products. This role demands expertise in analytic tradecraft, rigorous methodology, and persuasive national security writing. Products must be decision-oriented, operationally relevant, and defensible under scrutiny at the Space Force, Joint Force, and Intelligence Community levels. This position will be located in Huntsville, AL, Colorado Springs, CO, or in the National Capital Region. Huntsville, AL, is the preferred location.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

Strategic Writing & Editorial Leadership

• Author original analytic papers on future operating environment topics, emerging technologies, strategic competition, and operational implications.
• Edit and refine papers produced by team members to ensure clarity, rigor, logic, and decision relevance.
• Translate complex technical, statistical, and operational findings into clear, concise, persuasive narratives.
• Query authors to constructively resolve ambiguity, strengthen arguments, and eliminate unsupported assertions.
• Prepare papers suitable for publication, formal briefing, and integration into the Future Operating Environment.
  
  

Analytic Methodology & Data Integration

• Research and apply advanced analytical techniques to complex problems in the space domain.
• Provide database consultation, graphical data visualization, and recommendations for quantitative data selection and integration.
• Develop analytic strategies to meet customer requirements and resolve knowledge gaps.
  
  

Collaboration & Liaison

• Interact with analysts, mission partners, and FOE stakeholders to enhance analytic products and integration.
• Facilitate analytic discussions, red team events, or scenario-based brainstorming as required.
  
  

Required Qualifications

Job Requirements and Qualifications:

Strategic Writing & Editorial Expertise

• Expertise in drafting, rewriting, and editing complex technical and strategic manuscripts into publication-ready copy.
• Strong proficiency in English grammar, syntax, style, and editorial standards.
• Ability to ensure continuity, lucidity, and precision in complex subject matter.
• Strong editorial judgment and ability to query authors for clarity and rigor.
• Strong grasp of at least one or more areas of expertise, such as U.S. Joint Doctrine, Technological Transformation, Threat Assessment, Red Teaming, Economic and Trade Analysis, Supply Chain analysis, or core scientific understanding of a related field such as astrophysics, optics, complexity, or systems theory.
  
  

Analytic & Methodological Expertise

• Ability to identify, retrieve, manipulate, and exploit multiple datasets.
• Expertise in applying analytic tools to build models, visualize data, and perform systems or comparative analysis.
• Ability to break down and analyze complex, ambiguous problems.
  
  

Operational & Leadership Competencies

• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to lead discussions using influence rather than positional authority.
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• PACE and CDASA certification, or similar certifications.
• Experience with formal Futures Analysis methodologies such as Manoa Futures, foresight, scenario planning, horizon scanning, or backcasting.
• Experience with military operations in the space domain.
• Experience evaluating emerging technologies for use in military force design acquisition.
• Experience integrating advanced analytics and AI/ML outputs into reports and papers.
• Experience leading Red Teams or Analysis of Alternatives.
• Research experience in international affairs and/or military history.
• Experience with statistical analysis and visualization tools.
• Experience working across national-level defense organizations (USSF, Military Services, CCMDs, JCS).
• Knowledge of Chinese military, culture and language.
• Prior experience in commercial news or editorial environments.
  
  

What Success Looks Like

Within The First Year, The Employee Will

• Produce multiple publishable, decision-grade Future Operating Environment papers.
• Elevate the clarity and rigor of all team products.
• Become a trusted editor for senior-facing deliverables.
• Demonstrate the ability to anticipate senior leader questions and structure papers accordingly.
• Integrate quantitative and qualitative analysis seamlessly into narrative strategy products.
  
  

Security Clearance Requirements

Must have an active Secret Security Clearance

Education Requirements

• Master’s Degree
  
  

Other Requirements

• A minimum of two writing samples will be required for consideration for this position.