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At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.
If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!
The Leidos Intelligence Sector combines technology-enabled services and mission software capabilities in the areas of cyber, logistics, security operations, and decision analytics to support our defense and intel customers’ mission to defend against evolving threats around the world.
Your greatest work is ahead!
The Intelligence Sector seeks highly qualified and trained Cyberspace Operational Planners to support Department of Defense Joint Planning processes that underpin United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) operations. Individuals will engage in Cyberspace Operational Planning activities supporting Leidos on-site contract support to USCYBERCOM J3 (Operations), Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), and Joint Task Force-Ares (JTF-ARES).
What you’ll be doing:
- Provide subject matter expertise in Joint plans development and staffing processes within collaborative environment to enable range of Cyberspace Operations (CO) according to USCYBERCOM planning guidance and applicable Joint publications.
- Lead targeting selection, validation, synchronization, and enable integration during the execution of activities within Cyber Warfare domain.
- Draft and staff foundational planning documents such as 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, courses of action, integrate command and external capabilities, coordinate and document comprehensive plans.
- Engage in, and provide situational awareness to, range of projects, Crisis Action Teams, and current operations activities supporting OPTs.
- Develop and review specific CO plans and guidance for integration into broader planning activities and to ensure that execution and resource allocation decisions align with organization objectives.
- Demonstrate knowledge of cyber threats and attack methods and techniques emanating from state and non-state adversaries and tiered vulnerabilities within Blue Space as focus of threats.
- Develop and execute comprehensive programs for assessing CO and validating 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 structure as it pertains to full spectrum CO, including the functions, responsibilities, and interrelationships among distinct internal elements.
- Integrate and synchronize intelligence planning activities with operational planning timelines.
- Conduct long-range, strategic planning efforts with internal and external partners in cyber activities.
- Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and guidance relevant to organization cyber objectives.
- Communicate complex information, concepts, or ideas in a confident and well-organized manner through verbal, written, and/or visual means.
What does Leidos need from me?
- Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and Polygraph required.
- BA/BS degree or higher within STEM field, National Security Studies, or field of study supporting operational art & science, or ability to complete degree within one year of hire.
- 4 to 8 or more years of recent (since 2010) work experience as CO Planner or combined experience in planner position and other CO support positions: can waive two years of experience requirement for every year spent on a Combat Mission Team (CMT) in any work role; can waive two two years work experience requirement for every year spent in an Offensive Cyberspace Operations planner role within a Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (JFHQ-C) command; OR four years recent (since 2013) work experience in offensive cyberspace capabilities development; can waive two years of experience requirement for every year spent on a CMT in any work roles; can be concurrent with CO Planner or other CO support role.
- Familiarity with military operations including phases of planning, approval, and execution.
- Intimate familiarity with applicable Joint Publications such as JP 3-12 Joint Cyberspace Operations and JP 5-0 Joint Operational Planning.
- Formal training as Cyber Operational Planner within Department of Defense or Intelligence Community.
- Broad knowledge of Blue-space Cyber capabilities and demonstrate understanding of available Cyber infrastructure or platforms to conduct OCO.
- Knowledge of the range of CO and their underlying intelligence support needs, topics, and focus areas.
- Knowledge of computer networking fundamentals as well as concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, wireless).
- Ability to support timely, accurate, relevant analytical production, to include documents, summaries, issue papers, talking points, and briefings.
- Demonstrated proficiency working in a fast-paced collaborative environment, ability to proactively multi-task and meet short deadlines.
- Able to work across Department of Defense and Intelligence Community agencies to support organizational goals.
Favorable if you have:
- Masters degree or higher within STEM field, National Security Studies, or field of study supporting operational art & 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 at any level to increase efficiency and effectiveness of operational outcomes.
- Experience with Space-enabled CO.
- Joint Professional Military Education, Phase II (JPME II) graduate, or civilian equivalency.
- Formal training within field of Cyber Warfare and Joint Operations.
- Completion of Service-specific or Joint Cyberspace Operational Planning courses, such as Army Cyberspace Operations Planners Course or Joint Cyberspace Operations Planners Course.
- Familiar with art of Data Science and applicability to CO.
- Familiar with Microsoft Power BI data visualization software.
- Desired Certifications: DoD 8570 IAT Level II (CCNA Security, COMPTIA CySA+, COMPTIA Security + CE, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP).
This posting is for multiple opportunities ranging in years of experience. Level of opportunity including compensation, will be matched to the candidate's experience.
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:October 16, 2026For 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.
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.
Skills Required
- Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and polygraph
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in STEM, National Security Studies, operational art and science, or a related field; degree completion within one year may be accepted
- Four to eight or more years of recent cyberspace operations planning or combined planner and cyberspace operations support experience, with specified alternatives for combat mission team, offensive cyberspace planning, or capabilities development experience
- Familiarity with military operations, including planning, approval, and execution phases
- Intimate familiarity with Joint Publications JP 3-12 and JP 5-0
- Formal training as a Cyber Operational Planner within the Department of Defense or Intelligence Community
- Broad knowledge of Blue-space cyber capabilities and cyber infrastructure or platforms used for offensive cyberspace operations
- Knowledge of cyberspace operations and associated intelligence support requirements
- Knowledge of computer networking fundamentals and communications media, including computer, telephone, satellite, fiber, and wireless networks
- Ability to produce timely, accurate analytical products, including documents, summaries, issue papers, talking points, and briefings
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, multitask, and meet short deadlines
- Ability to work across Department of Defense and Intelligence Community agencies
- Master’s degree or higher in STEM, National Security Studies, operational art and science, or a related field
- Familiarity with USCYBERCOM organizational structure and mission
- Experience supporting Joint operations across multiple warfighting domains
- Experience incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning into operations
- Experience with space-enabled cyberspace operations
- Joint Professional Military Education Phase II or civilian equivalent
- Formal training in cyber warfare and joint operations
- Completion of service-specific or Joint Cyberspace Operational Planning courses
- Familiarity with data science and its application to cyberspace operations
- Familiarity with Microsoft Power BI
- DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification, such as CCNA Security, CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA Security+ CE, GICSP, GSEC, or SSCP
Leidos Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Leidos and has not been reviewed or approved by Leidos.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, with multiple plan options, low office-visit copays in some plans, and access to mental health and wellness support tools. The availability of HSA/FSA options and employer contributions is positioned as a meaningful part of the total package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are framed as a strong component of total rewards, highlighted by a 401(k) match and immediate vesting in the standard package. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is also presented as an additional long-term wealth-building feature.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle supports extend beyond core insurance, including wellness programs, fitness-related stipends, and assistance resources. Work flexibility and related perks are also included as part of the broader rewards experience.
Leidos Insights
What We Do
We Are Leidos For 50 years we have been tackling some of the biggest problems that face our nation and our world. OUR MISSION Through our culture of innovation and history of performance, we develop deep customer trust built on integrity and create enduring solutions that improve our world. Leidos is a science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and healthcare markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020. Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®. Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the newly launched Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos. Your most important work is ahead.
