Cyberspace Operations Planner, Senior

Leidos•Fort Meade, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Leidos seeks a senior Cyberspace Operations Planner to support Department of Defense Joint Planning processes underpinning United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) operations. The role provides on-site contract support to USCYBERCOM J3 (Operations), the Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), and Joint Task Force-Ares (JTF-ARES). The planner contributes subject-matter expertise across cyberspace operational planning, plan development and staffing, targeting, integration of cyber capabilities, and coordination with internal and external partners. The work includes developing and maintaining deliberate and crisis plans, supporting planning groups and current operations, integrating intelligence planning with operational timelines, and ensuring plans and resource decisions align with organizational objectives. This posting covers multiple opportunities with differing experience levels. Opportunity level and compensation will be matched to the candidate’s experience. The position requires an active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and a polygraph. A bachelor’s degree or higher in a STEM field, National Security Studies, or a field supporting operational art and science is required, or the ability to complete the degree within one year of hire. Leidos anticipates a pay range of $87,100 to $157,450; compensation is not guaranteed and depends on factors including responsibilities, education, experience, skills, and internal equity.

Requirements

Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and polygraph.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in a STEM field, National Security Studies, or a field supporting operational art and science, or ability to complete the degree within one year of hire.
Four to eight or more years of recent (since 2010) work experience as a cyberspace operations planner or combined experience in a planner position and other cyberspace operations support positions; specified experience waivers apply for Combat Mission Team and Joint Force Headquarters–Cyber offensive cyberspace planning experience.
Alternatively, four years of recent (since 2013) work experience in offensive cyberspace capabilities development; specified Combat Mission Team experience waivers may apply, and this experience may be concurrent with cyberspace operations planning or other cyberspace operations support work.
Familiarity with military operations, including planning, approval, and execution phases.
Intimate familiarity with applicable Joint Publications, such as JP 3-12 Joint Cyberspace Operations and JP 5-0 Joint Operational Planning.
Formal training as a Cyber Operational Planner within the Department of Defense or Intelligence Community.
Broad knowledge of Blue-space cyber capabilities and understanding of available cyber infrastructure or platforms for conducting Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO).
Knowledge of the range of cyberspace operations and their underlying intelligence support needs, topics, and focus areas.
Knowledge of computer networking fundamentals and concepts, terminology, and operations across communications media, including computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, and wireless.
Ability to produce timely, accurate, and relevant analytical products, including documents, summaries, issue papers, talking points, and briefings.
Demonstrated proficiency in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, with the ability to multitask proactively and meet short deadlines.
Ability to work across Department of Defense and Intelligence Community agencies to support organizational goals.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher in a STEM field, National Security Studies, or a field supporting operational art and science.
Intimate 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 to improve efficiency and effectiveness of outcomes.
Experience with Space-enabled cyberspace operations.
Joint Professional Military Education, Phase II (JPME II) graduate or civilian equivalent.
Formal training in Cyber Warfare and Joint Operations.
Completion of service-specific or Joint Cyberspace Operational Planning courses, such as the Army Cyberspace Operations Planners Course or Joint Cyberspace Operations Planners Course.
Familiarity with data science and its applicability to cyberspace operations.
Familiarity with Microsoft Power BI data visualization software.
DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification, such as CCNA Security, CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA Security+ CE, GICSP, GSEC, or SSCP.

Responsibilities

Provide subject-matter expertise in Joint plans development and staffing processes in support of cyberspace operations under USCYBERCOM planning guidance and applicable Joint publications.
Lead targeting selection, validation, and synchronization, and enable integration during cyber warfare activities.
Draft and staff foundational planning documents, including Operational Plans (OPLANS), Operational Orders (OPORDs), and Fragmentary Orders (FRAGOs).
Lead and support Joint Operational Planning Groups and Teams (OPG/OPT), and develop and integrate cyberspace capabilities into plans.
Develop concepts of support and courses of action; integrate command and external capabilities; and coordinate and document comprehensive plans.
Support projects, Crisis Action Teams, and current operations activities, providing situational awareness to planning teams.
Develop and review cyberspace operations plans and guidance for integration into broader planning and alignment of execution and resource-allocation decisions with organizational objectives.
Demonstrate knowledge of cyber threats, adversary attack methods and techniques, and vulnerabilities within Blue Space.
Develop and execute programs for assessing cyberspace operations and validating operational performance characteristics.
Review, approve, prioritize, and submit operational requirements for research, development, or acquisition of cyber capabilities.
Develop and maintain deliberate and cyberspace operations crisis plans.
Analyze and assess internal and external partners’ cyberspace operations capabilities and tools.
Transition operational planning efforts to current operations.
Navigate organizational structures and relationships relevant to full-spectrum cyberspace operations.
Integrate and synchronize intelligence planning activities with operational planning timelines.
Conduct long-range strategic planning with internal and external partners in cyber activities.
Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and guidance relevant to organizational cyber objectives.
Communicate complex information, concepts, and ideas clearly through verbal, written, or visual means.