Development Program (C2DP) / Cryptanalytic Computer Scientist

Intelligence Careers; Fort Meade (MD); Presencial; USD 65 000 - 90 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Rotational program

Resumo da oferta

NSA invites applicants to join its Development Program (C2DP) for entry-level cryptanalytic computer scientists. The program features three-year rotations across Agency Directorates to build core skills in CS and math, with tailored training and cohort-based assignments.

Minimum qualifications focus on a CS/Math concentration. The role emphasizes problem-solving, teamwork, and the development of advanced software and cryptanalytic capabilities in a national security context.

Qualificações

• Degree must be in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or Mathematics.
• Programs may count if they include 4 of the CS/Math areas listed.
• Relevant experience may include cryptanalysis, data science, or network operations.
• Entry level is with an Associate's degree plus 2 years, or a Bachelor's degree with no experience.

Responsabilidades

• Create analytic applications that scale across large, disparate data sets.
• Leverage OSS, COTS, and government software in solutions.
• Analyze user requirements related to software/system design.
• Build prototypes and develop, debug, and optimize software.
• Identify customer needs and validate product designs.
• Perform cryptanalysis, high-performance computing, and cyber analysis tasks.

Conhecimentos

Cryptanalysis

Algorithms

Data structures

Programming languages

Communication

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Math

Associate's degree + 2 years experience

Ferramentas

Ghidra

IDA Pro

OllyDbg

GDB

Wireshark

tcpdump

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Development Program (C2DP) / Cryptanalytic Computer Scientist - Entry Level (Maryland)

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD

Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 07/1 to 09/10

Open: 2026-10-09, Close: 2026-10-11

Job Posting: 1263613

Responsibilities

• creating analytic applications that scale across multiple, very large, data sets from disparate sources
• leveraging and integrating open source, commercial off-the-shelf, and government developed software
• analyzing user/customer requirements related to software and/or software system design
• building software prototypes
• designing, developing, and debugging software applications
• troubleshooting and debugging computer code
• applying mathematical or computational methods and lines of reasoning to complex software systems
• identifying target communications within the global network
• designing and optimizing algorithms, data structures, modeling, and analytics to solve real-world scientific problems
• solving cryptanalytic, high-performance computing, and computer network problems
• leading new advances in computer science, such as:
• microprocessor-based advances
• beyond the horizon supercomputers
• signals processing (including analog control)
• user interfaces
• deep learning
• cybersecurity
• design and implementation of encryption
• advanced algorithms
• detecting, identifying, and evaluating vulnerabilities in cyberspace systems and/or networks
• developing software and/or hardware exploitation capabilities that enable collection of foreign intelligence from target networks and systems
• analyzing sophisticated malware to thwart cyber-attacks and identify new threats
• developing methods and applications for tools to exploit and analyze computer systems

Job Summary

NSA's development programs help employees enhance their skills and improve their understanding of a specific discipline. The programs are generally three years long and feature rotational tours throughout the Agency. Designed for entry to mid-level employees, development program participants are afforded the opportunity to receive tailored training, often with a cohort, and multiple assignments across Agency Directorates to develop skills and experience to ground their career at the NSA. Minimum qualifications for this position require a specific degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science and Math courses.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Mathematics. Related fields (for example, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, Physics, or Statistics) may be considered relevant if the programs contain, at minimum, courses in 4 of the following 6 Computer Science/Math areas: algorithms; computer architecture (not network architecture); logic and computation; programming methodologies and languages; data structures; and mathematics (calculus or above) or statistics. Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: cryptanalysis, computer science, computer network operations, ethical hacking, math, statistics, data science, engineering, programming, or hands on experience in network domains and operating systems. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTALEntry is with an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and no experience.

The ideal candidate is someone who thrives on solving hard problems, has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and is able to:

• work independently as well as in a team environment to build solutions
• handle multiple assignments
• synthesize information to solve complex problems
• apply knowledge of data structures and algorithms to software engineering problems
• develop, diagnose, and operate complex computer systems
• identify customer needs and validate product design

Additionally, the ideal candidate is someone with knowledge and experience in one or more of the following:

• programming and scripting experience (e.g., C, C++, Java, Assembly, Python, Perl, Ruby, Bash, Node.js, Spark, Puppet, SALT, KAFKA, HADOOP, VHDL, Verilog)
• building user facing services, middleware, and backend systems
• full-stack development
• protocol analysis (e.g. Wireshark, tcpdump)
• data spaces, data modeling, data analysis, storage design, and administration
• simulation/model development & prototyping
• information retrieval, machine learning, artificial intelligence, statistics and analytics
• hardware and software vulnerability analysis
• software reverse engineering/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, IDA Pro, Ollydbg, gdb)
• hardware reverse engineering tools (e.g., JTAG, Oscilloscopes)
• software development life-cycle (design, develop, implementation, debug, testing)
• kernel and device driver development
• network/socket programming
• embedded systems development
• operating systems
• computational science
• algorithm analysis and design
• reverse engineering
• cryptanalysis
• high performance computing

Pay

Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position