Watch Operator – Intermediate

Watch Operator – Intermediate

K ’s National Security Solutions team provides high‑end engineering and advanced technology solutions to customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.

• Innovative Projects: K ’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.
• Collaborative Environment: A dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
• Impactful Work:
  Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

This is a contingent position based upon contract award. K  is seeking an Intermediate level Watch Operator responsible for overseeing real‑time monitoring and operational support for mission‑critical systems in a 24/7 environment. The role involves advanced analysis of operational data, proactive identification of potential issues, and coordination of incident response activities. The specialist will ensure accurate reporting, maintain operational continuity, and provide guidance to junior team members during complex events.

Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure are essential. This position offers the opportunity to lead operational improvements and contribute to the resilience and security of enterprise systems. It is performed full‑time on site at a government facility and is contingent upon contract award.

• Monitor and analyze operational systems, dashboards, and alerts to ensure continuous availability and performance.
• Identify, investigate, and elevate anomalies, outages, or security incidents according to established protocols.
• Lead incident triage and coordinate with technical teams for timely resolution of complex issues.
• Maintain accurate documentation of events, actions taken, and system status updates.
• Provide situational awareness reports and briefings to leadership during operational events.
• Mentor and assist junior watch specialists in troubleshooting and escalation procedures.
• Participate in shift handovers and ensure continuity of operations across watch teams.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of standard operating procedures and best practices.
• Operate within a 24/7 shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Education & Experience:
  
  Master’s degree and 7 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise; OR Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of relevant experience; OR No degree and 10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with operational monitoring tools, dashboards, and incident management systems.
• Proven ability to manage and resolve complex operational issues in a high‑pressure environment.
• Familiarity with incident response frameworks and escalation procedures.
• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance with adjudicated polygraph.

• Prior experience in a leadership role within a Network Operations Center (NOC), Security Operations Center (SOC), or similar watch floor environment.
• Advanced knowledge of IT infrastructure components (servers, networks, cloud services) and their operational dependencies.
• Exposure to cybersecurity principles and practices in a mission‑critical operational setting.

K  may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation for certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may include a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, short‑term incentives, long‑term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Ready to make a difference? If you are excited about working in space defense and contributing to meaningful projects, we encourage you to apply and join our team at K .

Belong, Connect, and Grow at K . K  is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.