Digital Media Forensics SME

Description

Digital Media Forensics Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Leidos - Defense Sector

Location - Fort Meade MD

Leidos is seeking an accomplished Digital Media Forensics SME to join our highperforming team supporting critical national security missions. In this role, you will apply deep technical expertise, investigative acumen, and operational judgment to drive complex forensic examinations and strengthen the nation's cyber defense posture. This position is ideal for a seasoned professional who thrives at the intersection of digital forensics, cyber operations, and missionfocused innovation.

What You'll Do

As a Digital Media Forensics SME, you will play a central role in supporting sensitive national security investigations and advancing forensic tradecraft across the enterprise. Your responsibilities will include:

Mission & Operational Support

• Conduct fullspectrum digital media forensic examinations, including onsite and offsite evidence acquisition, imaging, analysis, and reporting.
• Ensure strict adherence to chainofcustody procedures and all applicable rules of evidence.
• Provide expert operational security assessments and support cyber forensic and cybersecurity activities across diverse mission environments.

Technical Leadership & Innovation

• Research, evaluate, and integrate emerging forensic technologies, tools, and methodologies.
• Design and deploy advanced forensic workflows to enhance investigative effectiveness and mission readiness.
• Lead the development of new capabilities to address evolving threats and digital exploitation challenges.

Training, Mentorship & Collaboration

• Develop, deliver, and lead training events for government and mission partners.
• Mentor junior analysts and contribute to the growth of organizational forensic expertise.
• Collaborate with crossfunctional teams to support complex investigations and multiagency operations.

Required Education & Experience

Candidates must meet one of the following experience pathways, with recent experience (within the last 2 years) in digital forensics:

• High School Diploma + 20 years of relevant experience
• Associate's Degree + 17 years of relevant experience
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree + 15 years of relevant experience

Required Certifications & Technical Qualifications

To be considered, candidates must possess:

• DoD Certified Digital Forensic Examiner (DFE). Candidates who do not have a DFE must obtain one within 12 months after being hired.
• Minimum 2 years of hostbased forensic experience
• At least one additional digital forensic certification , such as:
  • Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)
  • GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)
  • EnCase Certified Examiner
• Minimum 2 years of mobile device forensics experience

Required Security Clearance:

• Current Top Secret SCI security clearance .
• If required ; successful pass a polygraph after being hired.

What Sets You Apart

• Proven ability to perform complex forensic examinations in highstakes environments
• Strong understanding of digital evidence handling, exploitation techniques, and investigative workflows
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences
• Commitment to mission, integrity, and excellence in support of national security operations

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: February 24, 2026

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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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

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

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

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.

Required

Preferred

Job Industries

• Other