1

Opfor Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Provide subject matter expertise during planning, execution, and assessment events covering a broad range of planning topics (e.g., exercise control, opposing force (OPFOR), manpower, etc.). * Assist ...

Program Analyst Principal

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Responsibilities Lead senior technical, modeling & simulation (M&S), scenario, intelligence, and opposition force (OPFOR) experts to plan and execute maritime events within major combatant command ...

Showing results 21-34

Opfor information

See Virginia salary details

$20

$30

$57

How much do opfor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for opfor in Virginia is $30.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.37 and $37.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Opfor do?

As Opfor, your primary responsibility is to simulate enemy tactics and behaviors during military training exercises, which may include conducting mock attacks, ambushes, and reconnaissance missions. You will work closely with training instructors and other Opfor team members to create realistic scenarios that challenge trainees. Daily duties often involve maintaining equipment, participating in debriefings, and ensuring all safety protocols are strictly followed. The role requires flexibility, as exercises may take place in varying environments and hours to best mirror real-world conditions, ultimately supporting effective and immersive training for military personnel.

What is an Opfor?

An Opfor (Opposing Force) job involves serving as a simulated enemy force during military or law enforcement training exercises. The role helps create realistic combat or tactical scenarios to improve the readiness of personnel. Opfor personnel may use tactics, equipment, and strategies mimicking potential adversaries. These roles exist in military units, private defense contractors, and law enforcement agencies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Opfor?

To thrive as an Opfor (Opposing Forces role-player), you need a solid understanding of military tactics, strong situational awareness, and physical fitness, often supported by prior military experience or specialized training. Familiarity with simulation equipment, military communication systems, and safety protocols is typically required. Adaptability, teamwork, and effective communication are important soft skills, as the role involves rapidly changing scenarios and close collaboration with training units. These skills are vital to ensure realistic training environments, maintain safety standards, and maximize the effectiveness of military exercises.

What are popular job titles related to Opfor jobs in Virginia?

For Opfor jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Opfor jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Opfor job openings:

Infographic showing various Opfor job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $64,443 per year, or $31 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 224 rated it services


Job description


SAIC has a career opportunity for an Exercise Event Lead at Navy Warfare Development Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
Job Description. The individual in this position supports Navy Warfare Development Center in designing and delivering operational level of warfare exercises and fleet maritime operations center (MOC) certification and training support to Navy component commanders and numbered fleet commanders.
This is a full-time, in-office position; remote work and hybrid work are not available for this position.
This position requires worldwide travel to fleet headquarters and other locations to support exercise planning and execution; travel up to 20%.
Responsibilities
Lead senior technical, modeling & simulation (M&S), scenario, intelligence, and opposition force (OPFOR) experts to plan and execute maritime events within major combatant command (CCMD)-level exercises.
Serve as Navy Chief Controller (NCC), M&S Ops lead, or forward MOC Training and Exercise Team (MOC TET) liaison during operational testing, simulation events, and exercise execution.
Coordinate exercise planning with Navy and Joint planners, including CCMD staffs, Joint exercise control (EXCON) coordination cells, and Joint Staff J7 (JS J7).
Coordinate with MOC TET government and contractor staff to develop tasks, briefs, planning products, and point papers enabling MOC training objectives.
Oversee planning of the integrated exercise technical environment, including Navy Training Baseline (NTB) elements, distributed-network simulation, C4I systems, and collaboration capabilities.
Lead exercise support coordination to develop maritime storylines, master scenario event list (MSEL) scripting, and scenario products throughout the joint event lifecycle (JELC).
Develop and manage exercise documents including POA&Ms, Exercise Control Group (ECG) plans, manning documents, exercise directives, and game books.
Provide recommendations for and development of synthetic augmentation to live training exercises, including synthetic war-gaming for operational level events.
Collect inputs, facilitate after-action discussions, and deliver lessons learned to leadership for incorporation into future exercises.
Provide expertise on applicable strategic- and operational-level joint, coalition, and service doctrine, maintaining current knowledge of joint capabilities.
Qualifications
Required
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Ten (10) years of experience with naval operations, with at least five (5) or more years of experience in staff-level Naval or Joint operations. 4 years additional experience accepted in lieu of degree.
  • Ten (10) years of M&S experience with operational-level exercises/Fleet Synthetic Training or service equivalent M&S experience, to include MSEL scripting.
  • Demonstrated experience planning and executing exercises across the full Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC)
  • Experience developing and managing exercise POA&Ms, MSELs, ECG plans, and scenario products
  • Proficiency with Government exercise management systems including Joint Training System (JTS), Joint Training Tool (JTT), and other Navy/Joint MSEL inject management tools
  • Active (TS/SCI) Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information

Desired
  • Experience interfacing with CCMDs, numbered fleet staffs, and MOC training audiences
  • Experience with Navy Training Baseline (NTB) simulation suite
  • Familiarity with M&S systems and C4I architecture used in Navy synthetic training environments
  • Experience coordinating with JS J7, CCMD, and Navy tactical training commands on exercise development and execution

About Us
SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

What SAIC employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom