Leidos is seeking multiple SCA-R Validators to assess programs’ security posture and develop reports and recommendations for improvement. These positions can be based out of any of our three locations - Alexandria, VA, Fort Meade, MD, or Chambersburg, PA. These positions are primarily on-site. Some travel may be required to support our assessment team, up to 50% of the time. Per diem is provided while on travel.
Maximum starting salary for this position is $107,500.
Responsibilities:
- Use government-assigned tools to perform weekly updates, maintain records, and complete tasks.
- Coordinate with ISSMs and PMOs to understand mission and business functions, security architecture, deployment locations, and planned and projected architectural and functional changes of assigned systems.
- Conduct cybersecurity assessments, risk analyses (operational and technical) and authorization tasks across all RMF steps using approved RE5 tools and processes.
- Verify authorization boundaries and categorize systems (FIPS199).
- Identify data classifications and conduct system-level risk assessments.
- Track system changes, assess impacts, and report updates to the AO.
- Evaluate authorization and change requests, web filtering, firewall exceptions, ports/protocols, cybersecurity risks, STIG/SRG compliance, and on-site security.
- Lead assessment visits, conduct briefings, and ensure proper documentation and reporting.
- Attend required government training and meetings to stay updated on process changes.
- Maintain access and proficiency in required government databases and cybersecurity tools.
- Assess threats, vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risk for systems and compile findings into timely authorization packages to determine countermeasures and residual risk.
- Support assigned systems throughout their lifecycle in alignment with FISMA requirements.
- Submit weekly activity reports summarizing tasks, tracking IDs, and key updates.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree (IT-related field preferred) and eight (8) years of cybersecurity or network security experience. Additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility required
- Current DoD 8570 IAM II or IAT II certification
- Five (5) years of experience in a Certification and Accreditation/A&A role
- Demonstrated experience with STIGs (Security Technical Implementation Guides), Security Requirement Guides (SRGs), Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) and cybersecurity best practices
- Advanced understanding of the RMF process, NIST SP 800- 37, NIST SP 800-53, CNSSI 1253
- Demonstratable experience in risk analysis, control validation, and as a Security Control Assessor Representative (SCA-R).
- Demonstrated experience with relevant tools such as eMASS, STIG Viewer, Nessus, ACAS, SCAP, or HBSS
- Advanced understanding of key technologies areas/domain such as: Network, Mobility, Windows, UNIX, Cloud Environments and Cloud Native Tools/Services, Host Based Security System (HBSS)/Endpoint Security Solutions (ESS), Databases, Applications
- Customer service skills
- Ability and willingness to travel for assessments as required
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:May 27, 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
- Bachelor's degree (IT-related field preferred)
- Eight (8) years of cybersecurity or network security experience
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
- Current DoD 8570 IAM II or IAT II certification
- Five (5) years of experience in a Certification and Accreditation/A&A role
- Demonstrated experience with STIGs, SRGs, POA&Ms, cybersecurity best practices
- Advanced understanding of the RMF process, NIST SP 800-37, NIST SP 800-53, CNSSI 1253
- Demonstratable experience in risk analysis, control validation, SCA-R
- Demonstrated experience with eMASS, STIG Viewer, Nessus, ACAS, SCAP, HBSS
- Advanced understanding of key technologies areas like Network, Mobility, Windows, UNIX, Cloud
- Customer service skills
- Willingness to travel for assessments
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.
