Sr. Principal Cyber Operations Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Sr Principal Cyber Operations Planner / Command Watch Officer (CWO) Job Description

This role is responsible for leading and overseeing 24x7 cyber and network operations within a large-scale, mission-critical command and control environment. The Sr Principal Cyber Operations Planner / Command Watch Officer (CWO) serves as the senior operational leader on shift, maintaining situational awareness across enterprise systems, directing cyber defense and network operations activities, and ensuring continuous availability of mission systems supporting global defense operations. The position requires strong leadership, operational decision-making, network operations expertise, and experience managing personnel within high-tempo Department of Defense environments.

• Provide operational leadership and oversight for a 24x7 Command and Control Center (CCC), ensuring mission readiness and disciplined execution of operations.
• Maintain a comprehensive operational picture of enterprise systems, networks, and command-and-control capabilities.
• Monitor and direct operations and maintenance activities for mission-critical systems, communications infrastructure, and enterprise networks.
• Lead network monitoring, cyber defense, and incident response activities to ensure system availability, reliability, and security.
• Make real-time operational decisions and coordinate actions during system outages, cybersecurity events, and mission-impacting incidents.
• Direct personnel in troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues while coordinating escalation to engineering and support teams as required.
• Provide status updates, operational reports, and executive briefings to senior military, government, and contractor leadership.
• Ensure shift personnel are adequately trained, certified, mission-ready, and properly staffed to meet operational requirements.
• Conduct detailed shift turnovers and maintain continuity of operations across all work centers.
• Coordinate closely with operations leaders, government representatives, cybersecurity personnel, and technical teams to manage risks and mission impacts.
• Support the development and refinement of operational procedures, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and operating instructions.
• Oversee execution of command-and-control operations, information sharing, and mission support activities.
• Ensure operational compliance with cybersecurity policies, security procedures, and organizational standards.
• Perform additional duties and assignments as required to support mission success and operational readiness.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience supporting operations, maintenance, or management of large-scale computer, communications, or networking systems.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing operations teams in mission-critical environments.
• Experience with network operations, cyber defense operations, enterprise systems management, and command-and-control environments.
• Strong knowledge of network monitoring, incident management, cyber defense principles, and operational troubleshooting.
• Experience directing teams responsible for Operations & Maintenance (O&M) of complex systems and enterprise infrastructure.
• Ability to analyze operational events, assess impacts, and recommend courses of action to senior leadership.
• Experience briefing technical and operational information to military, government, and executive stakeholders.
• Experience developing or implementing operational procedures, TTPs, and workflow processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Project.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
• Ability and willingness to work rotating 24x7 shifts, including nights, weekends, and holiday coverage as required.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills under time-sensitive operational conditions.

• Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance preferred.
• Experience supporting Missile Defense Agency (MDA), C2BMC, US Space Force, USSTRATCOM, or related defense organizations.
• Experience operating within a Network Operations Center (NOC), Security Operations Center (SOC), Command Center, or Enterprise Operations Center.
• Knowledge of missile defense systems, command-and-control architectures, or space operations environments.
• Familiarity with cyber defense tools, network management platforms, and enterprise monitoring solutions.
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams and resources.
• Background supporting highly available enterprise environments with global mission requirements.
• Understanding of Department of Defense operational procedures and cybersecurity requirements.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple organizations during operational incidents and mission events.
• Proven ability to lead teams during high-stress operational situations.

This is a full-time position supporting a secure, mission-critical defense operations center operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Command Watch Officer serves as the senior operational leader during assigned shifts and is responsible for overseeing personnel, enterprise systems, cybersecurity operations, and mission execution. The environment requires constant situational awareness, rapid decision-making, and close coordination with military, government, and contractor personnel. Work is performed in a secure facility supporting national defense missions and requires handling classified information. The position includes rotating 12-hour shifts, with assignments based on operational needs and mission priorities. Candidates must be capable of working nights, weekends, holidays, and substitute coverage shifts when required to maintain operational continuity.

This is a Permanent position based out of Colorado Springs, CO.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $75.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Colorado Springs,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.