We are seeking a DCO Cyber Ops Planner in Ft Meade, MD.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as a Planner for the defensive cyber mission following common practices established through joint planning curriculum
- Provide information assurance leadership for Cyberspace Defense concepts, practices, and procedures.
- Work independently to evaluate and solve complex cyber security problems quickly and completely and report findings to the Government.
- Apply knowledge to government and commercial common user systems, as well as dedicated special purpose systems requiring specialized security features to track malicious activity with known indicators from intelligence partners.
- Provide guidance and direction to other professionals and serve in a consulting and/or advisory capacity to develop an indicator management program for DISA to monitor, report and eradicate enemy presence on the DODIN.
- Coordinate/collaborate with program offices developing/acquiring tools for defensive cyber operations as well as with the organizations operating those tools to ensure effective implementation and employment.
- Coordinate/collaborate with DISA and DCDC staff to develop operations and exercises that advance operational capabilities.
- Advise leadership on tool capabilities to support ongoing and future operations.
- Foster and encourage a collaborative environment to champion a cybersecurity culture.
- Mentor and train other technical staff.
Basic Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI security clearance.
- Bachelor's degree in IT-related field and 8+ years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of applicable experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree. Experience with various Microsoft technologies such as MS Office 2013 (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and SharePoint
- Hold DoD-8570 IAT Level II baseline certification (Sec+ CE or equivalent)
- CND experience (Protect, Detect, Respond and Sustain) within a Computer Incident Response organization. Requires the highest level of understanding and the ability to apply cyber security related principles, theories, and concepts.
- Motivated self-starter with exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated experience briefing and advising Senior Executive Service (SES) and General Officer/Flag Officer (GO/FO) leadership regarding matters of strategic importance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Graduate of the Joint Cyberspace Operations Planning Course.
- Experience with DISA and DoD Networks.
- Advanced Certifications such as SANS GIAC/GCIA/GCIH, CISSP or CASP.
- Demonstrated understanding of the life cycle of network threats, attacks, attack vectors and methods of exploitation with an understanding of intelligence driven defense and or Cyber Kill Chain methodology.
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:September 15, 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 TS/SCI security clearance
- Bachelor’s degree in an IT-related field
- 8+ years of relevant experience, or additional applicable experience in lieu of a degree
- Experience with Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft Office 2013 and SharePoint
- DoD-8570 IAT Level II baseline certification, such as Security+ CE or equivalent
- Computer Network Defense experience across Protect, Detect, Respond, and Sustain functions within a Computer Incident Response organization
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Experience briefing and advising SES and GO/FO leadership on strategically important matters
- Graduate of the Joint Cyberspace Operations Planning Course
- Experience with DISA and DoD networks
- Advanced certification such as SANS GIAC, GCIA, GCIH, CISSP, or CASP
- Understanding of network threats, attacks, attack vectors, exploitation methods, intelligence-driven defense, or Cyber Kill Chain methodology
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.
