Job at a glance
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. Responsibilities 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. Essential Skills 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