Network & Security Operations (NOC/SOC) Analyst

Colorado Springs, CO

Must be a US citizen able to obtain a Secret Security Clearance – an active Secret clearance is preferred.

@Orchard LLC has been tasked with assisting a client in building a brand-new Network and Security Operations Center in Colorado Springs and is seeking Tier 2 NOC/SOC Analysts to serve as frontline defenders of mission-critical systems. If you thrive on solving complex technical challenges, analyzing live telemetry, and maintaining zero-trust environments under operational pressure, this is your opportunity to directly safeguard infrastructure that matters.

Our client builds secure, hardened, and resilient digital infrastructure designed to keep communications, edge compute, and private 5G connectivity active in the most extreme conditions. From defense and government missions to public safety and critical infrastructure, our client delivers survivable connectivity where failure is not an option.

What You’ll Do

You will bridge the gap between network reliability and threat intelligence. You will analyze real-time data, lead root-cause investigations, and ensure continuous availability across private 5G networks, edge platforms, satellite links, and cloud systems.

• Monitor and triage network, security, and infrastructure telemetry across hybrid environments. Determine event severity and drive swift, effective escalation.
• Provide advanced Tier 1/2 support across private wireless (LTE/5G), firewalls, VPNs, routing/switching, endpoint security, and edge compute platforms.
• Dive into SIEM events, packet captures, system logs, and security feeds to expose root causes and mitigate vulnerabilities.
• Assist with incident containment, threat analysis, ticket documentation, and post-incident playbooks to harden future defenses.
• Work directly with security engineers, field operators, threat research teams, and mission partners to maintain operational readiness.
• Help refine standard operating procedures (SOPs), automated detection rules, and incident playbooks.
• You will regularly leverage an enterprise-grade cyber and network toolkit, including:

·        Monitoring & Log Analysis: Checkmk, ELK Stack, Zeek, Suricata

·        Threat Intelligence & Security: OpenCTI, MISP, Nessus, Xage (Zero Trust)

·        Operations Management: ServiceNow

What You Bring

• You must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and keep a Secret clearance; an active Secret clearance is preferred.
• You have at least 3+ years of experience in a NOC, SOC, cyber operations, systems administration, or telecom incident response role.
• You can demonstrate a solid foundation in TCP/IP, routing/switching, DNS, DHCP, firewalls, VPNs, Linux/Windows administration, and cloud/virtualization environments.
• Proven ability to analyze logs, SIEM data, and packet captures to diagnose complex network and security events.
• Calm under pressure, self-motivated during solo shifts, and skilled at prioritizing concurrent incidents in high-stakes settings.
• Willingness to work operational shift schedules (including weekends/holidays with advance notice) to ensure 24/7 mission readiness.

What will make you stand out

• Prior experience supporting the Department of Defense (DoD), federal agencies, telecom carriers, or critical infrastructure.
• Familiarity with 5G/LTE RAN and core concepts, edge compute, SATCOM, or Zero Trust architecture (5G certifications are a big plus).
• CompTIA Security+, Network+, CySA+, CCNA, Linux+, or GIAC credentials/certifications.
• Experience using AI/ML tools to streamline security research, threat hunting, log organization, or incident response workflows.

Compensation: Will be based on experience and qualifications. This is a non-exempt hourly position that includes shift differential for night-shift coverage as well as holidays. The anticipated hourly rate is $30-35 per hour.

Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive, talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI.  Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atOrchard.com.