Joint Fires Operational Planner, Senior

Leidos; Odenton (MD); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos seeks a seasoned cyber/ intelligence professional to lead operational planning for Joint Fires targeting in support of USCYBERCOM. You will coordinate with DISA/NSA and partner commands, develop cyber-focused tactics, and serve as a liaison between SMEs and developers during planning and operations.

The role requires extensive Joint Targeting expertise, DoD/IC certifications, and mastery of the Joint Targeting Cycle.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph.
• BA/BS in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Intelligence Studies, or related field, or ability to complete degree within one year.
• Ten to Twelve plus years’ experience supporting CO or intelligence operations, with a focus on support to Joint Targeting.
• DoD or IC-sponsored certification for Joint Targeting.
• Graduate of DoD or IC-sponsored operational planning training and advanced understanding of Joint Operations Planning process.
• Mastery of Joint Targeting Cycle and related doctrine (CJCSI 3370.01, JP 3-60).
• High proficiency with target management systems (e.g., MIDB, Coliseum, CAT Toolkits).
• Demonstrated experience leading boards/working groups (JTWG, JTCM, JTCB).

Responsibilities

• Lead provision of timely, accurate Operational Planning support underpinning USCYBERCOM Joint Fires Targeting.
• Coordinate targeting strategy development with DISA, NSA, and other agencies to implement Joint Fires requirements.
• Develop and deliver Cyber-focused TTPs to assist future operations planners.
• Act as liaison between capability SMEs and developers during planning and operations.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver USCYBERCOM joint targeting policies and guidance.
• Lead or participate in JTWG, JTCM, JTCB to prioritize target requirements.
• Prepare strike packages and cyber fires approval packages for non-kinetic fires activities.
• Synchronize targeting methodologies across Cyber and information-related capabilities.
• Support integration of targeting into the broader joint targeting cycle with interagency coordination.
• Facilitate transition of Fires tasks to Cyber Mission Force as needed.
• Analyze and evaluate All-Source intelligence to identify Cyber threat patterns.
• Collaborate with operational, technical, and intelligence elements to enhance awareness and response.
• Maintain current understanding of APTs, TTPs, and cyber threat trends for national security.
• Provide situational awareness to projects and Crisis Action Teams; support OPTs.
• Execute resource allocation aligned with organizational objectives.
• Interpret and apply laws and policies relevant to daily activities.
• Communicate complex information clearly in verbal, written, and visual forms.

Skills

Security clearance TS/SCI

Joint Targeting

Targeting coordination

Cyber operations

DoD/IC targeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Cybersecurity/CS/Intelligence

DoD/IC Joint Targeting certification

Tools

MIDB

Coliseum

CAT Targeting Toolkits

Job description

Description

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. The Leidos 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.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead provision of timely, accurate, relevant Operational Planning support the underpins and drives USCYBERCOM Joint Fires Targeting process.
• Coordinate targeting strategy development and engagement responsibilities with supported, supporting, and partner commands such as Defense. Information Systems Agency (DISA), National Security Agency (NSA), other interagency organizations and other service providers to ensure that USCYBERCOM and/or Cyber Mission Forces Joint Fires requirements are implemented.
• Develop and deliver Cyber-focused TTPs that advise future operations planners on achieving Cyberspace Operations effects within the "realm of the possible" in support of operations and exercise objectives.
• Act as technical liaison on behalf of the USCYBERCOM Operations Directorate between capability SMEs and capability developers, capability testers, planning teams, operations support staff, and operating units during planning and operations.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver USCYBERCOM joint targeting policies, procedures, and commander's targeting guidance.
• Participate and lead, where appropriate, Boards, Bureaus, Centers, Cells, and Working Groups (B2C2WGs) such as Joint Targeting Working Groups (JTWG), Joint Targeting Coordination Meetings (JTCM), and Joint Targeting. Coordination Boards (JTCB), to prioritize and synchronize target requirements
• Prepare strike packages, Cyber fires approval packages, Information Operations target packages, and otherwise support all USCYBERCOM non-kinetic fires activities.
• Synchronize targeting methodologies across Cyber and information-related capabilities.
• Manage intermediate and advanced target development lists and support conduct target development, target systems analysis, and Cyber weapons capability analysis.
• Support integration of targeting activities into the broader joint targeting cycle, including interagency coordination.
• Facilitate the transition of Fires tasks, as appropriate to Cyber Mission Force (CMF).
• Analyze and evaluate All-Source finished intelligence and technical data from various sources to identify Cyber threat patterns and anomalies.
• Collaborate with operational, technical, and intelligence elements across. USCYBERCOM to enhance situational awareness and threat response capabilities.
• Maintain a current understanding of advanced persistent threats (APTs), threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and cyber threat trends affecting national security.
• Maintain situational awareness of, and execute on demand, Cyberspace Operations (CO) crisis plans.
• Provide situational awareness to a range of projects, Crisis Action Teams, and current operations activities supporting Operational Planning Teams (OPTs).
• Execute resource allocation decisions aligned with organization objectives
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and guidance relevant to daily activities.
• Communicate complex information, concepts, or ideas in a confident and well-organized manner through verbal, written, and/or visual means.

What does Leidos need from me?

• Currently active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance with Polygraph is required for consideration.
• BA/BS degree or higher within Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Intelligence Studies, or related field, or ability to complete degree within one year of hire. Can substitute formal education with extended experience and technical certifications. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Ten to Twelve plus years’ experience supporting CO or intelligence operations, with a focus on support to Joint Targeting. Will accept 15 years’ experience combined across CO, Information Operations, Joint Targeting, and Operational Planning fields.
• DoD or Intelligence Community (IC)-sponsored certification for Joint Targeting.
• Graduate of DoD or IC-sponsored operational planning training and advanced understanding of Joint Operations Planning process, to include all applicable foundational doctrine and methodologies.
• High-level of proficiency with target management systems (e.g., MIDB, Coliseum, CAT Targeting Toolkits) supporting non-kinetic effects.
• Mastery of Joint Targeting Cycle and related doctrine (e.g., CJCSI 3370.01, JP 3-60).
• DOD 8140/DOD 8570 IAT Level II Certified.
• Demonstrated experience working with targeting Boards and Working Groups (JTWG, JTCM, JTCB) and able to lead boards or working groups, as necessary.
• Demonstrated experience leading intermediate to advanced-level target development and preliminary collateral effects analysis.
• Broad knowledge of Blue-space Cyber capabilities and demonstrate understanding of available Cyber infrastructure or platforms to conduct Defensive (DCO) and Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO), as well as computer networking fundamentals and 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.
• Strong interpersonal, critical thinking, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey complex and technical data to nontechnical consumers.

Favorable If You Have

• Masters’ Degree or higher within Strategic Intelligence, Cyber Strategy, Military Operational Art and Science, Defense and Strategic Studies, Homeland Security or National Defense Policy, Cybersecurity, Information Security or related fields.
• Deep understanding of 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.
• Prior Red Team or OPFOR participation with a focus on adversary decision-making and target system modeling.
• Deep Experience synchronizing targeting efforts with interagency partners (NSA, CIA, FBI, DOS) or foreign allied cyber commands.
• Experience with Space-enabled CO
• Strong familiarity with targeting-related legal reviews (LOAC, ROE, PPD-20/NSPM-13), Collateral Damage Estimates (CDE), or Strike Approval Processes.
• Formal training within field of Cyber Warfare and Joint Operations.
• Familiar with art of Data Science and applicability to CO and use of advanced targeting visualization tools or programming/scripting for data analytics such as Power BI.

Desired Certifications

DoD 8570 IAT Level II (CCNA Security, COMPTIA CySA+, COMPTIA Security + CE, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP)

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

August 20, 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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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.