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

NSA; Fort Meade, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

NSA is seeking candidates for a developmental program in computer science with emphasis on problem solving, software design, and cryptanalytic work. The role involves building scalable analytic applications, prototyping, and debugging complex systems in a multidisciplinary environment.

Entry/developmental level requires a CS/CE/Math concentration and coursework in core CS/Math areas; strong analytical and teamwork skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering or Mathematics.
• Programs must include courses in 4 of: algorithms; computer architecture; logic and computation; programming methodologies and languages; data structures; mathematics or statistics.

Responsibilities

• Create analytic applications that scale across large data sets from disparate sources.
• Leverage open source, commercial off-the-shelf, and government software.
• Analyze user requirements related to software design and build prototypes.
• Design, develop and debug software applications and data-driven solutions.
• Troubleshoot and debug code and identify cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
• Develop methods/algorithms for data modeling, analysis and analytics.
• Explore cryptanalytic, high-performance computing, and network problem spaces.

Skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Mathematics

Tools

C

C++

Java

Python

Ghidra

IDA Pro

OllyDbg

gdb

Wireshark

Job description

Responsibilities

Applicants selected for interview as a result of this ad will be invited to attend an in-person interview event. Please apply to this ad only if you are available to attend an in-person interview.

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.

• 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

Minimum qualifications for this position require a specific degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science and Math courses.

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

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: $87,362 - $123,388 (Entry/Developmental) 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.

Skills

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