Senior Cybersecurity & Defensive Cyber Analyst

NRO • Chantilly, VA

4d • $148,275 - $197,200

About The Position

For over sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America's advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet. Learn more at nro.gov . Do you have experience in cybersecurity, threat analysis, and incident response? Are you passionate about protecting critical intelligence systems from cyber threats? Does analyzing and responding to security incidents for space-based reconnaissance systems interest you? If so, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is looking for you! The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes via a continuous announcement for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GG-14-15) Senior Cybersecurity & Defensive Cyber Analysts, occupational series 2210. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here . This position focuses on the following DoD 8140 Work Roles: Systems Security Analyst (461) Defense Cyber Analyst (511) Cyber Defense Incident Responder (531) Software Developer (621) Secure Software Assessor (622) Security Architect (652) This is a fulltime position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• You will be subject to preemployment and periodic drug testing
• You will be subject to preemployment and periodic polygraph examinations
• Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement.
• This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement.
• Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• This position does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.
• Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025, https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/latest-memos/merit-hiring-plan.pdf will not be eligible for consideration.
• Specialized experience is defined as experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
• Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above.
• Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution
• Minimum of 8 years of specialized experience in systems security analysis, cyber defense, incident response, software development, or security architecture
• Mastery of and directly applicable experience with advanced cybersecurity principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices
• Experience developing and interpreting policies, procedures, and strategies governing the planning and delivery of cybersecurity services throughout the agency
• Proven ability to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical cybersecurity issues
• Significant experience applying new developments to previously unsolvable problems and making decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important agency cybersecurity policies or programs
• Proven ability to manage largescale cybersecurity initiatives from end to end to include leading cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated experience communicating with high-ranking stakeholders to resolve issues, provide executive briefings and status updates
• Experience delivering cybersecurity solutions using Agile and lean methodologies

Responsibilities

• Systems Security Leadership - Serve as an expert security analyst and consultant, managing and directing the analysis and development of the integration, testing, operations, and maintenance of systems security at an enterprise level.
• Cyber Defense Leadership - Lead the analysis of data collected from a variety of cyber defense tools to identify and mitigate sophisticated threats. Develop advanced threat hunting methodologies and defensive strategies for critical systems.
• Incident Response Leadership - Direct the investigation, analysis, and response to complex cyber incidents within the network environment. Develop and implement incident response procedures and recovery strategies for enterprise systems.
• Software Security Leadership - Lead the development, creation, maintenance, and assessment of secure applications and software systems. Establish secure coding practices and security assessment methodologies for the organization.
• Security Architecture Leadership - Design enterprise and systems security throughout the development lifecycle at a strategic level. Translate technology and environmental conditions into comprehensive security designs and processes.
• Leadership to Ad Hoc Teams - Lead cross-functional teams at scale or in highly complex environments to develop innovative cybersecurity solutions. Focus team efforts towards current goals and priorities. Plan, develop, and execute largescale cybersecurity initiatives that transform the manner in which work is accomplished.
• Relationship Management - Work closely with customer agencies in senior leadership roles and navigate conflicting priorities from senior stakeholders or in complex environments. Reinforce, uphold, and advocate core principles for building secure IT services and systems.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees