Mechanical Engineer - Facilities - Mid to Experienced Level (Maryland) Job in Fort Meade, MD

Vacancy No. 1258587 Department National Security Agency/Central Security Service
Salary $105,262.00 to $192,764.00 Grade 11 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/1/2026 Close Date 6/15/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Meade, MD


Summary

Use your skills to create the systems and tools that will be used to enhance the operation of intelligence. You will advise, administer and perform scientific projects, such as planning, designing, and constructing specialized equipment, and ensuring adherence to sound engineering and scientific standards and principles. NSA offers multiple areas of focus for facilities engineers, including computer, architectural, electrical, mechanical, and structural.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Duties

Be a part of our mission to protect the national security of the United States, and have a direct impact to enable success in Agency operations. As a Facilities Engineer - Mechanical, you will have the opportunity to work directly with mission customers to validate the requirements and unique needs to provide reliable technical solutions.

With the ever-changing industry and increase of technology complexities to accommodate our workforce, NSA's Installation & Logistics organization needs motivated Mechanical Engineers to provide facilities design expertise, guidance, and support to the development and implementation of facilities solutions that enable capabilities that align with mission driven priorities.

As a Mechanical Engineer at NSA, responsibilities may include:
- Prepare design and construction cost estimates.
- Development of designs for new and renovated facilities.
- Prepare engineering technical reports, specifications, and drawings
- Provide construction detailing.
- Perform engineering analysis and calculations.
- Conduct code analysis.
- Project management.
- Facilities planning.

NOTE: Please include a copy of your college/university transcripts as an attachment to your IC Careers profile prior to applying to this job posting.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.

Qualifications

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

Degree must be in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (for example, Construction Engineering, General Engineering, and Architectural Engineering). If program is not ABET 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.

Relevant experience must be working in an HVAC or related engineering capacity (for example, heating, cooling, refrigeration, ductwork, piping systems, energy management controls, building management systems, mechanical codes, and indoor air quality standards). Additionally, experience may include experience in project management, reading design drawings, facilities design, and using Computer Aided Design and Drafting software as well as other mechanical engineering experience. Experience may also include project management.

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.

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

Additional information

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 - $192,764 (Full Performance, Senior)
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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

As a Mechanical Engineer at NSA, responsibilities may include:
- Inspect and monitor the condition of facilities systems and equipment.
- Conduct site surveys on existing facilities for capturing system infrastructure and associated operational characteristics.
- Perform engineering analyses and studies for products/parts, equipment, facilities, or facilities systems.
- Design facility systems in support of building infrastructure.
- Review engineering plans, drawings, or schematics.
- Develop cost estimates for building infrastructure projects.

The ideal candidate demonstrates the following:
- Problem Solving
- Interpersonal Skills
- Partnering
- Customer Service
- Accountability
- Continual Learning
- Resilience
- Effective Communication

Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following is desired:
- Technical software packages (e.g., AutoCAD, SixSigma, Pipeflow, ARCHGIS, Trane Trace, vendor equipment selection software).
- Engineering calculations (e.g., heating and cooling load, hydronic pressure drop, static pressure drop, NPSH, psychrometric, utility utilization projections).
- Mechanical codes and guidelines (e.g., SMACNA, ASHRAE, IBC, IMC, IPC, LEED, Indoor Air Quality Standards).
- Cost estimating.
- Design, analysis and troubleshooting of mechanical facilities infrastructure (e.g., HVAC, chilled water, steam, EMCS, heating water, ventilation, air distribution, plumbing, energy management, data centers).
- Cost-benefit analysis and life-cycle cost analysis.
- System startup, commissioning, and testing and balancing.

Required Documents

**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**
Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority.

Veterans' Preference
In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application.

Acceptable documentation includes:
- DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4);
OR
- Certification of Service:
A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date;
AND
- Standard Form 15 (SF-15)
Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf).

If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability;
AND
- VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating)

You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/).

**Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1258587

Agency contact information

NSA POC

Next steps

Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1258587

National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Agency contact information

NSA POC

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