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

CNSS • National Security Systems; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

NSA seeks entry to mid-level Computer Scientists for its development programs. Participants work on analytic applications spanning large data sets, using a mix of OSS, commercial, and government software. The role emphasizes solving hard problems and includes rotations across agency directorates to build broad skills.

Developments programs last about three years, with tailored training and opportunities in cryptanalysis, high-performance computing, and cybersecurity to ground a career at the NSA.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a degree concentration in Computer Science and Math with specific course coverage.
• Relevant experience can include cryptanalysis, cybersecurity, data science, and software engineering.
• Entry programs accept an Associate's degree with 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree with no experience.
• Ideal candidates thrive at solving hard problems and have strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Create analytic applications spanning large, disparate data sets.
• Leverage OSS, commercial, and government software in development.
• Analyze user requirements and design software systems.
• Build prototypes and robust software applications.
• Debug, optimize, and improve software performance.
• Identify target communications within global networks and solve complex problems.
• Lead advances in computer science including AI, cybersecurity, and advanced algorithms.

Skills

cryptanalysis

computer science

computer network operations

ethical hacking

math

statistics

data science

engineering

programming

network security

Education

Associate's degree + 2 years experience

Bachelor's degree, no experience

Tools

C

C++

Java

Assembly

Python

Perl

Ruby

Bash

Node.js

Spark

Puppet

KAFKA

HADOOP

VHDL

Verilog

Job description

Application Information

• Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended into your candidate profile, prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. Minimum qualifications for this position require a specific degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science and Math courses.** 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/DEVELOPMENTAL

Entry is with an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and no experience.

NSA's mission requires persistent engagement to anticipate and understand complex threats in real-time, on a global scale. Our Computer Scientists face technical challenges well beyond the wildest imaginations of most people. NSA's Computer Science community creates novel, cutting-edge solutions that advance science and underpin every aspect of our foreign intelligence and cybersecurity missions. Solving these extraordinary problems provides tremendous benefit to our Nation.

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.

Applicants will be considered for the Cryptanalytic Computer Network Operations Development Program (C2DP).

For additional information on development programs please visit: www.intelligencecareers.gov/NSA/nsadevprograms.html

For any questions regarding the C2DP, please email [e-mail].

As an NSA development program participant your responsibilities may include:

• 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
• Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended into your candidate profile, prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. Minimum qualifications for this position require a specific degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science and Math courses.** 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