Defensive Cyberspace Operations Advisor - Subject Matter Expert (SME)

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Defensive Cyberspace Operations Advisor – Subject Matter Expert (SME) based in the United States.

Support a critical U.S. Government advisory mission focused on strengthening allied and partner-nation cyber defense capabilities across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. As a Defensive Cyberspace Operations Advisor, you will assess operational readiness, cybersecurity processes, organizational structures, and institutional gaps to help partners build sustainable defensive cyber capabilities. You will provide strategic and technical guidance on integrating defensive cyberspace operations into joint and all-domain military planning, mission assurance, and defense operations. Working alongside defense management, governance, and joint operations advisors, you will translate complex assessments into actionable recommendations, capability development priorities, and institutional improvement roadmaps. This part-time opportunity combines remote advisory work from the continental United States with periodic international engagements. It is ideal for an experienced cyber defense professional with military or defense-sector expertise who wants to contribute to partner-nation readiness, resilience, and operational effectiveness.

Accountabilities

Assess partner-nation defensive cyberspace operations capabilities, operational processes, organizational structures, and overall readiness to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
Evaluate the integration of defensive cyberspace operations into joint and all-domain operational planning, mission assurance activities, and broader defense strategies.
Examine the development, organization, training, and employment of defensive cyber teams, including institutional processes required to sustain operational capabilities.
Analyze cyber defense missions, authorities, command relationships, operational responsibilities, incident response procedures, and coordination mechanisms across relevant defense organizations.
Evaluate the ability to detect, analyze, respond to, and recover from malicious cyberspace activities affecting defense networks, information systems, and operational missions.
Review defensive cyber planning, cyber protection activities, operational readiness, training programs, exercises, workforce requirements, and capability development priorities.
Identify operational, organizational, technical, workforce, policy, and resource gaps that limit the partner nation's ability to conduct effective and sustained defensive cyberspace operations.
Design and facilitate cyber mission-area assessments, scenario-based discussions, exercises, and institutional decision-making activities that support defense management and capability planning assessments.
Develop evidence-based assessment findings, practical capability improvement options, and measurable performance indicators to guide institutional development and implementation.
Contribute to the development and refinement of cyber policy, doctrine, operational concepts, and institutional processes that strengthen partner-nation cyber defense capabilities.
Translate assessment results into actionable recommendations and improvement roadmaps that align cyber defense priorities with strategic objectives and operational requirements.
Coordinate findings and recommendations with governance, joint operations, and defense management advisors to ensure cyber requirements are integrated into broader defense planning and capability decisions.
Provide subject matter expertise during remote advisory activities and periodic overseas engagements, supporting partner-nation institutions in developing sustainable cyber defense capabilities.
Requirements
At least seven years of professional experience in defensive cyberspace operations, cybersecurity operations, cyber operations, military cyberspace planning, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated experience in cyber defense, incident response, threat-informed defense, mission assurance, or the protection of defense networks and information systems.
Strong understanding of defensive cyberspace operations principles, operational planning processes, cyber mission integration, and military or defense-sector operational environments.
Ability to assess cyber defense capabilities, organizational structures, command relationships, authorities, operational procedures, and institutional readiness.
Experience identifying capability gaps and developing practical recommendations to improve operational effectiveness, cyber resilience, and mission assurance.
Familiarity with cyber incident detection, analysis, response, recovery, and the processes required to protect mission-critical defense systems.
Ability to evaluate cyber training, exercises, workforce development, capability generation, and sustainment requirements.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to conduct structured assessments, facilitate scenario-based discussions, and develop evidence-based findings.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear assessments, communicate complex technical concepts, and present recommendations to military, government, and institutional stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary advisory teams and align technical cyber defense requirements with broader defense governance, planning, and capability development priorities.
Strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and advisory skills, with the ability to work effectively in complex, multinational, and culturally diverse environments.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality advisory outputs within a part-time engagement structure.
Willingness and ability to support remote work from the continental United States and participate in periodic overseas engagements as required by the advisory mission.
Benefits
Flexible part-time engagement: Workload varies according to the advisory mission and travel schedule, allowing for a flexible professional commitment.
Remote work: Complete routine advisory activities remotely from within the continental United States.
International engagement opportunities: Participate in periodic overseas assignments supporting partner-nation cyber defense development.
Strategic mission impact: Contribute directly to strengthening allied and partner-nation cyber resilience, military readiness, and defensive operational capabilities.
Senior-level advisory experience: Apply specialized expertise to complex defense challenges involving cyber policy, doctrine, operational planning, and institutional development.
Cross-functional collaboration: Work alongside defense governance, joint operations, and defense management advisors on integrated capability improvement initiatives.
Professional contribution: Help shape practical recommendations, institutional roadmaps, and sustainable cyber defense practices.
Expected workload and travel:
Non-travel months: Approximately 20–30 hours of remote support per month.
International engagement months: Approximately 80–100 hours of work per month.
Travel frequency: Anticipated overseas engagements approximately quarterly, with initial travel expected in January 2027.
Availability: Immediate availability is requested.