Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD

Pay Plan: GG, Grade: 11/1 to 15/10

Open: 2026-05-15, Close: 2026-05-31

Responsibilities

The National Security Agency employs a talented workforce of world class engineers, researchers, programmers, and developers that play a critical role in protecting our nation's security every day.

The NSA is seeking individuals with Computer Science and Engineering experience in areas such as software engineering, systems engineering, information technology infrastructure, high performance computing, architectures, computer security, and networking to design and develop advanced tools, techniques, and systems in support of our mission.

Applicants to this advertisement will be considered against all available positions for the following Work Roles:

• Capabilities Development Specialist Develop custom, high-priority, offensive and defensive hardware and software capabilities targeting the hardest-to-reach adversarial networks in the world.
• Computer Systems Architect Use commercial and government developed hardware, software, networking, and security products to design, implement, and administer information technology projects and architectures.
• Digital Network Exploitation Analyst Employ computer science skills to perform discovery and target technology analysis of digital network and mobile communications.
• Software Engineer Contribute, learn, and grow in virtually any Computer Science focus area, including Cybersecurity, High Performance Computing (HPC), Quantum Computing Research, Data Analytics, Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence (ML/AI), Cryptology/Cryptography.
• Systems Engineer Help shape the future of national security systems by designing, integrating, and optimizing complex technologies.

Job Summary

NSA is in search of experienced Computer Science and Engineering professionals to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches, and research new solutions. If you want to develop technologies and tools to help protect national security interests, join our team as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science and engineering professionals! To be considered for our openings, simply build a quality resume following the profile building directions, and then click "apply". We will review your experience and interest, assess our openings against your qualifications and contact you directly. **Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended, prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. Providing a copy of your transcripts is essential, as the minimum qualifications for most positions require a particular degree or course concentration.**

Qualifications

The minimum qualifications against which the applicant will be evaluated derive from the Work Role to which they are matched. It's important that you upload unofficial copies of educational transcripts from all schools attended, as well as any military training/coursework transcripts, DD214, and relevant certifications. Please be sure to upload all documentation prior to applying to the position. Providing these documents is essential as the minimum qualifications for most positions require a particular degree or course concentration.

Competencies

• Prior to submitting your application*** Please ensure that you've fully populated the relevant sections within the resume builder tool to include relevant skills and education, and have broken down multiple work experiences by position and date accordingly to allow yourself full consideration across multiple missions, and to help us to guide you toward the area(s) that best fit your background/experience. Knowledge and skill areas of interest include: - Programming in languages such as C, C++, Python, Java, Assembly - Advanced malware analysis - Hardware design (e.g., FPGA, VHDL, Verilog, PCB) - Hardware & Software Reverse Engineering - RF system design (e.g., DSP, SDR) - Embedded systems development - Software vulnerability analysis and exploitation - Symmetric and asymmetric cryptography - Network protocols and hardware - Database design/development (e.g., NiFi, MongoDB) - Cloud architecture - Security architectures, appliances, assessment tools, and standards - Systems engineering practices and concepts

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.

Salary Range: $105,262 - $197,200 (Full Performance, Senior, and Expert) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.

Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).

DCIPS Trial Period: If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.