Junior Offensive Cyber Engineer

Leidos is seeking an Offensive Cyber Engineer to join our team in Lawton, OK. In this entry-level role, you will assist in conducting technical security assessments, supporting penetration testing activities, and collaborating with detection engineering and defensive teams (CEMA Resiliency System) to improve organizational threat detection.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assisting in developing basic automation scripts and custom proof-of-concept exploits based on identified vulnerabilities.
• Supporting senior engineers in executing penetration tests, vulnerability assessments, and network protocol analyses across enterprise and government environments.
• Collaborating with the CEMA Resiliency System (CRS) team and detection engineering teams to understand how offensive findings translate into defensive detection rules.
• Participating in operational testing events and support real-world validation of security tools and exploits.
• Researching and review technical documentation, security classification guides, and system architectures alongside senior staff.
• Contributing to after-action reports, technical documentation, and remediation recommendations for security stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Foundational knowledge of Linux distributions (e.g., Kali, Parrot, Ubuntu) and Windows operating systems.
• Basic scripting or programming ability (e.g., Python, Bash, or PowerShell).
• Foundational understanding of computer networking principles (TCP/IP, routing, common ports/protocols) and core cybersecurity concepts.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and continuous learning mindset.
• Willingness to work on-site in Lawton, OK (or relocate prior to start date) and travel to testing events as required.
• US citizenship required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications: Entry-level or foundational cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CompTIA PenTest+, eJPT, PNPT, CEH, GIAC GSEC, or active progress toward OSCP).
• Hands-On Lab/Competition Experience: Participation in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions, Hack The Box, TryHackMe, or university cyber defense/attack teams.
• Tool Familiarity: Academic, lab, or internship experience with security tools (e.g., Nmap, Wireshark, Burp Suite, Metasploit).
• Reverse Engineering / Systems: Coursework or exposure to binary analysis, assembly language, or basic reverse engineering.
• Modern Environments: Academic exposure or basic understanding of cloud environments (AWS, Azure) and version control systems (Git).
• Communication: Ability to document technical steps clearly and present findings to technical peers.
• Previous DoW experience.

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:

Pay Range:

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.