Cyber Defense Analyst – Weekday 1st and 3rd Shifts

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

Job summary

Leidos is seeking Cyber Defense Analysts for a 24/7 on-site role at the ONI Hopper Global Communications Center in Suitland, MD. The role covers first and third weekday shifts with a training period in day shift.

You will monitor, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity alerts across TS/SCI networks and support threat hunting and incident handling. Ideal candidates have a strong CND background, experience with SIEMs, NIDPS, and host-based tools, plus scripting knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Information Assurance, or a related area with 4+ years of experience or Master’s with 2+ years of experience.
• Active TS/SCI clearance in DISS and required program access.
• Concentrated experience in the Computer Network Defense (CND) discipline.
• Experience monitoring and investigating alerts from cybersecurity tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform first line monitoring of security tools and analysis of alerts for TS/SCI networks (JWICS, ATLAS).
• Monitor cybersecurity tools for alerts, anomalies, and indicators of compromise.
• Investigate and perform initial technical analysis of cybersecurity alerts, escalate to Tier 2 as needed.
• Create, update, and manage incident tickets in the ticketing system.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting to identify malicious activity and emerging threats.
• Perform wireless security scans and document findings.
• Correlate alerts across platforms to identify patterns and threats.
• Deliver operational and situational awareness briefings.
• Support annual cyber defense exercises.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, IT, Information Assurance, or related area

Master’s degree with 2+ years experience

Tools

Splunk

Elastic

Cisco FirePower

Palo Alto NGFW

Trellix ePO

Microsoft Defender

Tanium

Python

PowerShell

C, C++, Java

JavaScript

Kali

Nmap

Burp Suite

sqlmap

Metasploit

Job description

Description

Cyber Defense Analyst – Weekday 1st and 3rd Shifts

Location: Suitland, MD
Clearance: Active TS/SCI
Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday

Leidos is hiring two Cyber Defense Analysts to join a mission focused team supporting the Navy's cybersecurity environment at the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) Hopper Global Communications Center (HGCC) in Suitland, MD.

We have one opening for each of the following Monday through Friday shifts:

Weekdays 1st Shift
Monday through Friday: 0730 to 1530

Weekdays 3rd Shift
Monday through Friday: 2330 to 0730

Work Location and Hours

These are full-time, onsite positions supporting a 24 hour cybersecurity operation.

Training Schedule: For up to the first two months of employment, all selected candidates will be required to complete training during the day shift, Monday through Friday. Candidates must be available to work the day shift throughout the initial training period, regardless of their regular shift schedule.

Regular Work Schedule: Upon completion of training, each Cyber Defense Analyst will transition to the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift schedule for which they were hired. Occasional additional or alternate shift coverage may be required to support team coverage, employee leave, or other program and staffing needs.

In this role, you will serve on the front line of cyber defense, helping protect critical TS/SCI networks by monitoring and investigating cybersecurity alerts, identifying potential threats, and supporting proactive threat hunting activities. You will apply your experience in the Computer Network Defense (CND) discipline and knowledge of IT systems and networks to analyze security events, manage incident tickets, support intelligence gathering and analysis, and communicate findings to key stakeholders.

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 or Master’s degree with 2+ years of experience. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active TS/SCI clearance in DISS and required program access.
• Concentrated experience in the Computer Network Defense (CND) discipline, regardless of degree.
• 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.

NITESONI

DABAOPP1

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

Original Posting:

October 5, 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 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.

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave
• 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.