Media Malware Analyst, Senior

Leidos Inc; Odenton (MD); On-site; USD 107,900 - 195,050; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness programs

Paid Leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

A leader in technology and security solutions is seeking a Cybersecurity Analyst in Maryland to provide critical support for USCYBERCOM. The role requires a strong background in malware analysis, reverse engineering, and incident handling. Candidates must have an active Top Secret clearance along with at least eight years of experience in cybersecurity. This position involves leading forensic analysis and creating detailed reports to support defense operations. Competitive salary range from $107,900 to $195,050.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and Polygraph required.
• Eight plus years' demonstrated proficiency in malware analysis.
• Strong familiarity with network protocols and cyber threat analysis.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely support for identifying and assessing threats in Cyberspace.
• Lead forensic analysis of compromised systems.
• Create technical analysis reports with actionable intelligence findings.

Skills

Malware analysis

Reverse engineering

Incident handling

Cyber threat analysis

Communication skills

Analytical production

Education

BA/BS in Computer Science or related field

Masters' Degree in Cybersecurity

Tools

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Wireshark

Sandbox environments

Job 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 National Security Sector (NSS) 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

• Provide timely, accurate, relevant support in manner that best supports USCYBERCOM in identifying and assessing emerging threats and vulnerabilities in the Cyberspace domain.
• Lead forensic analysis of vulnerable or compromised systems and media and identify and analyze adversary TTPs and intrusion artifacts, and lead static and dynamic malware analysis, including reverse engineering and extracting malicious files from digital media and conduct detailed file analysis, as appropriate.
• Create technical analysis reports with actionable intelligence findings, delivering timely, accurate, relevant threat briefs and analysis updates that meet explicit and implied requirements, and deliver presentations to leadership in appropriate formats.
• Identify unique indicators for signature and heuristic development.
• Oversee drafting, release, and implementation of security incident response policies.
• Analyze operational reporting to correlate attack trends and shared tradecraft and support development and improvement of enterprise malware analysis tools.
• Conduct log/system analysis (routers, Windows, UNIX) for threat detection and update DoD situational awareness mechanisms (e.g., USCYBERCOM portals).
• Research open‑source intel to inform threat assessments and signature creation.
• Develop and maintain validated MD5 hash lists for signature repositories.
• Analyze and evaluate All‑Source finished intelligence, single‑source intelligence, and technical data from various sources to identify Cyber threat patterns and anomalies.
• Conduct and publish in‑depth risk assessments to evaluate and categorize the risk posture of detected cyber threats while supporting development and refinement of risk assessment methodologies and tools used for threat categorization.
• 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, 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.
• Apply 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.
• Review, approve, prioritize, and submit operational requirements for research, development, and/or acquisition of Cyber capabilities.
• 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?

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and Polygraph required.
• BA/BS degree or higher within Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Digital Forensics, or related field, or ability to complete degree within one year of hire. Can substitute formal education with extended experience and technical certifications.
• Eight plus years' demonstrated proficiency in malware analysis (static/dynamic), incident handling, and reverse engineering.
• Working experience with tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, Wireshark, Volatility, and sandbox environments.
• Strong familiarity with network protocols, OS internals (Windows/Linux/UNIX), and cyber threat 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).
• 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.
• Strong interpersonal, critical thinking, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey complex and technical data to non‑technical consumers.

Favorable if you have

• Masters' Degree or higher within Cybersecurity, Information Security, or related fields.
• Experience developing detection signatures and writing technical reports for leadership.
• 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.
• Experience with Space‑enabled CO.
• Formal training within field of Cyber Warfare and Joint Operations.
• Familiar with art of Data Science and applicability to CO.
• Familiar with Microsoft Power BI data visualization software.
• Desired Certifications (not all inclusive, no expectations for candidate to hold all certifications): GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM); Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst (CREA); Certified Malware Analyst (CMA); Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR); GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA); GIAC Cyber Threat Intelligence (GCTI).

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 responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), and 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.

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 (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

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.

Original Posting: June 17, 2025