Development Program (CNODP) / Capabilities Development Specialist - Entry to Mid Level (Maryland)

National Security Agency; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 87,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

National Security Agency is seeking Computer Science and Computer/Electrical Engineering professionals to drive mission-critical capabilities. The role covers software, hardware, and research, with opportunities to work on high-priority projects across platforms.

As part of the CNODP program, candidates will undergo rotational tours, receive tailored training, and join a cohort of engineers and researchers to build skills for national security challenges.

Qualifications

• Degree in CS, Mathematics, Engineering or related field with foundational CS courses.
• Experience in engineering hardware or software lifecycle including design, development and testing.
• Knowledge of vulnerability analysis, reverse engineering or systems engineering is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-priority offensive/defensive capabilities.
• Conduct research and prototyping for complex problems.
• Analyze and debug software/hardware systems across platforms.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver solutions.

Skills

C

C++

Assembly

ARM

Python

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Coursework in algorithms and computer architecture

Tools

Ghidra

OllyDbg

gdb

Verilog

VHDL

FPGA

PCB

JTAG

Oscilloscopes

Job description

Responsibilities

Are you driven by a passion to work at the cutting edge of technology? Do you dream to make the impossible possible? The National Security Agency is seeking highly motivated Computer Science and Computer/Electrical Engineering professionals to drive its mission to develop new capabilities, design new approaches, help solve complex problems, and research new solutions to propel our mission. As a Capabilities Development Specialist (CDS), your job will be to develop custom high-priority offensive and defensive capabilities targeting the hardest-to-reach adversarial networks in the world. In defense of our Nation, we conduct innovative research and produce hardware and software tools unlike anything in the world. By joining our team, you will apply and grow your expertise to create new ways to get critical information to our national decision makers. Whether it is in software, hardware, or cutting-edge research, if you are up for a challenge, have unbridled curiosity, and a drive to develop tomorrow's technologies and tools today, apply to join our team. Use your unique experiences and expertise to protect national security interests as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science and engineering professionals! Applicants will be considered for the Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP). For additional information on development programs please visit: www.intelligencecareers.gov/NSA/nsadevprograms.html For any questions regarding CNODP, please email [e-mail]. If you have interests, skills, or experience in one or more of the following areas, we'd like to hear from you:

• Software Specialties: Strong software development skills (C, C++, Assembly, ARM); Software RE/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, OllyDbg, gdb); Software application vulnerability analysis and exploitation; Operating system internals; Mobile platform development and analysis; algorithmic analysis; prototyping.
• Malware Reverse Engineer: Perform advanced malware analysis/reverse engineering of specialized malware/complex files. CISSP, CEH, GREM, GPEN certifications are a plus.
• Hardware Specialties:
  • Hardware RE, design, development, or testing (Verilog, VHDL, FPGA, PCB); Testing and debugging tools (JTAG, Oscilloscopes, etc.).
  • Job roles may include:
    • Developing exploitation capabilities and analytics to enable foreign target network collection
    • Designing hardware components and systems to further signals intelligence missions
    • Analyzing sophisticated malware

Job Summary

Are you a computer science or computer/electrical engineering professional? Do you have strong software or hardware design, development, testing or reverse engineering skills? Do you want to be part of a team that develops ground breaking solutions? If so, click here to learn more and apply. 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.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Computer Science (CS), Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field. Degrees in Information Technology, Information Systems, Information Security, Networking (Systems Administration), Information Assurance, or Cybersecurity may be considered relevant if the programs contain, at minimum, a concentration of courses in the following foundational CS areas: algorithms; computer architecture (not network architecture); programming methodologies and languages; data structures; logic and computation; and upper-level mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics). Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: engineering hardware or software over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, design, development, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, or systems engineering. Completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course) will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 24-week JCAC course will count as 6 months of experience). ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. An Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position. FULL PERFORMANCE Entry 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. An Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.

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 - $153,082 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance) 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.

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
• develop, diagnose, and operate complex computer systems

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++, Assembly, ARM, Python)
• computer networking (e.g., communication protocols, distributed systems, Internet of Things, real-time systems, routing and switching)
• protocol analysis (e.g. Wireshark, tcpdump)
• 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
• algorithm analysis and design
• reverse engineering