Cyber Defense Analyst

Leidos LLC; Suitland (MD); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Cyber Defense Analyst to join a mission-focused team supporting the Navy's cybersecurity environment in Suitland, MD. The role involves first-line monitoring of security tools, incident analysis, and proactive threat hunting for TS/SCI networks such as JWICS and ATLAS.

Required qualifications include a 4+ year track record in CND, active TS/SCI clearance, proficiency with Splunk/Elastic, and experience with NIDPS and host-based tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Information Assurance, or related field; 4+ years of experience.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Experience monitoring and investigating alerts from cybersecurity tools.
• Experience with SIEM systems such as Splunk and Elastic.
• Experience with NIDPS and host-based tools (e.g., FirePower, Palo Alto, ePO, Defender, Tanium).
• Knowledge of scripting/coding languages (Python, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, PowerShell, C, C++, Java).
• Knowledge of penetration testing tools and red team techniques (Kali, Burp Suite, Metasploit).

Responsibilities

• Perform first-line monitoring of security tools and analyze alerts for TS/SCI networks.
• Monitor cybersecurity tools for alerts, anomalies, and indicators of compromise.
• Investigate and perform initial analysis of cybersecurity alerts and escalate as needed.
• Create and manage incident tickets in the ticketing system.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting and document findings.
• Conduct wireless security scans and report findings.
• Correlate alerts across platforms to identify patterns and threats.
• Prepare and deliver operational and situational awareness briefings.
• Support annual cyber defense exercises.

Skills

Splunk

Elastic

NIDPS

Python

Perl

Ruby

JavaScript

PowerShell

C

C++

Java

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity/IT/Info Assurance

Tools

Splunk

Elastic

Cisco FirePower

Palo Alto NGFW

Trellix ePO

Microsoft Defender

Tanium

Nmap

Burp Suite

Kali

SamuraiWTF

Metasploit

Job description

Cyber Defense Analyst Location: Suitland, MD Clearance: Active TS/SCI Leidos is seeking a Cyber Defense Analyst to join a mission focused team supporting the Navy's cybersecurity environment in Suitland, MD.

At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

NITESONI DABAOPP1 If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform first line monitoring of security tools and conduct initial analysis of alerts for TS/SCI networks, including JWICS, ATLAS, and other networks for which HGCC is responsible.
• Monitor organizational cybersecurity tools for alerts, anomalies, and indicators of compromise.
• Investigate and perform initial technical analysis of cybersecurity alerts and events, escalating potential incidents to Tier 2 as appropriate.
• Create, update, and manage incident and event tickets within the approved ticketing system.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting activities to identify potential malicious activity and emerging threats.
• Perform wireless security scans of facilities and document and report findings.
• Correlate alerts and security events across multiple platforms to identify patterns, trends, and potential threats.
• Prepare and deliver operational and situational awareness briefings.
• Support annual cyber defense exercises.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Information Assurance, or a related area of study desired, with 4+ years of experience.
• Additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Concentrated experience in the CND discipline, regardless of degree.
• Professional experience monitoring and investigating alerts from cybersecurity tools.
• Experience with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems such as Splunk and Elastic.
• Experience with Network Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (NIDPS), such as Cisco FirePower and Palo Alto NGFW, as well as host based tools such as Trellix ePO, Microsoft Defender, and Tanium.
• Knowledge of scripting and coding languages such as Python, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, PowerShell, C, C++, and Java.
• Knowledge of penetration testing and red team tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as tools such as Kali, SamuraiWTF, Nmap, Burp Suite, sqlmap, and Metasploit.
• Knowledge of ticketing systems, report writing, and intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination techniques specific to cybersecurity.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem solving skills.

Required Certifications

• Must possess one of the following active certifications: CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Cloud+, CEH, FITSP-O, GIAC GMON, GIAC GRID, GIAC GCIA, GIAC GCIH, GIAC GICSP, GIAC GCED, GIAC GDSA, GIAC GSEC, CFR, or Cisco CyberOps.

Original Posting: October 1, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range: Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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.

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. 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 here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

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.