Offensive Cyberspace Operational Planner, Journeyman

Leidos; Odenton (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 195,050; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Cyber Operations Planner to develop and synchronize Offensive Cyberspace Operations plans in alignment with USCYBERCOM guidance. The role requires a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and polygraph, a BA/BS in a relevant field, and extensive CO planning experience.

You will collaborate with DoD/IC partners to integrate cyberspace capabilities into strategic plans. Responsibilities include drafting OPORDs/FRAGOs, supporting planning groups, and producing clear,

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Computer Science, Cybersecurity or relevant field.
• Six+ years recent CO Planner experience (waivers for Combat Mission Team time).
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and Polygraph.
• Familiarity with OCO concepts, Title 10 vs Title 50, and military planning phases.
• Intimate familiarity with Joint Publications and DoD/IC operational planning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and synchronize Offensive Cyberspace Operations plans to deliver cyber effects.
• Support targeting selection, validation, synchronization, and integration during execution of CO activities.
• Draft and staff Operational Plans (OPLANs), Operational Orders (OPORDs), and FRAGOs.
• Support Joint Operational Planning Groups and Teams; integrate Cyberspace capabilities into plans.
• Communicate complex information clearly in verbal, written, and visual formats.

Skills

OCO planning

Cyberspace Operations

Joint Publications familiarity

Verbal & written comms

Multi-task under deadlines

Clearance coordination

Education

BA/BS in Computer Science or Cybersecurity

Masters preferred

Tools

Power BI

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 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

• Engage in approved plans development and staffing processes within collaborative environment to enable range of Cyberspace Operations (CO) according to USCYBERCOM planning guidance and applicable Joint publications.
• Develop and synchronize Offensive Cyberspace Operational (OCO) plans to deliver integrated cyber effects against adversary systems in support of Joint and National strategic objectives.
• Support 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• Review, approve, prioritize, and submit operational requirements for research, development, and/or acquisition of cyber capabilities.
• 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.
• 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 within Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or relevant field of study.
• Six plus years recent (since 2018) work experience as CO Planner; can waive two years of experience requirement for every year spent on a Combat Mission Team (CMT) in any work role.
• Demonstrated familiarity with OCO concepts, capabilities, and authorities (Title 10 vs. Title 50, and familiarity with military operations including phases of planning, approval, and execution.
• Intimate familiarity with applicable Joint Publications.
• 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 within Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or relevant field of study.
• 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).

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. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting

July 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 onlyand 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.

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.