Summary

NSA is in search of Computer Science professionals to actively engage in technical assignments in conjunction with leading technical teams to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches & research new solutions to storing, manipulating, and presenting information. Apply your computer science expertise to projects that seek to create new standards for the transformation of information. If you want to develop technologies, tools and be a part of cutting edge innovations, join our experts!

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Duties

Software/Hardware Project Managers leverage their knowledge and experience in Agile software development and/or hardware systems architecture to deliver software and/or hardware products and services. To successfully deliver technical systems within our environment, applicants must have a thorough understanding of the following: Agile software development lifecycle, requirement elicitation/assessment/tracking, system/software design, software development, system acquisition/assembly, testing, implementation, and deployment. They are responsible for identifying and tracking milestones, planning, allocating resources, and projecting and tracking costs and schedules throughout each lifecycle phase. They articulate vital project statuses to senior leadership, decision makers, and stakeholders in the form of briefings and written reports. Dependent on the project, responsibilities may include Hardware/Software equipment purchasing and acquisition.

Software/Hardware Project Managers play a vital role in guiding a team or multiple teams to complete the technical aspect of a scoped project by:
1. Engaging with customers to identify technical needs and develop requirements
2. Engaging with equipment vendors when necessary to get quotes, and validate costs and specs as part of purchasing and acquisition.
3. Assessing and tracking software/hardware system requirements and project status
4. Leading projects through full life cycle development in an Agile software environment
5. Identifying and tracking project milestones
6. Planning and allocating resources
7. Projecting and tracking costs and schedules
8. Articulating project status to decision makers and stakeholders

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 Computer Science (CS) or related field (e.g., Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Security, Computer Forensics, Network Engineering). Degrees in Information Technology, Information Systems, Information Security, Networking (Systems Administration), and Information Assurance 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 engineering hardware or software over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, software design, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance) and managing IT development projects (e.g., network, software, hardware, computer security). Experience may also include programming.

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.

Education

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: $104,219 - $151,570 (Full Performance)
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.

Benefits

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 with a desire for continual learning, Agile knowledge/experience, SDLC knowledge/experience and who possesses strong communication (oral and written) skills for an audience of varied technical background and seniority, problem-solving, analytic, interpersonal skills, and is:
- Motivated
- Accountable
- Adaptable
- Detail-oriented
- Customer service & requirements oriented
- Able to work effectively (independently and/or within teams) across functional areas in a collaborative environment
- Able to manage multiple tasks with competing timelines and deliverables
- Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of tools (i.e., Word, Excel)

Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas is desired:
- Computer Science
- Computer Security
- Computer Forensics
- Network Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering

Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or DAWIA certifications are preferred.

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/1250604

Agency contact information

Stephanie Catterton

Phone: 4108543210

Next steps