Frontline Cyber Defense Analyst — TS/SCI

Leidos; 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 protecting TS/SCI networks in Suitland, MD. You will monitor security tools, investigate alerts, and contribute to proactive threat hunting, incident response, and intelligence analysis.

Ideal candidates have 4+ years in cybersecurity, hands-on experience with SIEMs, NIDPS, and scripting, and hold an active TS/SCI clearance. The role offers challenging work at a premier government contractor with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Information Assurance, or related area desired, with 4+ years of experience.
• 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 SIEMs such as Splunk and Elastic.
• Experience with NIDPS (Cisco FirePower, Palo Alto NGFW) and host tools (Trellix ePO, Defender, Tanium).
• Knowledge of scripting languages (Python, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, PowerShell, C, C++, Java).
• Knowledge of penetration testing tools (Kali, SamuraiWTF, Nmap, Burp Suite, sqlmap, Metasploit).
• Knowledge of ticketing systems, reporting, and intelligence gathering in cybersecurity.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform first-line monitoring of security tools and initial 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, escalating to Tier 2 as needed.
• Create, update, and manage incident/even tickets in the ticketing system.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting to identify malicious activity and emerging threats.
• Perform wireless security scans of facilities 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

CND discipline

SIEM (Splunk/Elastic)

NIDPS (FirePower / Palo Alto)

Trellix ePO / Defender / Tanium

Python

PowerShell

JavaScript

C

C++

Java

Perl

Ruby

Kali

Burp Suite

Nmap

Metasploit

sqlmap

Threat hunting

Ticketing systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity or related field

Tools

Splunk

Elastic

Cisco FirePower

Palo Alto NGFW

Trellix ePO

Microsoft Defender

Tanium

Kali Linux

Burp Suite

Nmap

Metasploit

sqlmap

Job description

Leidos is seeking a Cyber Defense Analyst to join a mission-focused team protecting TS/SCI networks in Suitland, MD. You will monitor security tools, investigate alerts, and contribute to proactive threat hunting, incident response, and intelligence analysis.

Ideal candidates have 4+ years in cybersecurity, hands-on experience with SIEMs, NIDPS, and scripting, and hold an active TS/SCI clearance. The role offers challenging work at a premier government contractor with comprehensive benefits.