Data Engineer - Entry to Expert Level

US National Security Agency/Central Security Service; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 87,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

US National Security Agency/Central Security Service seeks data engineers to design and build data systems and pipelines transforming diverse data into usable formats for critical intelligence tasks.

The onsite Fort Meade, MD role offers a salary range of USD 87,362 to 197,200 per year, with responsibilities across cloud/open-source tech, collaboration with partners, and documentation as datasets move to operation.

Qualifications

• Security background investigation required.
• Polygraph required.
• Experience in data engineering, ETL, data modeling, or data management.
• Degree aligned with CS/IT/math fields preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and architect data systems and pipelines for structured and unstructured data.
• Develop data models, schemas, databases, and optimized pipelines.
• Build ETL processes and automated data validation methods.
• Deliver high-priority datasets for intelligence and cybersecurity missions.
• Mentor team members and document processes for technical audiences.

Job description

At the US National Security Agency/Central Security Service, data engineers design and build data systems and pipelines that turn both structured and unstructured information into standardized, usable formats. The work supports delivery of high-priority datasets for critical intelligence and cybersecurity missions, with responsibilities spanning end-to-end pipeline development, data modeling, validation, and data quality improvement.

This onsite, full-time position is based at Fort Meade, MD and offers a salary range of USD 87,362 to 197,200 per year. You will work across cloud and open-source technologies, collaborate with technical and domain partners, and document and mentor others as solutions move from requirements to operational datasets.

What you will do

• Design and architect systems to collect, transform, and manage data at scale using cloud, open source, and custom solutions
• Create data models, schemas, databases, and optimized pipelines for large, complex datasets
• Build ETL (extract, transform, load) processes and automated data validation methods
• Derive structured data from unstructured sources and combine multiple datasets into a complete picture
• Handle conflicting, missing, or inconsistent data through cleaning and curation
• Perform exploratory data analysis using mathematical and statistical methods
• Identify the data features needed to address mission challenges
• Partner with collectors, data scientists, software engineers, and domain experts to design integrated solutions
• Elicit customer needs and translate them into technical implementations
• Document processes, analyses, and results for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to team members
• Transform and deliver high-priority datasets that enable exploitation and analysis for intelligence and cybersecurity missions

Required background and qualifications

• Employment is contingent on successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph
• Relevant experience may include one or more of: data mining, analytical algorithms, software engineering, systems administration, data science, data flow management, designing or implementing machine learning, data management, database design, data architecture, system architecture, or database administration (including developing, maintaining, or troubleshooting)
• ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL: Associate's degree + 2 years relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree with no experience, or Master's degree with no experience
• FULL PERFORMANCE: Associate's degree + 5 years relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree + 3 years relevant experience, or Master's degree + 1 year relevant experience, or Doctoral degree with no experience
• SENIOR: Associate's degree + 8 years relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree + 6 years relevant experience, or Master's degree + 4 years relevant experience, or Doctoral degree + 2 years relevant experience, and experience must include formal or informal leadership
• EXPERT: Associate's degree + 11 years relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree + 9 years relevant experience, or Master's degree + 7 years relevant experience, or Doctoral degree + 5 years relevant experience, and experience must include formal or informal leadership
• Degree must be in one of the following fields: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Science, Information Technology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, Engineering, or Physical Sciences

Technologies

• ETL (extract, transform, load)
• AWS, Azure, GCP
• Python, Perl, R
• JSON, XML

Evaluation areas

• ETL processes, workflow or container orchestration, and cloud solutions (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Database and search technologies, distributed computing, and serverless design patterns
• Experience analyzing or processing large, sparse, or complex bulk datasets
• Understanding of scaling and performance optimization for distributed and cloud systems
• Scripting language proficiency (Python, Perl, R) and programming concepts
• Familiarity with data formats, database architectures, and open-source data engineering tools
• Serialization formats experience such as JSON and XML
• Experience related to signal or image processing, geospatial modeling, or voice or data communications
• Understanding of data science concepts, AI/ML applications, and automation
• Experience working with conflicting, missing, or inconsistent data
• Problem-solving skills and ability to make sound decisions with limited information
• Creativity in generating new ideas, processes, or solutions for complex challenges
• Ability to adapt interpersonal style to accommodate different approaches and perspectives
• Resilience in high-pressure situations
• Experience building collaborative information and knowledge-sharing networks
• Strong oral and written communication tailored for technical and non-technical audiences

Additional role details

• Location: Fort Meade, MD (onsite)
• Telework eligible: No; Remote job: No
• Relocation expenses reimbursed: Yes (may qualify in accordance with agency policy)
• Pay scale & grade: GG 7 - 15
• Appointment type: Permanent
• Occupations and job series: 1550 Computer Science
• Federal service type: Excepted Service
• Supervisory status: No
• Drug test: Yes
• Security clearance: Sensitive Compartmented Information
• Position sensitivity and risk: Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
• Background check type: National security
• Financial disclosure required: No
• Announcement number: 1265423; Control number: 892706100
• Work schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday with basic 8hr/day requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible)
• Travel required: Not required
• Promotion potential: None
• Represented by a union: No

Benefits and employment conditions

• NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package
• Salary offers are based on education level, years of relevant experience, and information from the hiring manager regarding the work level
• Training will be provided based on the selectee’s needs and experience
• Two-year DCIPS trial period is required unless you are veterans’ preference-eligible (then one-year trial period)
• Employment is subject to trial period certification for continued employment advancing the public interest
• Work schedule is Monday through Friday with an 8-hour/day requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible)

Who can apply

• U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales, and evaluation criteria
• Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower, or parent of a veteran, which may include derived preference
• Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty
• Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college, or graduate institution
• Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years (or 6 years for Veterans)
• Individuals eligible under Schedule A

Required documents

• Veterans’ preference documentation may be required if claiming veterans’ preference eligibility, including DD-214 (Copy 4), Certification of Service, SF-15, and other supporting documents as specified
• If relying on education to meet qualification requirements, education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• Failure to provide required documentation may result in ineligible or lower ratings