Cryptanalysis Development Program (CADP)

Intelligence Careers; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 87,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

NSA's Cryptanalysis Development Program (CADP) offers a three-year development path for analysts with a STEM background. It combines formal training, challenging tours in cryptanalytic offices, and targeted electives to build cryptanalytic expertise.

Participants progress through levels and are placed in a technical mission office after completion, applying skills to decode and exploit encrypted material while benefiting from a comprehensive NSA benefits package.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Entry requires a Bachelor's with no experience; Full Performance requires Bachelor's +3 years or Master’s +1; Senior requires Bachelor's +6 or Master’s +4 or Doctoral +2.
• Ideal candidate shows problem-solving, analytical and interpersonal skills; able to communicate clearly and collaborate.
• Specialized skills beneficial: programming, software/hardware engineering, computational science, algorithm analysis/design, reverse engineering.

Responsibilities

• Analyze garbled intercepts and cryptanalytic data to diagnose and exploit encrypted material.
• Formulate questions and hypotheses about data; test hypotheses via computer programs.
• Draw conclusions from test results to advance cryptanalytic capabilities.
• Contribute to debugging and testing software programs.

Skills

Cryptanalysis

Mathematics

Programming

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Collaboration

Curiosity

Education

Bachelors in Mathematics/Engineering/CS or related field

Job description

Cryptanalysis Development Program (CADP) - Entry to Experienced Level (Maryland)

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 07/1 to 13/10
Open: 2026-09-26, Close: 2026-10-04

Job Posting: 1262629

Responsibilities

The NSA must maintain and develop a highly skilled workforce. The NSA/CSS Cryptanalysis Development Program (CADP) is designed to produce professional cryptanalysts through an intensive, structured program of formal training courses and varied work assignments. The CADP is a three-year development program where participants complete five (5) tours of duty in cryptanalytic offices, attend seven (7) required courses, and choose at least two (2) elective courses. After completion, they are then placed in a technical mission office to use their cryptanalytic skills.Cryptanalysts at the NSA monitor and detect problems in data flow or collection to ensure collection quality. They analyze garbled intercepts by using processing skills and techniques, conduct analysis of signals and/or cryptographic data, and use that knowledge to diagnose and exploit encrypted material. They also debug and test software programs.

• Analyzing data of various types
• Formulating questions and hypotheses about the data
• Testing hypotheses, usually via computer programs
• Drawing conclusions from test results

PLEASE NOTE: A copy of unofficial transcripts for all college courses must be submitted with the application in order for the application to be fully considered.

Job Summary

NSA is in search of analysts with a STEM background to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches and research new solutions. We are looking for you to apply your problem-solving expertise to develop cryptanalytic capabilities and techniques to exploit cryptographic systems. Help break codes and protect national security interests as part of the world's most advanced team of cryptanalytic professionals!

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.Degree must be in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field (for example, Data Science, Physics, Statistics).For Full Performance and Senior level, relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: cryptanalysis, math, research, communications technologies, statistics, computer science, data science, engineering, programming, analysis of data or patterns, or providing formal instruction in any of the above.ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTALEntry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience.FULL PERFORMANCEEntry 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.SENIOREntry 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 of relevant experience.

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

• Flexible
• Curious
• Persistent
• Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Able to collaborate with others
• Likes challenging puzzles

Specialized skills and experience in any of the following is beneficial:

• Programming (low level, high level, parallel)
• Software engineering
• Hardware engineering
• Computational science
• Algorithm analysis and design
• Reverse engineering

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: $87,362 - $172,578 (Entry/Developmental, 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.

• 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.

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' PreferenceIn 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.