Project Director - Mid to Experienced Level (Maryland) Job in Fort Meade, MD

Vacancy No. 1260709 Department National Security Agency/Central Security Service
Salary $85,447.00 to $187,093.00 Grade 11 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/27/2026 Close Date 7/31/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Meade, MD


Project Director - Mid to Experienced Level (Maryland)

Department of Defense
National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Summary

Project Directors supply timely, accurate, and relevant information to assist senior leadership, customers, and/or management in making decisions. They contribute to the management of a project in technical, development, business, and operational functional organizations.

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

Project Director responsibilities may include:
- Developing and overseeing project plans as well as day-to-day activities.
- Leading blended teams of contractors and civilians.
- Understanding of or experience in managing Agile software development projects.
- Performing requirements management, resource management and quality assurance oversight.
- Developing and tracking schedules.
- Monitoring performance goals and mitigating risks.
- Leading/mentoring junior staff.
- Creating and sustaining a strong customer focus with key stakeholders.
- Collaborating with and building relationships with others to accomplish goals.
- Presenting project status and informational briefs to senior leadership.

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 in any field is acceptable.

Relevant experience must be in project management (for example, planning, resource management, scheduling, tracking/oversight) or a field directly related to the position.

FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or 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.

Certification in a relevant field or a Journeyman Tradesman license may count for up to 2 years of experience.

SENIOR
Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 10 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or 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.

Certification in a relevant field or a Journeyman Tradesman license may count for up to 2 years of experience. Master Tradesman license may count for up to 4 years of experience.

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: $85,447 - $187,093 (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.

The ideal candidate is someone who has previous project management experience with additional skills and experience in one or more of the following preferred:
- Experience managing or overseeing hardware and/or software projects.
- Certifications in DAWIA Program Management or PMP Certification.
- Experience with fiscal, acquisition and/or contractual management processes.
- Military experience and/or Department of Defense/Intelligence Community collaboration.
- Knowledge of or experience with High Performance Computing (HPC) or Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure (HCI).
- Knowledge of or experience with data warehousing, analytic hosting, streaming or real-time platforms.
- Mission management.

These ideal candidates will also have interest in continual learning and will possess strong communication (oral and written), problem-solving, analytic, interpersonal skills, and are:
- results-oriented and accountable.
- a critical thinker, able to take action in complex situations.
- able to negotiate with and influence others.
- able to manage multiple tasks with competing timelines and deliverables.
- resourceful in identifying and consulting appropriate Subject Matter Experts to provide input on decisions.
- competent in MS Office, including MS Project.

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/1260709

Agency contact information

NSA POC

Next steps

Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1260709

National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Agency contact information

NSA POC

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