SIGINT Network Analyst (NR-3)

Security clearance required: TS/SCI with Polygraph.

About the role

The SIGINT Network Analyst will support mission-critical SIGINT operations by analyzing complex communications networks, researching network protocols, and enabling advanced collection capabilities across enterprise and mission environments.

Responsibilities

• Identify, characterize, and troubleshoot IP and non-IP network communications to support intelligence collection and protocol exploitation efforts.
• Analyze packet captures and communications data using protocol analysis tools such as Wireshark, Renoir, DVT, or similar applications to identify network behavior, diagnose protocol issues, and support collection requirements.
• Research telecommunications standards, including IETF RFCs and ITU-T recommendations, to understand protocol implementations and develop technical solutions for complex communications challenges.
• Utilize repositories such as XKEYSCORE, BLACKPEARL, NKB, DX, or similar data repositories to conduct technical analysis and support intelligence missions.
• Operate collection front-end systems including AST-557, Packet Raptor, AST-128, or equivalent platforms to support data collection, troubleshoot collection issues, and optimize mission performance.
• Develop basic automation scripts using Python, Perl, or similar scripting languages to process network data, automate repetitive analysis tasks, and improve analytical workflows.
• Work closely with signals analysts, protocol analysts, software developers, hardware engineers, and intelligence analysts to communicate technical findings, develop collection requirements, and support mission success.

Requirements

• At least nine (9) years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Information Systems, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline. Additional experience may be substituted for a degree in accordance with contract requirements.
• Experience analyzing IP and non-IP network communications and telecommunications protocols.
• Experience using packet analysis tools such as Wireshark, Renoir, DVT, or equivalent protocol analysis tools.
• Experience researching and applying telecommunications standards, including IETF RFCs and ITU-T recommendations.
• Experience diagnosing network protocols using packet captures and protocol analysis tools.
• Experience working with repositories such as XKEYSCORE, BLACKPEARL, NKB, DX, or similar data repositories.
• Experience operating collection front-end systems such as AST-557, Packet Raptor, AST-128, or equivalent collection platforms.
• Basic scripting experience using Python, Perl, or equivalent languages for data processing and automation.
• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to communicate technical findings and collection requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, software developers, signals analysts, protocol analysts, and intelligence analysts.

Skills

• Supporting SIGINT missions (desired).
• Communications protocol exploitation and network protocol analysis (desired).
• Supporting collection development or collection management activities (desired).
• Knowledge of cellular, satellite, wireless, or proprietary telecommunications protocols (desired).
• Developing scripts or automation tools for packet analysis or data processing (desired).
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems and command-line analysis tools (desired).
• Experience working within mission environments (desired).

Pay

Salary range: $170,000–$190,000, depending on experience.

Benefits

• Individual and family health, vision, and dental benefits.
• Minimum of four (4) weeks of paid time off, including a week of sick leave.
• 11 federal holidays.
• 401(k) employer match with no vesting schedule.
• Opportunity to earn referral benefits or bank hours if the contract allows.

About the company

Legato, LLC is a dynamic small business headquartered in Columbia, near Ft. Meade, MD. Our positions include Cyber, Software, Systems, Networking, Data Science, and other complex engineering capabilities. We set ourselves apart by having employees in the top of their field who enjoy working at Legato for its attention to its employees, aggressive compensation, and upward mobility possibilities.