Cyber Operations Lead and SOC Liaison

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an experienced cyber security professional to serve as our Internal Cyber Operations Lead and SOC Liaison (Information Security Staff V). In this critical role, you will act as the primary bridge between our Security Operations Center (SOC) and internal business units, ensuring seamless coordination of cyber operations, incident response, and threat management activities. You will be responsible for translating technical security operations into actionable intelligence for stakeholders, coordinating cross-functional cyber defense initiatives, and enhancing our organization's overall security posture through effective communication and operational excellence. You will join a team of dedicated cybersecurity professionals who are chartered with securing Aerospace's classified and unclassified enterprise IT environments and viewed as leaders within the aerospace community.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in Chantilly, VA.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading coordination efforts between the SOC and internal business units to ensure timely communication of security events, incidents, and operational priorities
• Managing internal cyber operations initiatives, including threat hunting activities, security monitoring enhancements, and defensive countermeasure implementations
• Serving as the primary point of contact for escalated security incidents requiring cross-functional coordination and executive communication
• Translating technical SOC findings and threat intelligence into executive-level briefings and actionable recommendations for business stakeholders
• Coordinating incident response activities across multiple teams, ensuring proper documentation, communication, and lessons learned processes
• Developing and maintaining operational playbooks, standard operating procedures, and communication protocols between the SOC and internal teams
• Facilitating regular operational meetings to review security metrics, incident trends, threat landscape updates, and operational improvements
• Collaborating with IT operations, infrastructure teams, and business units to ensure security requirements are integrated into operational processes
• Managing the lifecycle of security events from detection through resolution, ensuring proper stakeholder engagement and documentation
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of SOC capabilities through feedback loops, process optimization, and technology recommendations
• Remaining informed on trends and issues in the security operations industry, including current and emerging threats, tools, and best practices

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Information Security Staff V include:

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems or equivalent field of study, or equivalent experience is required
• A minimum of (7) years of relevant experience in cybersecurity operations, incident response, or SOC environments is required
• Demonstrated experience working directly with or within a Security Operations Center
• Strong understanding of security operations workflows, including event triage, incident response, and threat intelligence integration
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams during security incidents and operational initiatives
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical security concepts for non-technical audiences
• Experience with security information and event management (SIEM) platforms and security orchestration tools
• Knowledge of incident response frameworks (NIST CSF, SANS Incident Response, etc.)
• Understanding of threat intelligence sources, indicators of compromise (IOCs), and threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Experience documenting operational processes, incident reports, and executive briefings
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain Secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Experience managing or leading SOC operations or cyber defense teams
• Relevant certifications such as GCIH, GCIA, GCFA, CISSP, or equivalent
• Hands-on experience with threat hunting methodologies and tools
• Experience with security automation and orchestration (SOAR) platforms
• Background in both classified and unclassified enterprise environments
• Experience developing and delivering security awareness training for operational teams
• Familiarity with MITRE ATT&CK framework and its application in defensive operations
• Experience with cloud security operations (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Track record of implementing process improvements that enhanced SOC efficiency or detection capabilities
• Experience with metrics development and security operations reporting
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience briefing senior leadership and executives
• A current and active Secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, is strongly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)
$152,000.00 - $228,000.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan - Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other-the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .