Positio Title: Software and Mission Planning Support Specialist (SMPS)

Location: Naval Air Station, North Island

About the Organization Date:
Hui Huliau is a nonprofit Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) and community service organization whose business activities principally benefit Native Hawaiians. As an NHO we operate under U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations and own small businesses that participate in the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program for minority owned companies. Our small businesses provide a variety of contracted services to the U. S. Military, U. S. Civilian agencies, and commercial customers at locations worldwide.

Profits from Hui Huliau's for-profit subsidiaries help sustain important education, social, economic, and cultural preservation programs that serve Native Hawaiians in the Waianae community. The Waianae Coast on the western side of the island of Oahu has the highest per capita percentage of Native Hawaiians in the world and the highest poverty and unemployment rate in the State of Hawaii.

Our mission to strengthen our communities, make a positive impact on the lives we touch, and provide a brighter future for the Native Hawaiian people through education, economic opportunities, and the preservation of the Hawaiian language and culture. Hui Huliau employees help us achieve this mission by providing outstanding service to our customers.
Shift:

First

Description:

Pono Aina Management LLC is currently seeking a Software and Mission Planning Support Specialist to join their team. This critical embedded technical role provides high-level subject matter expertise in software acquisition, development, certification, sustainment, and mission planning support for the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets. Located at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake — the U.S. Navy’s premier research, development, test & evaluation center — the position serves as the primary liaison between the Australian Liaison Office, NAVAIR software stakeholders, Boeing, and other key organizations. The successful candidate will ensure that all software and Mission Planning Environment (MPE) capabilities meet strict Australian certification standards while supporting operational readiness and future capability growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert SME advice and support across the full software lifecycle — acquisition, development, testing, certification, and in-service sustainment
• Conduct comprehensive Software / Mission Planning Environment (MPE) Suitability Assessments and deliver authoritative certification recommendations to RAAF
• Manage, review, and support High Order Software Configuration Sets (SCS), software releases, and associated documentation
• Liaise directly with key USN software stakeholders, PMA-265, Boeing, and other CONUS organizations
• Review and transmit technical and programmatic correspondence while providing timely, high-quality advice to Australian stakeholders
• Support technical governance functions in accordance with approved plans and processes
• Develop detailed engineering reports, program letters, briefing materials, and decision support documentation
• Track and coordinate all software-related Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), Technical Directives (TDs), TIs, and configuration updates
• Advise RAAF on software impacts to capability, schedule, cost, risk, and operational readiness
• Support integration of new capabilities into the Mission Planning Environment and associated training systems

Mandatory Requirements:

• U.S. or Australian Citizenship
• Current or ability to obtain a U.S. SECRET clearance (or Australian AGSVA equivalent)
• Must be physically located at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California
• Undergraduate degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Specialized experience in aerospace software systems, mission planning environments, or aviation software development
• Demonstrated experience with ADF software certification planning and conduct of suitability assessments

Important Requirements:

• Software-related postgraduate degree (highly preferred)
• Deep knowledge of the USN software acquisition cycle, Cyberworthiness, and airworthiness certification processes
• Practical experience applying agile methodology to aviation or mission planning software development
• Demonstrated understanding of Electronic Warfare systems employed on tactical military aircraft
• Strong analytical, technical writing, and briefing skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Project, Teams, Visio)

Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Requires the ability to walk short distances.
• Exerting up to 15 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

Hui Huliau and its subsidiaries are participants of E-Verify.

Hui Huliau and its subsidiaries are drug free workplaces.

Full Time/Part Time:

Full-Time

Position Type:

Software and Mission Planning Support Specialist (SMPS)

Position Requirements: Please see the above job description

EOE Statement:

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary:

$145,000-$175,000

Direct Contract:

Division: Pono Aina Management LLC

Close Date:

Number of Openings:

1

Number Filled:

0

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

Non-Exempt

Hiring Manager:

Judge Ashmore

Open_Date:

4/16/2026