Cyber Defense Analyst - Weekday 1st Shift

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

Job summary

Leidos is recruiting a Cyber Defense Analyst to join a mission-focused team supporting Navy cybersecurity at ONI HGCC in Suitland, MD. The role involves frontline monitoring of TS/SCI networks, alert analysis, and proactive threat hunting within a 24/7 operation.

Training occurs on the day shift before transitioning to a weekday schedule. The analyst will use SIEMs (Splunk/Elastic), NIDS like FirePower and NGFWs, and host tools (Defender, ePO, Tanium) while coordinating with stakeholders and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in Cybersecurity, IT, or related field; 4+ years of experience or Master’s with 2+ years.
• Active TS/SCI clearance in DISS with required program access.
• Experience monitoring and investigating security alerts from cybersecurity tools.
• Knowledge of SIEMs (Splunk, Elastic) and NIDS/NIPS (FirePower, NGFW).
• Scripting knowledge (Python, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, PowerShell, C/C++, Java).
• Understanding of offensive security tools (Kali, Nmap, Burp Suite, sqlmap, Metasploit).
• Familiarity with ticketing systems, reporting, and intelligence dissemination.

Responsibilities

• Monitor security tools to detect alerts on TS/SCI networks and JWICS-type environments.
• Investigate alerts, perform initial analysis, and escalate to Tier 2 when needed.
• Create and manage incident/event tickets in the ticketing system.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting for emerging threats and anomalies.
• Perform wireless security scans and report findings.
• Correlate alerts across platforms to identify trends and threats.
• Prepare operational and situational awareness briefings for stakeholders.
• Support annual cyber defense exercises and drills.

Skills

Security monitoring

SIEM experience

Threat hunting

Incident management

Scripting languages

Networking knowledge

Reporting & analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity/IT/Info Assurance

Master’s degree (optional)

Tools

Splunk

Elastic

Cisco FirePower

Palo Alto NGFW

Trellix ePO

Microsoft Defender

Tanium

Kali

Nmap

Burp Suite

sqlmap

Metasploit

Job description

Cyber Defense Analyst - Weekday 1st Shift

Location: Suitland, MD

Clearance: Active TS/SCI

Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday

Leidos is hiring a Cyber Defense Analyst 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

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.

Original Posting:

October 5, 2026

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.

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.