Senior Cyber Operations Planner

Leidos•Odenton, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Leidos Intelligence Sector seeks highly qualified Cyberspace Operational Planners 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), Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), and Joint Task Force-Ares (JTF-ARES). The planner supports the development, staffing, and integration of cyberspace operational plans and activities in accordance with USCYBERCOM planning guidance and applicable Joint publications. Work includes operational planning, targeting support, coordination with internal and external partners, current-operations transitions, capability assessments, and long-range strategic planning. The role requires knowledge of cyber threats and capabilities, military planning, relevant policies and laws, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly. This posting covers multiple opportunities with varying experience levels; the opportunity level and compensation will be matched to the candidate’s experience.

Requirements

Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and polygraph.
Bachelor’s degree 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.
One of the following experience pathways: at least 4 years of recent (since 2014) work experience as a CO Planner, with two years of the experience requirement waivable for each year spent in any role on a Combat Mission Team (CMT) or as an Offensive Cyberspace Operations planner within a Joint Force Headquarters–Cyber (JFHQ-C); or at least 4 years of recent (since 2013) experience in offensive cyberspace capabilities development, with two years waivable for each year spent in any role on a CMT.
Familiarity with military operations, including planning, approval, and execution phases.
Intimate familiarity with applicable Joint Publications, such as 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 OCO.
Knowledge of the range of CO 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 support timely, accurate, relevant analytical production, including documents, summaries, issue papers, talking points, and briefings.
Demonstrated proficiency in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, including proactive multitasking and meeting 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 CO.
Joint Professional Military Education, Phase II (JPME II) graduate or civilian equivalency.
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 CO.
Familiarity with Microsoft Power BI data visualization software.
Desired DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification, such as CCNA Security, CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA Security+ CE, GICSP, GSEC, or SSCP.

Responsibilities

Engage in approved plans development and staffing processes to enable a range of Cyberspace Operations (CO), according to USCYBERCOM planning guidance and applicable Joint publications.
Support targeting selection, validation, and synchronization, and enable integration during execution of activities in the Cyber Warfare domain.
Draft and staff foundational planning documents, including 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 and courses of action; integrate command and external capabilities; and coordinate and document comprehensive plans.
Participate in projects, Crisis Action Teams, and current operations activities supporting OPTs, and provide situational awareness.
Develop and review CO plans and guidance for integration into broader planning activities, ensuring execution and resource-allocation decisions align with organizational objectives.
Demonstrate knowledge of cyber threats, attack methods, and techniques used by state and non-state adversaries, including tiered vulnerabilities within Blue Space.
Develop and execute programs to assess CO and validate operational performance characteristics.
Review, approve, prioritize, and submit operational requirements for research, development, and/or acquisition of cyber capabilities.
Develop and maintain deliberate and/or CO crisis plans.
Analyze and assess internal and external partner CO capabilities and tools.
Transition operational planning efforts to current operations.
Navigate organizational structures and understand functions, responsibilities, and interrelationships among internal elements supporting full-spectrum CO.
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, or ideas clearly and confidently through verbal, written, and/or visual means.