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Commander Jobs in Maryland (NOW HIRING)

Strategic Technology Institute Inc,

$103K - $124K/yr

Nuclear Command, Control & Communications (NC3) SME Location: Washington, DC Clearance: Active TS/SCI Required *Contingent on Contract Award Overview STi is seeking an NC3 SME to support Air Force ...

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Commander information

See Maryland salary details

$71.8K

$156.7K

$248K

How much do commander jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for commander in Maryland is $156,720.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,300.00 and $184,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a commander?

To thrive as a Commander, you need extensive leadership experience, strategic planning abilities, and a solid background in military operations, usually supported by advanced military education and officer commissioning. Familiarity with command and control systems, military communication tools, and operational planning software is essential. Exceptional decision-making, situational awareness, and the ability to inspire and manage personnel are key soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for effective mission execution, maintaining unit cohesion, and ensuring operational success under pressure.

What is the difference between Commander vs Pilot?

AspectCommanderPilot
Required CredentialsMilitary or specialized training, certifications depending on contextCommercial or private pilot license, FAA certifications
Work EnvironmentMilitary operations, ships, or aircraft command settingsAircraft operation, airlines, private flights
Industry UsageMilitary, maritime, aviationAviation, transportation

The main difference is that a Commander typically refers to a leadership role overseeing operations in military, maritime, or aviation contexts, requiring specialized training and certifications. A Pilot, on the other hand, is primarily responsible for flying aircraft and holds specific licenses. While both roles are involved in aviation or maritime industries, Commanders focus on leadership and strategic oversight, whereas Pilots focus on aircraft operation.

What is a commander?

Commanders are high-ranking officers in military, naval, or law enforcement organizations who are responsible for leading and managing units, missions, or operations. They oversee personnel, develop strategies, make critical decisions, and ensure the effective execution of orders and objectives. Commanders are expected to demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, often working under significant pressure. Their specific duties can vary depending on the branch of service and the size of the unit they command.

What are some common challenges faced by a commander in coordinating large teams or units?

Commanders often manage diverse teams with varying skill levels, backgrounds, and responsibilities. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across all levels, especially in high-pressure or rapidly changing situations. Additionally, balancing strategic decision-making with the welfare and morale of personnel requires strong leadership and adaptability. Commanders must also stay updated on operational protocols while fostering teamwork and collaboration among units to achieve mission objectives effectively.
Commander jobs near you
Infographic showing various Commander job openings in Maryland as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $156,720 per year, or $75.3 per hour.

Joint Fires Operational Planner, Journeyman

Leidos

Odenton, MD • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 151 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

77th of 485 rated business services

Job description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?
At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. The Leidos National Security Sector (NSS) combines technology-enabled services and mission software capabilities in the areas of cyber, logistics, security operations, and decision analytics to support our defense and intel customers' mission to defend against evolving threats around the world.
Your greatest work is ahead!
The National Security Sector (NSS) seeks highly qualified and trained Journeyman-level Joint Fires Operational Planners to support United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) operations, with focus on applying principles of Joint Targeting and Operational Planning processes to secure USCYBERCOM tactical objectives, reach operational goals, and actualize strategic end-states. This vital on-site support to USCYBERCOM J3 (Operations), Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), and Joint Task Force-Ares (JTF-ARES) underpins USCYBERCOM support to United States National Security objectives.
This opportunity is in anticipation of a potential future contract award.
What you'll be doing:
  • Provide timely, accurate, relevant Operational Planning support in the manner that best underpins and drives USCYBERCOM Joint Fires Targeting process.
  • Coordinate targeting strategy development and engagement responsibilities with supported, supporting, and partner commands such as Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), National Security Agency (NSA), other interagency organizations and other service providers to ensure that USCYBERCOM and/or Cyber Mission Forces Joint Fires requirements are implemented.
  • Develop cyber TTPs that advise future operations planners on achieving Cyberspace Operations effects within the "realm of the possible" in support of operations and exercise objectives.
  • Act as technical liaison on behalf of the USCYBERCOM Operations Directorate between capability SMEs and capability developers, capability testers, planning teams, operations support staff, and operating units during planning and operations.
  • Draft and assist in the development of USCYBERCOM joint targeting policies, procedures, and commander's targeting guidance.
  • Participate in Boards, Bureaus, Centers, Cells, and Working Groups (B2C2WGs) such as Joint Targeting Working Groups (JTWG), Joint Targeting Coordination Meetings (JTCM), and Joint Targeting Coordination Boards (JTCB), to prioritize and synchronize target requirements.
  • Prepare strike packages, Cyber fires approval packages, Information Operations target packages, and otherwise support all USCYBERCOM non-kinetic fires activities.
  • Synchronize targeting methodologies across Cyber and information-related capabilities.
  • Monitor and manage intermediate and advanced target development lists and support conduct target development, target systems analysis, and Cyber weapons capability analysis.
  • Support integration of targeting activities into the broader joint targeting cycle, including interagency coordination.
  • Facilitate the transition of Fires tasks, as appropriate to Cyber Mission Force (CMF).
  • Analyze and evaluate All-Source finished intelligence and technical data from various sources to identify Cyber threat patterns and anomalies.
  • Collaborate with operational, technical, and intelligence elements across USCYBERCOM to enhance situational awareness and threat response capabilities.
  • Maintain a current understanding of advanced persistent threats (APTs), threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and cyber threat trends affecting national security.
  • Maintain situational awareness of, and execute on demand, Cyberspace Operations (CO) crisis plans.
  • Provide situational awareness to a range of projects, Crisis Action Teams, and current operations activities supporting Operational Planning Teams (OPTs).
  • Execute resource allocation decisions aligned with organization objectives.
  • Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and guidance relevant to daily activities.
  • Communicate complex information, concepts, or ideas in a confident and well-organized manner through verbal, written, and/or visual means.

What does Leidos need from me?
  • Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance with Polygraph required.
  • BA/BS degree or higher within Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Intelligence Studies, or related field, or ability to complete degree within one year of hire. Can substitute formal education with extended experience and technical certifications. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
  • Five to eight plus years' experience supporting CO or intelligence operations, with a focus on support to Joint Targeting. Will accept 10 years' experience combined across CO, Information Operations, Joint Targeting, and Operational Planning fields.
  • DoD or Intelligence Community (IC)-sponsored certification for Joint Targeting.
  • Graduate of DoD or IC-sponsored operational planning training and conversant in Joint Operations Planning process, to include all applicable foundational doctrine and methodologies.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with target management systems (e.g., MIDB, Coliseum, CAT Targeting Toolkits) supporting non-kinetic effects.
  • Working understanding of Joint Targeting Cycle and related doctrine (e.g., CJCSI 3370.01, JP 3-60).
  • DOD 8140/DOD 8570 IAT Level II Certified.
  • Strong familiarity with CO, the DoD Information Environment, and Joint Fires process.
  • Demonstrated experience working with targeting Boards and Working Groups (JTWG, JTCM, JTCB) and able to lead boards or working groups, as necessary.
  • Independently conduct intermediate target development and preliminary collateral effects analysis.
  • Broad knowledge of Blue-space Cyber capabilities and demonstrate understanding of available Cyber infrastructure or platforms to conduct Defensive (DCO) and Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO), as well as computer networking fundamentals and concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, wireless).
  • Ability to support timely, accurate, relevant analytical production, to include documents, summaries, issue papers, talking points, and briefings.
  • Demonstrated proficiency working in a fast-paced collaborative environment, ability to proactively multi-task and meet short deadlines.
  • Strong interpersonal, critical thinking, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey complex and technical data to nontechnical consumers.

Favorable if you have:
  • Masters' Degree or higher within Cybersecurity, Intelligence Studies, Information Security or related fields.
  • Deep understanding of USCYBERCOM organizational structure and mission.
  • Prior experience supporting Joint operations across multiple warfighting domains.
  • Demonstrated experience incorporating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into operations at any level to increase efficiency and effectiveness of operational outcomes.
  • Experience with Space-enabled CO.
  • Formal training within field of Cyber Warfare and Joint Operations.
  • Familiar with art of Data Science and applicability to CO.
  • Familiar with Microsoft Power BI data visualization software.
  • Desired Certifications: DoD 8570 IAT Level II (CCNA Security, COMPTIA CySA+, COMPTIA Security + CE, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP).

COSS
At Leidos, we don't want someone who "fits the mold"-we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, "what's next?" before the dust settles on "what's now."
If you're already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2... good. You'll fit right in.
Original Posting:
July 18, 2025
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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00
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.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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