Cyber Forensics and Malware Analyst (CFMA)

Leidos•Ashburn, VA

About The Position

Leidos is seeking an experienced Cyber Forensics and Malware Analyst (CFMA) to join our team on a highly visible cyber security single-award IDIQ vehicle that provides Network Operations Security Center (NOSC) support, cyber analysis, application development, and a 24x7x365 support staff. The CFMA team provided support during core business hours (7am – 7pm), Monday thru Friday. Flexible start times are considered. Participates in rotating on call schedule. Primary Responsibilities Help define requirements and identify gaps for performing remote compromise assessments Perform as a senior analyst and liaison between the customer and ESOC while performing remote assessments Conduct malware analysis using static and dynamic methodologies (e.g. debuggers [Ollydbg], disassembler [IDA Pro], sandbox execution, etc.) Perform forensics threat emulation by proactively testing methods that mimic specific TTPs of real-world adversaries to validate and improve the organization’s detective and preventive controls Produce malware reports to disseminate to the watch floor and enterprise Capture forensic artifacts such as memory and disk images Work with the SIEM team to implement, enhance, or change existing use cases Pivot on the forensic data working with the Cyber Threat Intelligence team to determine if the malware is part of a larger campaign, how DHS is being targeted and take any further remediation required Lead remote compromise assessments and produce final assessment report Perform live box and dead box forensics to identify compromise and attack vector Provide input for NOSC improvement and identify visibility gaps for enterprise monitoring Deploy and configure network sensors (Suricata), manage Linux VMs (Security Onion, Ubuntu, CentOS), and maintain a small network Potentially travel to other DHS locations (1-3 times/year) to support Incident Response investigations Develop and maintain SOPs and ROE templates Must be able to physically support on-site requirement at Mt. Weather during pre-determined operations as well as ad hoc situations Basic Qualifications The candidate must currently possess a Top Secret/SCI Clearance with ability to obtain a DHS Entry on Duty (EOD) clearance. BS in IT related field and 12+ years’ experience in an IT field, or MS in IT related field and 10+ years’ experience in an IT Field, with a minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience in incident detection and response, malware analysis, or cyber forensics. Of the eight (8) years of professional experience requirements above, Cyber Forensics and Malware Analyst candidates shall have at least one (1) of the following specialized experience for their position: Digital Media Forensics Analyst: Candidates shall have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience performing digital media forensic analysis, static malware code disassembly/analysis, and/or runtime malware code analysis. Incident Response Analyst: Candidates shall have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience responding to information system security incidents. Ability to use the DHS furnished toolset to identify and determine root causes of incidents and provide any required documentation and possible evidence to security investigators. Must have at least one of the following certifications: Must have one of the following certifications: CASP+ CE, CCNP-Security, CISA, CISSP (or Associate), GCED, GCIH, CCSP Additionally preferred certifications held: SANS GIAC: GCIA, GCFA, GPEN, GWAPT, GCFE, GREM, GXPN, GMON, GISF ISC2: CCFP, CISSP CERT CSIH EC Council: CHFI, LPT, ECSA Offensive Security: OSCP, OSCE, OSWP and OSEE EnCase: EnCE Defense Cyber Investigative Training Academy: FTK WFE-FTK, CIRC, WFE-E-CI, FIW Preferred Qualifications Experience in supporting malware analysis and forensics in cyber operations, and/or federal law enforcement. Understand and utilize Threat Intel Frameworks (e.g. Cyber Kill Chain, MITRE ATT&CK, Diamond Model) Network tool (e.g. network tap, IDS sensors, etc) configuration for on-site assessment Hands-on experience with EnCase, FTK, EDRs (CrowdStrike, Trellix Tanium), Volatility, Security Onion, Suricata, Gigamon, VMWare ESXi, Splunk Signature (e.g. Snort, Yara, Suricata) development/tuning Expert knowledge in host-based analysis/forensics Proficient in performing timeline analysis and extracting artifacts from digital media Experienced reverse engineering and analyzing malware and developing a malware analysis report Ability to perform in-depth network forensics Develop and implement hunt methodologies for fly away assessments and for the SOC Proficient in one more of the following computer languages Python, Bash, Visual Basic or PowerShell to support cyber threat detection or reporting Extensive knowledge about network ports and protocols (e.g. TCP/UDP, HTTP, ICMP, DNS, SMTP, etc.) Experienced with network topologies and network security devices (e.g. Firewall, IDS/IPS, Proxy, DNS, WAF, etc.) Proficient working in a Windows and Linux operating system Experience with cloud forensics (e.g. AWS or Azure environments 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: January 23, 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. Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500® innovation company rapidly addressing the world's most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 47,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenue of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023. 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 here. Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [email protected]. Commitment and Diversity 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.

Requirements

The candidate must currently possess a Top Secret/SCI Clearance with ability to obtain a DHS Entry on Duty (EOD) clearance.
BS in IT related field and 12+ years’ experience in an IT field, or MS in IT related field and 10+ years’ experience in an IT Field, with a minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience in incident detection and response, malware analysis, or cyber forensics.
Of the eight (8) years of professional experience requirements above, Cyber Forensics and Malware Analyst candidates shall have at least one (1) of the following specialized experience for their position: Digital Media Forensics Analyst: Candidates shall have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience performing digital media forensic analysis, static malware code disassembly/analysis, and/or runtime malware code analysis.
Incident Response Analyst: Candidates shall have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience responding to information system security incidents.
Ability to use the DHS furnished toolset to identify and determine root causes of incidents and provide any required documentation and possible evidence to security investigators.
Must have at least one of the following certifications: Must have one of the following certifications: CASP+ CE, CCNP-Security, CISA, CISSP (or Associate), GCED, GCIH, CCSP

Nice To Haves

Experience in supporting malware analysis and forensics in cyber operations, and/or federal law enforcement.
Understand and utilize Threat Intel Frameworks (e.g. Cyber Kill Chain, MITRE ATT&CK, Diamond Model)
Network tool (e.g. network tap, IDS sensors, etc) configuration for on-site assessment
Hands-on experience with EnCase, FTK, EDRs (CrowdStrike, Trellix Tanium), Volatility, Security Onion, Suricata, Gigamon, VMWare ESXi, Splunk
Signature (e.g. Snort, Yara, Suricata) development/tuning
Expert knowledge in host-based analysis/forensics
Proficient in performing timeline analysis and extracting artifacts from digital media
Experienced reverse engineering and analyzing malware and developing a malware analysis report
Ability to perform in-depth network forensics
Develop and implement hunt methodologies for fly away assessments and for the SOC
Proficient in one more of the following computer languages Python, Bash, Visual Basic or PowerShell to support cyber threat detection or reporting
Extensive knowledge about network ports and protocols (e.g. TCP/UDP, HTTP, ICMP, DNS, SMTP, etc.)
Experienced with network topologies and network security devices (e.g. Firewall, IDS/IPS, Proxy, DNS, WAF, etc.)
Proficient working in a Windows and Linux operating system
Experience with cloud forensics (e.g. AWS or Azure environments

Responsibilities

Help define requirements and identify gaps for performing remote compromise assessments
Perform as a senior analyst and liaison between the customer and ESOC while performing remote assessments
Conduct malware analysis using static and dynamic methodologies (e.g. debuggers [Ollydbg], disassembler [IDA Pro], sandbox execution, etc.)
Perform forensics threat emulation by proactively testing methods that mimic specific TTPs of real-world adversaries to validate and improve the organization’s detective and preventive controls
Produce malware reports to disseminate to the watch floor and enterprise
Capture forensic artifacts such as memory and disk images
Work with the SIEM team to implement, enhance, or change existing use cases
Pivot on the forensic data working with the Cyber Threat Intelligence team to determine if the malware is part of a larger campaign, how DHS is being targeted and take any further remediation required
Lead remote compromise assessments and produce final assessment report
Perform live box and dead box forensics to identify compromise and attack vector
Provide input for NOSC improvement and identify visibility gaps for enterprise monitoring
Deploy and configure network sensors (Suricata), manage Linux VMs (Security Onion, Ubuntu, CentOS), and maintain a small network
Potentially travel to other DHS locations (1-3 times/year) to support Incident Response investigations
Develop and maintain SOPs and ROE templates
Must be able to physically support on-site requirement at Mt. Weather during pre-determined operations as well as ad hoc situations