Cybersecurity & Defensive Cyber Analyst

We Are The NRO

For over sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America's advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space‑based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

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• U.S. Citizenship is required
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• You will be subject to preemployment and periodic drug testing
• You will be subject to preemployment and periodic polygraph examinations

Do you have experience in cybersecurity, threat analysis, and incident response? Are you passionate about protecting critical intelligence systems from cyber threats? Does analyzing and responding to security incidents for space‑based reconnaissance systems interest you? If so, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is looking for you!

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes via a continuous announcement for consideration against current and future opportunities for full performance level (GG 11‑13) Cybersecurity & Defensive Cyber Analysts, occupational series 2210.

For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, .

This position focuses on the following DoD 8140 Work Roles:

• Systems Security Analyst (461)
• Defense Cyber Analyst (511)
• Cyber Defense Incident Responder (531)
• Software Developer (621)
• Secure Software Assessor (622)
• Security Architect (652)

This is a full‑time position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

• This position is open to the public.
• Federal government employees must currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• This position does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

Cybersecurity & Defensive Cyber Analysts should have experience in applying IT principles, concepts, methods, and standards to accomplish assignments such as:

• Analyzing and developing the integration, testing, operations, and maintenance of systems security
• Using data collected from a variety of cyber defense tools to analyze events for the purposes of mitigating threats
• Investigating, analyzing, and responding to cyber incidents within the network environment
• Developing, creating, maintaining, and writing/coding new or modifying existing computer applications
• Analyzing the security of new or existing computer applications and providing actionable results
• Designing enterprise and systems security throughout the development lifecycle
• Translating technology and environmental conditions into security designs and processes
• Providing expert technical advice on cybersecurity matters
• Developing and interpreting policies and procedures for cyber defense
• Making decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important agency cybersecurity policies

• Highly desired:
  Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution
• Minimum of 3 years of specialized experience in systems security analysis, cyber defense, incident response, software development, or security architecture
• Experience with the interrelationships of multiple IT specialties
• Understanding of an organization's IT architecture
• Knowledge of new IT developments and applications
• Strong knowledge of IT security concepts, standards, and methods
• Experience with project management principles, methods, and practices

Specialized experience is defined as experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above.
Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two‑page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025,…