Defensive Cyberspace Operations Advisor - Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Hoplite Group; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 179,000; Part time

Job summary

Hoplite Group seeks an experienced Defensive Cyberspace Operations Advisor (SME) to support a U.S. Government advisory effort focused on USEUCOM.

The role involves assessing partner-nation DCO capabilities, readiness, and governance structures, and recommending practical improvements for mission assurance and sustained defensive operations. The position is part-time with remoteCONUS support and quarterly OCONUS engagements, with initial travel anticipated January 2027.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Secret Clearance required.
• 7+ years in defensive cyberspace/ cyber operations or military cyberspace planning.
• Experience in cyber defense, incident response, threat-informed defense, and protection of defense networks.

Responsibilities

• Assess partner-nation DCO capabilities, processes, organizational structures, and readiness.
• Examine how DCO capabilities are integrated into joint/all-domain planning, training, and defense institutions.
• Assess cyber defense missions, authorities, and incident response processes.
• Evaluate detection, analysis, response, and recovery of malicious cyber activity affecting defense networks.
• Identify workforce requirements, training, and capability-development priorities.
• Develop evidence-based findings and options for an improvement roadmap.
• Coordinate cyber findings with governance, joint operations, and defense management advisors.

Skills

Active U.S. Secret Clearance

Defensive Cyberspace Operations

Cybersecurity Operations

Cyber Operations

Military Cyberspace Planning

Incident Response

Threat-Informed Defense

Mission Assurance

Defense Networks & Systems Protection

Job description

Opportunity (Part-Time): Defensive Cyberspace Operations Advisor - Subject Matter Expert (SME)Bottom Line Up Front:

Hoplite Group is seeking an experienced Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) Advisor to support a U.S. Government advising effort focused on the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR). The advisor will assess partner-nation cyber defense capabilities, operational readiness, and institutional gaps and recommend practical improvements to mission assurance and sustained defensivecyberspace operations.

Location:

Remote support (CONUS) and forward engagements (OCONUS) as part of a U.S Government advising effort.

Level of Effort:

• Non-Travel months: Approximately 20-30 hours of remote monthly support.
• OCONUS Engagement months: Approximately 80–100 hours/month
• Travel: Anticipate quarterly OCONUS engagements, Initial travel anticipated January 2027

Availability:

Immediate

Objective:

Strengthen partner nation's ability to translate defense strategy into operationally relevant cyber missions and plans, integrate defensive cyber operations (DCO) into all-domain operations, and develop the institutions needed to generate and sustain those capabilities. Assist partner nation in drafting cyber policy anddoctrine.

Advisor Responsibilities:

• Assess partner-nation defensive cyberspace operations capabilities, processes, organizational structures, and operational readiness.
• Examine how DCO capabilities are integrated into joint and all-domain operational planning, mission assurance, construct and training of DCO teams, and defense institutional processes.
• Assess cyber defense missions, authorities, command relationships, operational roles, incident response processes, and coordination mechanisms.
• Evaluate processes for detecting, analyzing, responding to, and recovering from malicious cyberspace activity affecting defense networks, systems, and missions.
• Assess DCO planning, cyber protection activities, operational readiness, training, exercises, workforce requirements, and capability-development priorities.
• Identify operational, organizational, technical, workforce, policy, and resource gaps affecting the partner’s ability to conduct sustained defensive cyberspace operations.
• Design and facilitate cyber mission-area analysis, scenario-based discussions, exercises, and institutional decision activities supporting DMF/DPES assessments.
• Develop evidence-based findings, capability improvement options, and proposed performance measures for incorporation into the institutional improvement roadmap.
• Coordinate cyber findings with governance, joint operations, and defense management advisors to ensure cyberspace requirements are integrated into broader defense planning and capability decisions.

Required Qualifications:

• Active U.S. Secret Clearance7+ years of experience in defensive cyberspace operations, cybersecurity operations, cyber operations, or military cyberspace planning.
• Demonstrated experience in cyber defense, incident response, threat-informed defense, missionassurance, or protection of defense networks and systems.