Security Operations Center (SOC) Lead

SOC Lead

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Security Operations Center (SOC) Lead to join our team in the greater DMV area, supporting the Army National Guard.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manage day-to-day SOC operations: staffing, shift coverage, case handling, escalation, and incident lifecycle management.
2. Oversee incident coordination with CIRT, NOSC, ARCYBER, USCYBERCOM, and engineering teams; implement playbooks and countermeasures during incidents.
3. Ensure investigative quality: review cases, validate threat analysis, enforce documentation/runbook standards, and oversee evidence preservation.
4. Lead detection engineering efforts: rule/signature/content development, tuning, enrichment, and mapping to MITRE ATT&CK.
5. Maintain continuous monitoring aligned with STIG/IAVM/RMF requirements and ensure SOC support for defensive cyber operations.
6. Develop and maintain SOC SOPs, playbooks, escalation matrices, COOP procedures, and communications plans.
7. Coordinate SOC reporting and notifications to RCC-NG, ARCYBER, USCYBERCOM, and other stakeholders; produce situational awareness products and executive briefings.
8. Drive analyst training, exercises, purple teaming, and tool adoption; mentor Tier II/III analysts and refine workflows/automation.
9. Support audits, inspections, accreditation activities, and evidence preparation for RMF/ATO and related reviews.
10. Monitor SOC KPIs (MTTD, MTTR, case quality, false positive rates) and implement continuous improvement actions.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years with BS/BA; Minimum of 6 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 3 years with PhD
• Clearance: TS/SCI (active)
• Education/Training/Certification: Candidate must meet ONE:
• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or Software Engineering; OR
• Relevant DoD/Military training (e.g., 4C-255N/4C-255S/4C-255A, Cyber Defense Analyst Advanced Playlist); OR
• Relevant certifications (see list below).
• Experience: Progressive cybersecurity experience with 3 years managing SOC operations or equivalent operational leadership in DoD/enterprise SOC environments.
• Demonstrated skills: SOC toolsets (SIEM, SOAR, EDR/XDR), incident handling, threat analysis, detection engineering, COOP operations, RMF/RMF-related reporting, and senior-level briefings.

Acceptable Certifications (one or more preferred)

• CBROPS, CFR, CySA+, GCFA, GCIA, GICSP, or equivalent advanced SOC/forensics/cyber operations certifications

Desired / Preferred

• Prior DoD/Army/ARNG SOC or NOSC experience
• Experience coordinating notifications to ARCYBER/USCYBERCOM and supporting classified enclave monitoring
• Familiarity with automation, SOAR playbooks, threat hunting, and purple team exercises

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$86,000 - $138,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.