Duties
As a Systems Engineer (SE) with the National Security Agency, you will help shape the future of national security systems by designing, integrating, and optimizing complex technologies that directly affect mission outcomes. In this challenging environment, innovation and critical thinking are essential as you work to safeguard the nation's most sensitive information through cutting'edge solutions. Our SEs collaborate with system architects, mission customers, and key stakeholders to guide technical direction, ensuring projects meet operational requirements and align with strategic priorities. Key responsibilities include:
- System Design and Integration: Spearhead the development of system architectures, ensuring seamless integration and functionality across diverse platforms.
- Project Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams through the full project lifecycle, from concept through delivery. You will manage project timelines, budgets, and quality metrics to ensure mission success.
- Technical Oversight: Provide expert guidance on technical issues and oversee the implementation of engineering best practices to enhance system reliability and performance.
- Risk Management: Identify and mitigate technical risks through thorough analysis and proactive planning. Your insights will be crucial in maintaining the resiliency of our systems.
- Mentoring and Collaboration: Foster a collaborative and continuous improvement environment through mentoring junior engineers and promoting knowledge-sharing within the team.
Valuable expertise in fields like cybersecurity, SIGINT, electrical or computer engineering, physics, computer science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, network architecture, IT infrastructure, and hybrid communications will be leveraged to drive the development of next-generation technologies, tackling the nation's toughest challenges and supporting NSA's global mission.
MID-CAREER SYSTEMS ENGINEERS
Mid-career systems engineers have experience leading systems engineering efforts and are ready to apply or expand that knowledge within 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, telecommunications, 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. They collaborate with senior engineers on system integration and testing, and develop and maintain technical documentation.
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, they lead technical teams and define and manage technical requirements throughout the product lifecycle. They identify and manage technical program risk; evaluate architectural design for efficiency improvements; and capture, analyze, and recommend updates to the enterprise and mission architectures to ensure resiliency. Senior Systems Engineers design and implement large-scale systems and architectures, and oversee system integration and testing. They develop and maintain technical roadmaps and strategies, while understanding the technical implications of different design choices and architectural decisions.
Staying up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, Senior Systems Engineers provide technical guidance and oversight to ensure that systems are designed and built to meet business and operational requirements. They identify potential technical risks and opportunities, and mentor other systems engineers in their tradecraft, laying the foundation for future successes.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- 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.
Qualifications
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree must be in either Engineering or a relevant technical field (for example, computer science, mathematics, or physics).
For all of the above degrees, 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 in engineering systems over their lifecycle (for example, conception, design & development, testing, production, distribution/deployment, operation, maintenance & support, decommissioning).
FULL PERFORMANCE
With an Engineering degree, 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. OR, with a degree in a relevant technical field (for example, computer science, mathematics, or physics), entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's or Doctoral degree plus 1 year of relevant experience.
SENIOR
Entry is with 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.
Education
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree must be in either Engineering or a relevant technical field (for example, computer science, mathematics, or physics).
For all of the above degrees, 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.
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 - $190,848 (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.
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.
Technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Cybersecurity, SIGINT, telecommunications, computer science, data management and processing.
- Knowledge of system network architectures, frameworks, and enterprise standards.
Expert-level knowledge of:
- System design, Architecture, Integration
Familiarity with systems engineering practices and concepts, including:
- Experience with systems engineering principles and methodologies
- Technology/system readiness assessment
- Modeling and simulation
- Security design engineering
- Test evaluation and integration
Certifications
- Systems Engineering (e.g. DAWIA, INCOSE) is beneficial
- DAWIA certification is required to be obtained within two years
Required Documents
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.
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.