Job Details
Responsibilities With ever-accelerating technological advances and growing system complexity, a diverse and inclusive professional workforce of Systems Engineers builds, integrates, and optimizes complex systems and services. World-class technical professionals solve challenging systems engineering problems with unprecedented speed and scale utilizing innovative solutions. Systems engineers perform trade studies to generate and translate conceptual designs into technical specifications, participate in the evaluation of prototype hardware systems and software solutions, and integrate into the current architecture. Backgrounds such as Cybersecurity, SIGINT, hybrid-cloud, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), integrated network architecture, information technology infrastructure and hybrid-communications all have a place in the spectrum of implementations ranging from commercial/government off-the-self solutions to the development of new and unique technologies. SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEERS Seasoned professionals drive the Agency's largest and most challenging technical projects to ensure success. These engineers participate in technical decision-making, or function in an advisory role. Working in collaborative teams, these professionals define and manage technical requirements throughout product lifecycle; identify and manage technical program risk; evaluate the architectural design for efficiency improvements; capture, analyze and recommend updates to the enterprise and mission architectures to ensure resiliency; design and enforce configuration management and interoperability standards; and define, manage and perform testing and evaluation. Senior Systems Engineers mentor other systems engineers in their tradecraft, which lays the foundation for future successes. MID-CAREER SYSTEMS ENGINEERS Mid-career systems engineers have experience leading systems engineering efforts, and are ready to apply, or expand that knowledge in the Intelligence Community. These engineers have experience in specific lifecycle phases, as well as an understanding of the full lifecycle. They develop their expertise, grow their breadth of knowledge, and mentor the next generation of systems engineers. Mid-career systems engineers come from a wide variety of experiences such as Cybersecurity, SIGINT, communications, and systems of systems or networking infrastructure. These professionals are adept at communicating with technical teams, and making recommendations to senior leadership that drive mission initiatives. JUNIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEERS NSA hires recent college graduates and junior systems engineers to support a technical mission office, or participate in a Development Program. These systems engineers are involved in various projects that are designed to nurture and grow their skills. They gain hands-on, practical knowledge of architecture and infrastructure by designing engineering systems over the lifecycle in areas such as Cybersecurity, SIGINT, networks, servers, hardware and software. Supported by robust training, junior systems engineers have opportunities to form relationships with mentors and explore possibilities. They are energetic, motivated, driven to continual learning and ready to grow their careers. Job Summary Systems Engineers utilize the Systems Engineering Life Cycle to design, build, integrate, and optimize complex systems and services. They solve challenging systems engineering problems with unprecedented speed and scale utilizing innovative solutions. Systems engineers translate conceptual designs into technical specifications, participate in the evaluation of prototype hardware system and software solutions, and integrate into the current and future architectures. Qualifications The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in professional Engineering, Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college or university, or a relevant professional technical field (e.g. chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology). For all of the above degrees, if program is not ABET EAC accredited, it must include specified coursework. Specified coursework includes courses in differential and integral calculus and 5 of the following 18 areas: (a) statics or dynamics, (b) strength of materials/stress-strain relationships, (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics, (d) thermodynamics, (e) electromagnetic fields, (f) nature and properties of materials/relating particle and aggregate structure to properties, (g) solid state electronics, (h) microprocessor applications, (i), computer systems, (j) signal processing, (k) digital design, (l) systems and control theory, (m) circuits or generalized circuits, (n) communication systems, (o) power systems, (p) computer networks, (q) software development, (r) Any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, or soil mechanics. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL With a professional Engineering degree, entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. With a degree in Physics or Astronomy, or a relevant professional technical field, entry is a Bachelor's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience. Experience in designing engineering systems over their lifecycle (e.g., concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal) is desired. Experience in optimization and modeling is preferred. FULL PERFORMANCE With a degree in professional Engineering, 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. With a degree in Physics or Astronomy, or a relevant professional technical field, entry is a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's or Doctoral degree plus 1 year of relevant experience. Relevant experience must be in designing engineering systems over their lifecycle (e.g., concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal). Experience in optimization and modeling is preferred. SENIOR Entry is a Bachelor's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 3 years of relevant experience. Degree must be in either professional Engineering, Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college, or a relevant professional technical field (e.g. chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology). Relevant experience must be in designing engineering systems over their lifecycle (e.g., concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal). Experience in optimization and modeling is preferred. EXPERT Entry is a Bachelor's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 6 years of relevant experience. Degree must be in either professional Engineering, Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college, or a relevant professional technical field (e.g. chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology). Relevant experience must be in designing engineering systems over their lifecycle (e.g., concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal). Experience in optimization and modeling is preferred. Competencies The ideal candidate demonstrates applicable knowledge or experience in a technical field with a familiarity of systems engineering practices and concepts in areas such as Cybersecurity, SIGINT, communications, telecommunications, data management, data processing, network architecture, or software design, development, and implementation. The ideal candidate has a desire for continual learning as well as excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills. Finally, ideal candidates are innovative and willing to share out-of-the box ideas, motivated to drive projects to completion, and able to work across different functional areas in a collaborative environment. Knowledge, skills, and experience in one or more of the following is desired: systems engineering principles such as technology/system readiness assessment, modeling and simulation, security design engineering, and developmental test and evaluation; systems architecture, framework, and standards. Systems Engineering Certifications (i.e., DAWIA Certification, INCOSE) are beneficial, but not required. 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 Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, and Texas. While this position is hiring for all locations, approximately 80% of the positions are located in Maryland. Salary Range: $77,745 - $183,500 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior, Expert) Some of the tremendous benefits and programs we offer to support you include flexible hours and alternate schedules, paid time off to engage in physical fitness activities, federal retirement plans and investment plans with matching contributions, a variety of health, dental, and vision insurance options, paid parental leave and support programs. We understand that most people want to grow, whether that means diversifying into new areas or becoming an expert in your field. We encourage our employees to move about the agency, take external assignments, partner with academia and private industry, and even explore positions at our other cryptologic centers. For all levels (Senior, Mid-Career, Junior): Telework opportunities vary across the Agency, and are available based on individual office mission objectives and requirements. On-the job training, internal NSA courses, and external training will be made available based on the need and experience of the selectee. Typical work schedule is Monday - Friday, with basic 8 hr/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 noreplyintelligencecareers.gov. 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.