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Exploitation Specialist

Leidos

Listing collected from Leidos's career site. NextChapter is independent of Leidos.

Reston, VA · Posted November 6, 2026

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Leidos has filed 4 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 404 workers, most recently September 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings

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About the job

Media Exploitation Specialist (Open Source Intelligence | Emerging Technologies)

The Mission Support Operation is seeking experienced Media Exploitation Specialists to support an Intelligence Community (IC) customer in the National Capital Region (NCR) through an open-source services contract.

This role focuses on collecting, evaluating, processing, and enriching open-source and emerging technology information to support intelligence requirements and identify actionable insights. Candidates will conduct research, assess validated sources, analyze trends, create and maintain structured data, synthesize findings, and produce high-quality intelligence reports in accordance with customer standards and data management plans.

Key Highlights

✅ Location: National Capital Region (NCR) ✅ Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph ✅ Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship Required ✅ Focus Areas: Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), Emerging Technologies, AI, GenAI, LLMs, Quantum Computing, Telecommunications, Energy, and Advanced Computing

Primary Responsibilities

Open Source Collection & Research

Monitor, evaluate, and exploit internet-based media and open-source information related to emerging technologies.

Conduct comprehensive open-source research, source discovery, and source assessments .

Identify and analyze emerging trends, patterns, relationships, and developments relevant to customer missions.

Analysis & Intelligence Production

Collect, analyze, synthesize, and summarize qualitative and quantitative information .

Produce timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence products .

Apply analytical methodologies to identify: Significant trends Information reliability Strategic insights Mission impacts

Emerging Technology Expertise

Research and evaluate developments in:

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

Large Language Models (LLMs)

Quantum Computing

Telecommunications

Energy & Energy Storage

Semiconductors

Data Centers

Financial Technology (FinTech)

Rare Earth Minerals

Other mission-critical technology sectors

Data Management & Reporting

Develop and maintain structured datasets and research baselines .

Ensure information is: Accurate Consistent Accessible Compliant with customer data management plans

Prepare and publish: Intelligence assessments Open-source intelligence reports Analytical summaries Customer-directed research products

Customer Support & Collaboration

Respond to customer-directed collection and research requirements.

Collaborate with customer stakeholders and team members.

Communicate findings and address intelligence gaps.

Maintain awareness of: Evolving mission priorities Emerging threats Technological developments

Required Clearance

Must Have

Active TS/SCI Clearance with Polygraph

U.S. Citizenship

Basic Qualifications

Education & Experience

Requires a bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) related field with 8 – 12 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 6 – 10 years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of

8 – 12 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 6 – 10 years of prior relevant experience.

3+ years of demonstrated experience conducting research, evaluating sources, analyzing information, synthesizing findings, and producing written reports in accordance with established standards, or equivalent education or training in a relevant discipline.

Technical Knowledge

Strong knowledge of:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Generative AI (GenAI)

Large Language Models (LLMs)

Advanced Computing

Global Media Environments

Emerging technology trends and developments

OSINT & Digital Research

Experience with:

Open-source intelligence gathering

Social media exploitation

Digital media research

Publicly available information analysis

Source discovery and validation

Research Tools

Web scraping tools

Advanced internet search methodologies

Boolean search logic

Digital information discovery techniques

Professional Skills

Ability to work both independently and within embedded customer teams

Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities

Excellent organizational and time-management skills

High attention to detail

Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Communication Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to communicate: Research findings Intelligence assessments Complex technical information Strategic recommendations

Preferred Qualifications

Highly Desired Experience

Experience supporting the Open Source Enterprise (OSE) environment

Experience researching and analyzing emerging technology topics

Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, user-friendly communications

Strong analytical writing and editing skills

AI & Advanced Technology Experience

Experience with:

Large Language Models (LLMs)

Generative AI tools

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

AI-assisted user experiences

Software Proficiency

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Intermediate to advanced proficiency preferred

Collaboration & Leadership

Experience working across multiple organizations, offices, and agencies

Strong interpersonal skills

Demonstrated success in dynamic, team-oriented environments

Ability to effectively organize and prioritize competing requirements

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate combines:

Strong OSINT and research expertise

Knowledge of emerging technologies and AI

Experience producing intelligence-quality written products

Advanced analytical and critical-thinking skills

TS/SCI Poly clearance

A passion for understanding how emerging technologies impact national security and intelligence missions

Top Keywords

OSINT | Media Exploitation | Intelligence Analysis | Emerging Technologies | AI | GenAI | LLMs | Quantum Computing | Research | Data Analysis | Open Source Enterprise | Technical Writing | TS/SCI Poly

#MSBA

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 6, 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 $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

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