Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) Engineer

Description

Leidos is seeking a skilled Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) Engineer, to manage and maintain the agency's network infrastructure. This role focuses on operating Network IDS platforms such as Snort 3.x, developing detection signatures, and supporting Security Operations through proactive threat detection and analysis.

If this sounds like a mission you want to be a part of, keep reading!

TEAM CULTURE

Your passion and values might be a good fit for our teams if you answer "yes" to the following questions :

Are you looking for a company that puts employees first, with a focus on career, flexibility, and well-being?

Do you enjoy collaborating with colleagues and teammates and believe that the best ideas are fostered in an inclusive environment?

Are you searching for a team with a strong sense of ownership, urgency, and drive for daily mission success?

Are you comfortable with proactive outward communication and technical leadership?

Do you enjoy being a catalyst, solving complex problems, and providing innovative solutions?

Do you have the flexibility, creativity, and resilience to pivot the mission for success?

Do you have the courage to make tough ethical decisions with pride, transparency, and respect?

MENTORSHIP & CAREER GROWTH

Our teams are dedicated to supporting new team members in an environment that celebrates knowledge sharing and mentorship. Experienced team members will be assigned to new hires for one-on-one mentoring, collaborative reviews, and coaching on customer engagement to help each new hire successfully onboard and demonstrate their skills. Projects and tasks are assigned in a way that leverages your strengths and will help you further develop your skillset.

DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

Every position we take is more rewarding when you know the why behind it.Know your work makes a difference to support those who need it most. If your passion is enabling life changing service to those around, you this is the place for you. Find you passion in a team environment where all members are valued regardless of contractor or employee status. Find your "Why" with us and take your place in our Leidos Family!!

We are seeking a highly skilled Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) Engineer with strong expertise in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)to install, configure, and manage Snort-based intrusion detection and prevention systems across enterprise networks. The ideal candidate will be a proactive individual who can thrive in a dynamic security environment, respond to evolving threats, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams while working both independently and as part of an Agile team structure.

FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS ( Basic Qualifications )

3+ years of experience in network security or intrusion detection

Demonstrated experience with Snort 3.x or similar IDS / IPS platforms

Proficiency with Unix / Linux operating systems

Experience writing detection signatures (Snort, YARA, or similar)

Strong understanding of TCP / IP networking and common attack vectors

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Self-Starter : Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and drive initiatives forward

Communication : Clear written and oral communication skills appropriate for professional

environments

Agile Methodology : Familiarity with Agile frameworks and iterative development practices

Problem-Solving : Analytical mindset with strong troubleshooting capabilities

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust. Contract requirement. (DO NOT REMOVE)

• Selected candidate must be willing to work on-site in Woodlawn, MD 5 days a week.

FACTORS TO HELP YOU SHINE ( Required Skills )

These skills will help you succeed in this position :

IDS Platform Management

Manage, configure, and maintain Snort 3.x servers and applications

Monitor and optimize network intrusion detection platform performance

Ensure high availability and reliability of IDS infrastructure

Perform system updates, patches, and upgrades as needed

Signature Development & Maintenance

Create, test, and maintain YARA signatures for malware detection

Develop and tune Snort rules to detect emerging threats

Utilize regular expressions to build effective detection patterns

Analyze false positives and refine signatures for accuracy

Security Operations Support

Collaborate with Security Operations team on threat detection and response

Provide technical expertise on IDS alerts and network security events

Participate in incident response activities when network intrusions are detected

Document procedures, configurations, and security findings

System Administration

Execute Unix / Linux command line operations for IDS and security tool management

Automate routine tasks through scripting and configuration management

Troubleshoot system and application issues independently

Maintain system logs and audit trails

HOW TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD (Desired Skills)

Showcase your knowledge of modern development through the following experience or skills :

Industry certifications such as GCIA, GCIH, Security+, or CEH

Experience with SIEM platforms and log analysis tools

Knowledge of threat intelligence feeds and integration

Scripting skills (Python, Bash, or PowerShell)

Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)

Understanding of DevSecOps practices

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams and contribute to our communities. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Every position we take is more rewarding when you know the why behind it.Know your work makes a difference to support those who need it most. If your passion is enabling life changing service to those around, you this is the place for you. Find your passion in a team environment where all members are valued regardless of contractor or employee status. We are excited for you to take your place in our Leidos Family.

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 : November 17, 2025

For U.S. Positions : While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range :

Pay Range $85,150.00 - $153,925.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com .

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com / careers / pay-benefits .

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos' name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com .

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission () .

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

REQNUMBER : R-00170649

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Leidos will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in accordance with relevant Laws. Leidos is an equal opportunity employer / disability / vet.