Computer Network Defense Analyst

Leidos; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos, based in Reston, Virginia, is seeking a Cyber Network Defense Analyst to join the CESO effort in Arlington. This on-site role requires an active TS/SCI clearance to protect networked systems during a secure cloud migration and ongoing 24x7 operations.

You will monitor alerts, document analyses, coordinate with IT teams, and help shape CESO processes while maintaining strong customer relationships and ensuring rapid incident response.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of related experience; more experience may substitute for degree.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required to begin work.
• DoDD 8140 IAT Level II (or Level III) certification (e.g., Security+ CE).
• Strong computing systems knowledge across Windows, Linux, cloud and networking.
• Experience implementing security settings per vendor and DISA best practices.
• CI Polygraph may be required in the future.

Responsibilities

• Perform network incident detection and response to identify threats to CESO.
• Monitor security tools, investigate alerts, and propose mitigation actions.
• Document events and analysis clearly in the ticketing system for action.
• Maintain regular customer interaction and address issues with minimal supervision.
• Influence CESO processes to improve team performance and procedures.
• Ensure timely system checks and complete, accurate documentation.
• Assist senior analysts with forecasting and modeling current threats.
• Build rapport with the customer and act as a trusted network defense analyst.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, storage, database and application teams to align monitoring with cloud migrations.

Skills

Windows

Red Hat

Cloud (AWS/Azure)

Networking

IDS/IPS

Firewalls

Security+ CE

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Splunk

Elastic

Job description

Description

We are currently seeking a Cyber Network Defense Analyst to join the Compartmented Enterprise Services Office (CESO) effort. This program is establishing a modern secure web service (SWS) operation as part of a state‑of‑the‑art, highly automated platform capable of supporting a rapidly expanding customer population. Our team supports CESO's mission to protect networked systems and services from cyber threats as CESO migrates to a high security cloud environment, operating as a 24x7, mission‑critical function providing network defense, monitoring, and incident response services. We are looking for a self‑starter capable of independently performing daily tasks while also working well within a team that requires significant coordination and communication.

This position is based in Arlington, VA and is 100% on-site.
Requires a TS/SCI US Government Security Clearance to start.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform computer network incident detection and response activities to detect, correlate, identify, and characterize anomalous activity indicative of threats to the CESO enterprise.
• Monitor security tools and applications for possible malicious activity, investigate associated alerts or indicators, and develop recommendations for a course of action, including mitigation strategies as required.
• Document each event and its associated analysis in a ticketing system with clear, accurate technical writing so it can be reviewed and acted on appropriately.
• Maintain regular face‑to‑face interaction with the customer; handle issues when they are raised by the customer with little or no supervision.
• Positively influence team performance by improving CESO processes and procedures.
• Ensure system checks are performed in a timely manner and that documentation is complete and accurate.
• Assist senior analysts and/or managers with forecasting and modeling current threats.
• Develop a strong rapport with the customer and serve as a trustworthy network defense analyst.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, storage, database, and application teams to align network defense monitoring with CESO's operational requirements as the program transitions to its secure cloud environment.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of related experience; additional experience, education, or training may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance required for this position.
• DoDD 8140 IAT Level II (or Level III) certification (e.g., Security+ CE).
• Strong computing systems knowledge with Windows, Red Hat, Cloud (AWS, Azure), and particularly networking, including communication protocols and familiarity with common security elements such as IDS/IPS systems and firewalls.
• Experience with implementing application/hardware security settings using vendor and DISA best business practices.
• Candidate may be asked to obtain a CI Polygraph in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior CND experience, ideally within a large enterprise or DoD/IC program environment.
• Experience monitoring intrusion detection and computer network defense appliances, applications, and analyzing associated alerts.
• Experience documenting analysis and providing response recommendations in a ticketing/case management system.
• Experience reviewing system logs manually and using automatic SIEMs tools (e.g., SPLUNK, Elastic) and performing network log analysis.
• Prior experience with DISA and DISA's support to mission partners.
• An Understanding of disaster recovery and business continuity concepts as they apply to secure cloud migrations.

Pay Range

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.