Cyber Forensics and Malware Analyst (CFMA)

Description

Leidos is seeking an experienced Cyber Forensics and Malware Analyst (CFMA) to join our team on a highly visible cyber security single-award IDIQ vehicle that provides Network Operations Security Center (NOSC) support, cyber analysis, application development, and a 24x7x365 support staff.

The CFMA team provided support during core business hours (7am – 7pm), Monday thru Friday. Flexible start times are considered. Participates in rotating on call schedule.

Primary Responsibilities

• Help define requirements and identify gaps for performing remote compromise assessments
• Perform as a senior analyst and liaison between the customer and ESOC while performing remote assessments
• Conduct malware analysis using static and dynamic methodologies (e.g. debuggers [Ollydbg], disassembler [IDA Pro], sandbox execution, etc.)
• Perform forensics threat emulation by proactively testing methods that mimic specific TTPs of real-world adversaries to validate and improve the organization’s detective and preventive controls
• Produce malware reports to disseminate to the watch floor and enterprise
• Capture forensic artifacts such as memory and disk images
• Work with the SIEM team to implement, enhance, or change existing use cases
• Pivot on the forensic data working with the Cyber Threat Intelligence team to determine if the malware is part of a larger campaign, how DHS is being targeted and take any further remediation required
• Lead remote compromise assessments and produce final assessment report
• Perform live box and dead box forensics to identify compromise and attack vector
• Provide input for NOSC improvement and identify visibility gaps for enterprise monitoring
• Deploy and configure network sensors (Suricata), manage Linux VMs (Security Onion, Ubuntu, CentOS), and maintain a small network
• Potentially travel to other DHS locations (1-3 times/year) to support Incident Response investigations
• Develop and maintain SOPs and ROE templates
• Must be able to physically support on-site requirement at Mt. Weather during pre-determined operations as well as ad hoc situations
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• The candidate must currently possess a Top Secret/SCI Clearance with ability to obtain a DHS Entry on Duty (EOD) clearance.
• BS in IT related field and 12 years’ experience in an IT field, or MS in IT related field and 10 years’ experience in an IT Field, with a minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience in incident detection and response, malware analysis, or cyber forensics.
• Of the eight (8) years of professional experience requirements above, Cyber Forensics and Malware Analyst candidates shall have at least one (1) of the following specialized experience for their position:
• Digital Media Forensics Analyst: Candidates shall have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience performing digital media forensic analysis, static malware code disassembly/analysis, and/or runtime malware code analysis.
• Incident Response Analyst: Candidates shall have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience responding to information system security incidents. Ability to use the DHS furnished toolset to identify and determine root causes of incidents and provide any required documentation and possible evidence to security investigators.
  

Must Have At Least One Of The Following Certifications

• Must have one of the following certifications: CASP CE, CCNP-Security, CISA, CISSP (or Associate), GCED, GCIH, CCSP
  
  

Additionally Preferred Certifications Held

• SANS GIAC: GCIA, GCFA, GPEN, GWAPT, GCFE, GREM, GXPN, GMON, GISF
• ISC2: CCFP, CISSP CERT CSIH
• EC Council: CHFI, LPT, ECSA
• Offensive Security: OSCP, OSCE, OSWP and OSEE
• EnCase: EnCE
• Defense Cyber Investigative Training Academy: FTK WFE-FTK, CIRC, WFE-E-CI, FIW
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in supporting malware analysis and forensics in cyber operations, and/or federal law enforcement.
• Understand and utilize Threat Intel Frameworks (e.g. Cyber Kill Chain, MITRE ATT&CK, Diamond Model)
• Network tool (e.g. network tap, IDS sensors, etc) configuration for on-site assessment
• Hands-on experience with EnCase, FTK, EDRs (CrowdStrike, Trellix Tanium), Volatility, Security Onion, Suricata, Gigamon, VMWare ESXi, Splunk
• Signature (e.g. Snort, Yara, Suricata) development/tuning
• Expert knowledge in host-based analysis/forensics
• Proficient in performing timeline analysis and extracting artifacts from digital media
• Experienced reverse engineering and analyzing malware and developing a malware analysis report
• Ability to perform in-depth network forensics
• Develop and implement hunt methodologies for fly away assessments and for the SOC
• Proficient in one more of the following computer languages Python, Bash, Visual Basic or PowerShell to support cyber threat detection or reporting
• Extensive knowledge about network ports and protocols (e.g. TCP/UDP, HTTP, ICMP, DNS, SMTP, etc.)
• Experienced with network topologies and network security devices (e.g. Firewall, IDS/IPS, Proxy, DNS, WAF, etc.)
• Proficient working in a Windows and Linux operating system
• Experience with cloud forensics (e.g. AWS or Azure environments
  
  

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

January 23, 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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay And Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.