Computer Science Development Programs - Entry to Mid Level (Maryland)

lly three years long and feature rotational tours throughout the Agency. Designed for entry to mid-level employees, development program participants are afforded the opportunity to receive tailored training, often with a cohort, and multiple assignments across Agency Directorates to develop skills and experience to ground their career at the NSA.

Applicants will be considered for the following NSA Development Programs:

CDP - Computer Science Development Program
C2DP - Cryptanalytic Computer Network Operations Development Program
CNODP - Computer Network Operations Development Program

For additional information on these development programs please visit: https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/NSA/nsadevprograms.html

For any questions regarding development programs, please email [email protected].

As an NSA computer science development program participant your responsibilities may include:

• creating analytic applications that scale across multiple, very large, data sets from disparate sources
• leveraging and integrating open source, commercial off-the-shelf, and government developed software
• analyzing user/customer requirements related to software and/or software system design
• building software prototypes
• designing, developing, and debugging software applications
• troubleshooting and debugging computer code
• applying mathematical or computational methods and lines of reasoning to complex software systems
• identifying target communications within the global network
• designing and optimizing algorithms, data structures, modeling, and analytics to solve real-world scientific problems
• solving cryptanalytic, high-performance computing, and computer network problems
• leading new advances in computer science, such as:
• microprocessor-based advances
• beyond the horizon supercomputers
• signals processing (including analog control)
• user interfaces
• deep learning
• cybersecurity
• design and implementation of encryption
• advanced algorithms
• detecting, identifying, and evaluating vulnerabilities in cyberspace systems and/or networks
• developing software and/or hardware exploitation capabilities that enable collection of foreign intelligence from target networks and systems
• designing solutions to defend against adversarial threats directed towards the US, to include cutting-edge technologies such as mobile, SCADA, and Internet of Things
• analyzing sophisticated malware to thwart cyber attacks and identify new threats
• developing methods and applications for tools to exploit and analyze computer systems

Job Summary:

NSA's development programs help employees enhance their skills and improve their understanding of a specific discipline. The programs are generally three years long and feature rotational tours throughout the Agency. Designed for entry to mid-level employees, development program participants are afforded the opportunity to receive tailored training, often with a cohort, and multiple assignments across Agency Directorates to develop skills and experience to ground their career at the NSA.

Qualifications:

NSA's computer science development programs are hiring for the following work roles: Cryptologic Computer Scientist (CDP), Cryptanalytic Computer Scientist (C2DP), and Capabilities Development Specialist (CNODP).

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

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.

CRYPTOLOGIC COMPUTER SCIENTIST
Degree must be in Computer Science (CS). Related fields (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics, Information Technology, Information Systems) 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 advanced mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics).
Relevant experience must be in computer systems research; simulation/model development and prototyping; software design; programming; computational science; algorithm analysis and design; reverse engineering; or designing/developing computer or information systems, including engineering hardware and/or software.

CRYPTANALYTIC COMPUTER SCIENTIST
Degree must be in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Mathematics (including Applied Math); or a related field (e.g., other Engineering or Math) with at least one programming and at least four upper-level math classes (Calculus and above).
Relevant experience must be in a computer science area (i.e., theoretical or applied), designing/developing/using/evaluating mathematic models, methods, and/or techniques (e.g., algorithm development) to study issues and solve problems, engineering (electrical or computer), cryptanalysis, computer network operations and/or high performance computing.

CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST:
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).

Competencies:

The ideal candidate is someone who thrives on solving hard problems, has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and is able to:

• work independently as well as in a team environment to build solutions
• handle multiple assignments
• synthesize information to solve complex problems
• apply knowledge of data structures and algorithms to software engineering problems
• develop, diagnose, and operate complex computer systems
• identify customer needs and validate product design

Additionally, the ideal candidate is someone with knowledge and experience in one or more of the following:

• programming and scripting experience (e.g., C, C++, Java, Assembly, Python, Perl, Ruby, Bash, Node.js, Spark, Puppet, SALT, KAFKA, HADOOP, VHDL, Verilog)
• building user facing services, middleware, and backend systems
• full-stack development
• computer networking (e.g., communication protocols, distributed systems, Internet of Things, real-time systems, routing and switching)
• protocol analysis (e.g. Wireshark, tcpdump)
• data spaces, data modeling, data analysis, storage design, and administration
• simulation/model development & prototyping
• information retrieval, machine learning, artificial intelligence, statistics and analytics
• hardware and software vulnerability analysis
• software reverse engineering/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, IDA Pro, Ollydbg, gdb)
• hardware reverse engineering tools (e.g., JTAG, Oscilloscopes)
• software development life-cycle (design, develop, implementation, debug, testing)
• kernel and device driver development
• network/socket programming
• embedded systems development
• operating systems
• computational science
• algorithm analysis and design
• reverse engineering
• cryptanalysis
• high performance computing

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: $79,735 - 149,026 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance)
Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

On the job training, internal NSA courses, and external training will be made available based on the need and experience of the selectee.

Benefits: NSA offers excellent benefits to include relocation assistance, flexible work schedules, generous leave programs, paid personal fitness time, training and continuing education classes, health and life insurance, Federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and a Federal retirement plan.

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).

How to apply:

Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position.

A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from [email protected]. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com

U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. NSA is also committed to the promotion of diversity within its workforce. 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. 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 https://https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/NSA/diversity-and-inclusion.

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. 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.