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Full Job Description
Are you a computer science or engineering professional? Are you interested in Cyber Security, reverse engineering? Do you enjoy CTFs? Is your idea of a good time building a robot from spare parts? Did you solve your Calculus homework using FPGAs? Are your Sunday mornings filled with bug bounty hunting?
The National Security Agency is seeking highly motivated Computer Science and Engineering professionals to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches, and research new solutions to propel our mission. As a Capabilities Development Specialist (CDS) at NSA, your job will be to develop high-priority offensive and defensive capabilities targeting the hardest-to-reach adversarial networks in the world. In defense of our Nation, we conduct innovative research and produce hardware and software tools unlike anything in the world. By joining our team, you will apply and grow your expertise to create new ways to get critical information to our national decision makers. Whether it is in software, hardware, or cutting-edge research, if you are up for a challenge, have unbridled curiosity, and a drive to develop tomorrow’s technologies and tools today, apply now to join our team. Use your unique experiences and expertise to protect national security interests as part of the world’s most advanced team of computer science and engineering professionals! If you have interests, skills, or experience in one or more of the following areas, we’d like to hear from you:
– Software Specialties: Strong software development skills (C, C++, Assembly, ARM); Software RE/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, OllyDbg, gdb); Software/mobile application vulnerability analysis and exploitation
– Hardware Specialties: – Hardware RE, design, development, or testing (Verilog, VHDL, FPGA, PCB); Testing and debugging tools (JTAG, Oscilloscopes, etc.);
Job roles may include:
– developing exploitation capabilities and analytics to enable foreign target network collection
– designing hardware components and systems to further signals intelligence missions
– analyzing sophisticated malware
Job Summary
Are you a computer science or engineering professional? Do you have strong cyber security, software development or hardware RE, design, development and testing skills? Do you want to be part of team that develops ground breaking solution? If so, click here to learn more and apply.
Qualifications
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree must be in Computer Science (CS), Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field. Degrees in Information Technology, Information Systems, Information Security, Networking (Systems Administration), Information Assurance, or Cybersecurity may be considered relevant if the programs contain, at minimum, a concentration of courses in the following foundational CS areas: algorithms; computer architecture (not network architecture); programming methodologies and languages; data structures; logic and computation; and upper-level mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics).
Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: engineering hardware or software over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, design, development, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, or systems engineering. Completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course) will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 24-week JCAC course will count as 6 months of experience).
ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL
Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree and no experience. An Associate’s degree plus 2 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.
FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree plus 3 years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree plus 1 year of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree and no experience. An Associate’s degree plus 5 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.
SENIOR
Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree plus 6 years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree plus 4 years of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. An Associate’s degree plus 8 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.
EXPERT
Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree plus 9 years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree plus 7 years of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree plus 5 years of relevant experience. An Associate’s degree plus 11 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.
Competencies
We’re looking for someone with knowledge, skills, and experience in one or more of the following:
– Programming in languages such as C, C++, and Java, especially in kernel development and device driver development, network/socket programming, and embedded systems development
– Scripting languages (e.g., Python, Perl, or Ruby)
– Assembly language(s)
– Hardware design (e.g., FPGA, VHDL, Verilog, PCB)
– Hardware Reverse Engineering
– RF system design (e.g., DSP, SDR)
– Software reverse engineering/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, OllyDbg, gdb)
– Hardware analysis tools (e.g., JTAG, Oscilloscopes)
– Software vulnerability analysis and exploitation
– Protocol and network analyzers (e.g., Wireshark, tcpdump)
– Computer networking (e.g., communication protocols, routing and switching)
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
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 ranges vary by location and work level. This position is hiring for the Maryland location.
Salary Range: $77,745 – $183,500 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior, Expert)
On-the job training, internal NSA courses, and external training will be made available based on the need and experience of the selectee.
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, with basic 8 hour/day work requirements between 0600 and 1800 (flexible).
How to apply
U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.
Due to time sensitive communications regarding your application, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from [email protected]. Please review the job posting thoroughly to ensure you meet the described qualifications and are aware of all associated requirements. To apply for this position, please click the ‘Apply’ button located at the top right of this posting. After completing the application for the first time, or reviewing previously entered information, and clicking the ‘Submit’ button, you will receive a confirmation email. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as job postings could close earlier than the closing date due to sufficient number of applicants, or the position is no longer available. You may be asked a series of questions depending on the position you apply for. Your responses will be used as part of the application screening process and will assist in determining your eligibility for the position. Be sure to showcase within your resume those experiences relevant to this position. Failure to provide the required information or providing inaccurate information will result in your application not being considered for this position. Only those applicants who meet all position qualifications, may be contacted to begin employment processing. Please remain diligent in monitoring email and your SPAM folder. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate. Please visit our Diversity link for more information.
This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.
DCIPS Disclaimer
The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority.
