Junior Defensive Cyber Operator

JFL Consulting LLC • Fort Belvoir, VA

8d • $75,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

JFL Consulting is currently seeking a motivated Junior Defensive Cyber Operator to join a traveling mobile defensive cyber operations assessment team. The successful candidate will support network vulnerability and security assessments designed to identify cybersecurity risks and recommend remediation actions for customers. Working under the direction of a Senior Cyber Operator, the Junior Defensive Cyber Operator will assist with collecting and analyzing full-packet-capture network traffic, identifying unauthorized or potentially malicious activity, conducting vulnerability and configuration-compliance scans, and developing network models. The Junior Defensive Cyber Operator will also help document technical findings and prepare reports and briefings for customers.

This position is well suited for someone with foundational cybersecurity or networking experience who wants to develop hands-on skills in network forensics, vulnerability assessment, packet analysis, and network modeling. JFL Consulting can provide structured training, mentoring, and on-the-job experience to help the selected candidate progress toward independently performing all aspects of an assessment. The team operates in a fast-paced environment and travels to customer locations to complete mission objectives. Candidates must be comfortable learning new tools, troubleshooting technical problems, working collaboratively, and adapting to changing mission requirements.

Requirements

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in a technical field
• In lieu of a degree, 10 years of directly related operational experience may be substituted
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Candidates must possess and maintain, or be able to obtain within the timeframe permitted by the contract, the certifications required for the assigned DoD cybersecurity workforce role, one of each of the following
• DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II certification (e.g., Security+, GCIH, CYSA+)
• DoD 8140/8570 CSSP certification (e.g., CySA+, CEH, PenTest+, or another contract-approved equivalent.)
• Foundational knowledge of TCP/IP, network protocols, routing, switching, firewalls, and common network services.
• Familiarity with Windows and Linux operating environments
• Basic understanding of cybersecurity vulnerabilities, security controls, network monitoring, and risk mitigation
• Ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot computer hardware and software
• Ability to follow technical procedures and safely connect equipment to operational networks
• Ability to analyze technical information and accurately document observations and findings
• Strong communication, teamwork, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability and willingness to learn unfamiliar cybersecurity tools and technical processes
• Ability to obtain and maintain any additional customer-specific access, training, or certification requirements

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with DOD Cyber Protection Teams
• Prior military, federal government, or DoD cybersecurity experience
• Experience supporting cybersecurity assessments, incident response, network operations, or vulnerability-management activities
• Hands-on experience with packet-analysis tools
• Familiarity with vulnerability-scanning tools
• Familiarity with network-discovery, configuration-collection, or network-modeling tools
• Experience using network taps, SPAN ports, packet brokers, or other network-monitoring technologies
• Familiarity with Linux distributions
• Basic scripting or programming experience using Python, PowerShell, Bash, Perl, C, or a similar language
• Familiarity with DoD system authorization, vulnerability-management, and Information Assurance Vulnerability Alert processes
• Demonstrated interest in network security, network forensics, threat analysis, or defensive cyber operations
• Relevant military technical training, cybersecurity certification programs, technical schools, and documented hands-on laboratory experience may be considered when evaluating a candidate’s qualifications

Responsibilities

• Support the technical planning, preparation, and execution of defensive cyber assessments
• Work under the supervision of a Senior Cyber Operator to safely connect assessment equipment to customer networks
• Assist with configuring and operating network taps, sensors, and other data-collection equipment
• Capture and analyze network traffic using packet-analysis and network-security monitoring tools
• Review network traffic for unauthorized activity, security weaknesses, indicators of compromise, and abnormal behavior
• Assist with conducting credentialed and non-credentialed vulnerability and configuration-compliance scans
• Support network discovery, configuration collection, and network-modeling activities
• Review assessment results and help identify potential vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and cybersecurity risks
• Document technical observations, supporting evidence, and recommended mitigation actions
• Assist with preparing assessment reports, technical briefings, and customer out-brief presentations
• Support the development and maintenance of assessment-specific network connection and authorization documentation
• Coordinate with team members, customer technical personnel, site points of contact, and subject-matter experts
• Install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot cybersecurity assessment hardware and software
• Participate in user-acceptance testing, mission rehearsals, equipment inventories, and toolkit preparation
• Follow established standard operating procedures, safety requirements, and rules of engagement
• Participate in technical training and on-the-job development to achieve qualification across all assessment functions
• Maintain assessment equipment and assist with post-assessment equipment sanitization and reconstitution
• Provide recommendations for improving tools, training, processes, and standard operating procedures
• Travel approximately 30–50%, including occasional travel on short notice
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees and dependents
• Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter)
• Life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability
• 401(k) with immediate vesting of company contribution
• Generous PTO policy (15 vacation, 5 sick, 2 personal days, 11 holidays)
• certification reimbursement
• dedicated professional development funding
• company-provided access to online learning platforms

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level