Computer Systems Architect - Mid to Expert Level (Maryland)

CNSS • National Security Systems; Mount Airy (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

National Security Agency (NSA) seeks Computer Systems Architects to modernize IT architecture, integrating industry trends and security requirements across projects. You will collaborate with technical teams to evaluate solutions and ensure compliance with established architectures and data models.

The role emphasizes data modeling, information transport standards, and enterprise alignment. Candidates should have CS expertise and relevant lifecycle experience, with DCIPS and security

Qualifications

• The position requires a CS degree with relevant experience across the system lifecycle.
• Experience in design and development of computer/information systems is required.
• Military training like JCAC counts towards experience where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Modernize IT architecture through analysis and changes based on project requirements.
• Integrate trends, technologies, standards, and new vendor features.
• Collaborate with technical teams to identify and recommend solutions.
• Produce compliance results for project requirements and IT architecture.
• Map data requirements from legacy stores to data models.
• Define information transport standards between IT systems and knowledge databases.
• Align enterprise logical and physical data models.

Skills

System administration

Programming & scripting

Database design

Network protocols

Virtualization

Cloud architecture

Security architectures

Firewalls

High performance computing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

NiFi

MongoDB

Job description

Responsibilities

Computer Systems Architects at NSA use commercial and government-developed hardware, software, networking, and security products to:

• Modernize IT architecture through analysis of research and introducing changes based on evolving project requirements
• Integrate industry trends, emerging technologies and standards and new vendor features
• Collaborate with experts in technical and application teams to identify, evaluate and recommend technical solutions to support project requirements
• Produce compliance results for established project requirements and IT architecture
• Define and analyze data requirements, mapping legacy data stores and formats to logical and physical data models
• Propose standard ways for information transport between IT systems and stored within corporate knowledge databases
• Perform architectural alignment of the enterprise logical data model and physical data models

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD

Pay Plan: GG, Grade: 11/1 to 15/10

Open: 2026-08-10, Close: 2026-08-23

Responsibilities

Computer Systems Architects at NSA use commercial and government-developed hardware, software, networking, and security products to:

• Modernize IT architecture through analysis of research and introducing changes based on evolving project requirements
• Integrate industry trends, emerging technologies and standards and new vendor features
• Collaborate with experts in technical and application teams to identify, evaluate and recommend technical solutions to support project requirements
• Produce compliance results for established project requirements and IT architecture
• Define and analyze data requirements, mapping legacy data stores and formats to logical and physical data models
• Propose standard ways for information transport between IT systems and stored within corporate knowledge databases
• Perform architectural alignment of the enterprise logical data model and physical data models

Job Summary

If you have a background in computer science and a passion for working with emerging technology and driving IT projects, join our team at NSA. Our experts work on cutting-edge innovations that solve complex problems affecting national security.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Computer Science (CS). Related fields (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics, Information Technology, Information Systems) 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 advanced mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics). Relevant experience must be in the design/development of computer or information systems and include engineering hardware and/or software over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, computer systems research, reverse engineering, and/or computer/network security. Completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course) will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 24-week JCAC course will count as 6 months of experience). 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. 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 and 2 years of relevant experience. An Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position. EXPERT Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 9 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree plus 5 years of relevant experience. An Associate's degree plus 11 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.

Competencies

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a desire for continual learning and strong problem-solving, analytic and interpersonal skills who is able to:

• Work in a team environment
• Adapt to change
• Provide innovative solutions
• Communicate effectively
• Multi-task across multiple projects

The ideal candidate will also reflect specialized skills and experience in one or more of the following:

• System administration with Windows, UNIX, and/or Linux
• Programming and scripting experience (e.g., C, C++, Java, Assembly, Python, Perl, Ruby, Bash, Node.js, Spark, Puppet, SALT, KAFKA, HADOOP)
• Database design/development (e.g., NiFi, MongoDB)
• Network protocols and hardware
• Virtualization fundamentals
• Cloud architecture
• Security architectures and appliances
• Firewalls boundary device solutions/architecture
• High performance computing/data center

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

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 - $197,200 (Full Performance, Senior, Expert) 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.

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.

NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process.

DCIPS Disclaimer

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.