Cyberspace Operations Planner, Senior

Leidos; Odenton (MD); On-site; USD 116,350 - 210,325; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness programs

Paid Leave

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Cyberspace Operational Planner to engage in planning activities supporting USCYBERCOM operations. Candidates must have an Active Top Secret clearance and extensive experience in cyber planning.

The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $116,350.00 to $210,325.00, along with comprehensive benefits. If you thrive in a challenging environment and want to make an impact, apply now!

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and Polygraph required.
• BA/BS degree or higher within STEM field, or ability to complete degree within one year of hire.
• 12 years or greater recent work experience as CO Planner, with waivers possible.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Joint Operational Planning Groups and Teams.
• Develop and review specific CO plans and guidance.
• Analyze and assess internal and external partner CO capabilities.

Skills

Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and Polygraph

12 years or greater work experience as CO Planner

Familiarity with military operations

Knowledge of computer networking fundamentals

Demonstrated proficiency in analysis and documentation

Education

BA/BS degree or higher in STEM field

Tools

Microsoft Power BI

Job description

Overview

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading! The Intelligence Sector combines technology-enabled services and mission software capabilities in the areas of cyber, logistics, security operations, and decision analytics to support our defense and intel customers’ mission to defend against evolving threats around the world. The Intelligence Sector seeks highly qualified and trained Cyberspace Operational Planners to support Department of Defense Joint Planning processes that underpin United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) operations. Individuals will engage in Cyberspace Operational Planning activities supporting Leidos on-site contract support to USCYBERCOM J3 (Operations), Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), and Joint Task Force-Ares (JTF-ARES). This opportunity is in anticipation of a potential future contract award.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide subject matter expertise in Joint plans development and staffing processes within collaborative environment to enable range of Cyberspace Operations (CO) according to USCYBERCOM planning guidance and applicable Joint publications.
• Lead targeting selection, validation, synchronization, and enable integration during the execution of activities within Cyber Warfare domain.
• Draft and staff foundational planning documents such as Operational Plans (OPLANS), Operational Orders (OPORDs), and Fragmentary Orders (FRAGOs).
• Lead and support Joint Operational Planning Groups and Teams (OPG/OPT), and develop and integrate Cyberspace capabilities into plans.
• Develop concepts of support, courses of action, integrate command and external capabilities, coordinate and document comprehensive plans.
• Engage in, and provide situational awareness to, range of projects, Crisis Action Teams, and current operations activities supporting OPTs.
• Develop and review specific CO plans and guidance for integration into broader planning activities and to ensure that execution and resource allocation decisions align with organization objectives.
• Demonstrate knowledge of cyber threats and attack methods and techniques emanating from state and non-state adversaries and tiered vulnerabilities within Blue Space as focus of threats.
• Develop and execute comprehensive programs for assessing CO and validating operational performance characteristics.
• Review, approve, prioritize, and submit operational requirements for research, development, and/or acquisition of cyber capabilities.
• Develop and maintain deliberate and/or CO crisis plans
• Analyze and assess internal and external partner CO capabilities and tools.
• Transition operational planning efforts to current operations
• Navigate organizational structure as it pertains to full spectrum CO, including the functions, responsibilities, and interrelationships among distinct internal elements.
• Integrate and synchronize intelligence planning activities with operational planning timelines.
• Conduct long-range, strategic planning efforts with internal and external partners in cyber activities.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and guidance relevant to organization cyber objectives.
• Communicate complex information, concepts, or ideas in a confident and well-organized manner through verbal, written, and/or visual means.

What Leidos Needs From You

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and Polygraph required.
• BA/BS degree or higher within STEM field, National Security Studies, or field of study supporting operational art & science, or ability to complete degree within one year of hire.
• 12 years or greater recent (since 2010) work experience as CO Planner or combined experience in planner position and other CO support positions: can waive two years of experience requirement for every year spent on a Combat Mission Team (CMT) in any work role; can waive two two years work experience requirement for every year spent in an Offensive Cyberspace Operations planner role within a Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (JFHQ-C) command; OR four years recent (since 2013) work experience in offensive cyberspace capabilities development; can waive two years of experience requirement for every year spent on a CMT in any work roles; can be concurrent with CO Planner or other CO support role.
• Familiarity with military operations including phases of planning, approval, and execution.
• Intimate familiarity with applicable Joint Publications such as JP 3-12 Joint Cyberspace Operations and JP 5-0 Joint Operational Planning.
• Formal training as Cyber Operational Planner within Department of Defense or Intelligence Community.
• Broad knowledge of Blue-space Cyber capabilities and demonstrate understanding of available Cyber infrastructure or platforms to conduct OCO.
• Knowledge of the range of CO and their underlying intelligence support needs, topics, and focus areas.
• Knowledge of computer networking fundamentals as well as concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, wireless).
• Ability to support timely, accurate, relevant analytical production, to include documents, summaries, issue papers, talking points, and briefings.
• Demonstrated proficiency working in a fast-paced collaborative environment, ability to proactively multi-task and meet short deadlines.
• Able to work across Department of Defense and Intelligence Community agencies to support organizational goals.

Favorable If You Have

• Masters degree or higher within STEM field, National Security Studies, or field of study supporting operational art & science.
• Intimate familiarity with USCYBERCOM organizational structure and mission.
• Prior experience supporting Joint operations across multiple warfighting domains.
• Demonstrated experience incorporating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into operations at any level to increase efficiency and effectiveness of operational outcomes.
• Experience with Space-enabled CO.
• Joint Professional Military Education, Phase II (JPME II) graduate, or civilian equivalency.
• Formal training within field of Cyber Warfare and Joint Operations.
• Completion of Service-specific or Joint Cyberspace Operational Planning courses, such as Army Cyberspace Operations Planners Course or Joint Cyberspace Operations Planners Course.
• Familiar with art of Data Science and applicability to CO.
• Familiar with Microsoft Power BI data visualization software.
• Desired Certifications: DoD 8570 IAT Level II (CCNA Security, COMPTIA CySA+, COMPTIA Security + CE, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP).

Notes

COSS: 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.

Original Posting: May 19, 2026

Pay Range: Pay Range $116,350.00 - $210,325.00

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.

Securing Your Data: Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process. If you suspect a scam, contact [e-mail] and your local law enforcement or report to the FTC. Commitment to Non-Discrimination: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, 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 qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.