Cyber Security Engineer (SME)
Leidos· enterprise· Defense· Oct 14, 2026 · 13d ago
McLean VA
In office
Full-time
Mid
$154K–$278K
Job description
Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for an Cybersecurity Engineer SME in our Intel Sector s (IS) Analysis Solutions Business Area (ASBA) . Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos , we offer competitive benefits , including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!
Job Description
The Cybersecurity Engineer SME is responsible for protecting the customer’s information systems, networks, and infrastructure from cyber threats and vulnerabilities. This role supports the design, implementation, and maintenance of security controls that safeguard mission systems and ensure compliance with applicable cybersecurity policies, standards, and regulatory frameworks.
The Cybersecurity Engineer SME will work closely with Information Systems Security Engineers (ISSEs), Information Systems Security Managers (ISSMs), software developers, systems engineers, and government stakeholders throughout the DevSecOps lifecycle. The candidate will perform a full spectrum of cybersecurity engineering activities, including implementing security technologies, supporting incident response efforts, and ensuring systems meet required security and compliance standards.
Primary Responsibilities:
Plan, implement, manage, monitor, and upgrade security controls and tools used to protect enterprise systems and networks, while identifying opportunities to automate repeatable operations tasks.
Design, configure, implement, troubleshoot, and maintain security technologies such as firewalls (security groups), endpoint protection tools (HBSS/Trellix, Carbon Black EDR), SIEM platforms (Splunk). Monitor system and network security using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools such as Splunk Enterprise Security to detect, analyze, and respond to potential threats or anomalous activity.
Support the investigation and remediation of cybersecurity incidents, including system or network breaches and malware infections. Participate in change management processes to ensure system changes maintain security compliance and do not introduce new vulnerabilities.
Audit systems and configurations to ensure compliance with established cybersecurity policies, standards, and secure configuration baselines.
Collaborate with engineering, development, and operations teams to integrate security controls into DevSecOps pipelines and system architectures.
Continuously monitor security advisories, bulletins, and industry threat intelligence to stay informed of current vulnerabilities, threats, and trends. Assist with the implementation and enforcement of secure system configurations and cybersecurity compliance requirements.
Support vulnerability management activities by reviewing scan results, assessing risk, and coordinating remediation efforts with system owners and technical teams.
Basic Qualifications:
MS degree and 15 or more years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
Must have an active TS/SCI with a Polygraph, to be considered.
Experience implementing and managing Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools such as Splunk or similar platforms. Experience working with endpoint and network security technologies, including IDS/IPS, HBSS/Trellix or Carbon Black EDR, and related defensive security tools.
Experience reviewing and analyzing cybersecurity event logs to identify indicators of compromise or suspicious activity. Experience supporting incident response plans, vulnerability management programs, risk management plans, and Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms).
Experience conducting or supporting technical cybersecurity assessments and security audits. Experience identifying system vulnerabilities and instances of non-compliance with cybersecurity standards and regulatory requirements. Experience collaborating with DevSecOps teams to review vulnerability scan results and support remediation of findings.
Experience supporting the Risk Management Framework (RMF) authorization process by reviewing security documentation and providing risk-based recommendations to stakeholders regarding system risk posture as part of Authority to Operate (ATO) activities. Manage and track Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) for customer-sponsored systems, coordinating with key stakeholders including ISSOs, ISSEs, ISSMs, and Security Control Assessors (SCAs)
Experience applying system security engineering principles in areas such as system security design, lifecycle engineering, authentication and authorization mechanisms, cryptography, intrusion detection, contingency planning, incident handling, auditing, configuration management, and change control.
Professional cybersecurity certifications such as Security , CISSP, CySA , CEH, or GCIH.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with cybersecurity tools such as Rapid7, Tenable/Nessus, HBSS/Trellix, SonarQube, Fortify, Chainguard, or endpoint detection and response (EDR) platforms, as well as using STIG viewers and compliance tools to assess systems against established security configuration baselines.
Experience implementing and managing network and application firewalls, incident detection platforms, and digital forensic tools.
Experience with automation tools such as Ansible or CloudFormation to support infrastructure and security automation. Experience with Agile software development environments and scripting/programming languages such as Python or PowerShell. (e.g., React).
Familiarity with cloud computing environments, including AWS, Oracle Cloud, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Experience with system monitoring and health tools such as SolarWinds.
Experience working with DevSecOps pipelines and CI/CD security tools.
Experience administering or securing systems in Linux environments (Red Hat).
#CABARESTON
#ASBA
#HALO
#HALOincumbents
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 14, 2026
For 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.
Pay Range: Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00
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.
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Benefits
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401k
Pto
Paid Time Off