Engineer/Developer - Software, Hardware, Research (Capabilities Development Specialist)

National Security Agency; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

NSA is seeking a Capabilities Development Specialist (CDS) at Maryland's Fort Meade complex to join a team of computer science and engineering professionals. You will work on developing offensive and defensive capabilities to deliver critical information to national decision makers as part of the worlds most advanced team.

Ideal candidates have strong software or hardware design, development, testing, or reverse engineering skills in C, C++, assembly, FPGA/Verilog, and embedded systems; a

Qualifications

• Degree must be in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or related field; other programs with CS concentration may count.
• Experience in engineering hardware or software lifecycle, programming, vulnerability analysis, or systems engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop exploitation capabilities and analytics for foreign target networks.
• Design hardware components for signals intelligence missions.
• Analyze sophisticated malware and reverse engineer complex files.

Skills

C/C++

Assembly

ARM

Kernel development

Reverse engineering

Malware analysis

Hardware design

Embedded systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Ghidra

JTAG

Oscilloscopes

Verilog/VHDL

Job description

NSA has received approval from the Department of War to hire for specific critical positions during the hiring freeze, per DoW memorandum 'Immediate Civilian Hiring Freeze for Alignment with National Defense Priorities' dated 28 February.

Job Description

Engineer/Developer - Software, Hardware, Research (Capabilities Development Specialist) - Mid to Expert Level (Maryland)

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG, Grade: 11/1 to 15/10
Open: 2026-08-10, Close: 2026-08-23

Job Posting: 1261249

Responsibilities

As a CDS, you will develop custom high-priority offensive and defensive capabilities targeting the hardest-to-reach adversarial networks in the world. You will apply and grow your expertise to create new ways to get critical information to national decision makers as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science and engineering professionals.

• Developing exploitation capabilities and analytics to enable foreign target network collection
• Designing hardware components and systems to further signals intelligence missions
• Analyzing sophisticated malware

Competencies

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); software application vulnerability analysis and exploitation; operating system internals; mobile platform development and analysis; algorithmic analysis; prototyping.
• Malware Reverse Engineering: Advanced malware analysis/reverse engineering of specialized malware/complex files.
• Hardware Specialties: Hardware RE, design, development, or testing and debugging.

Job Summary

If you are passionate about using cutting‑edge technology and developing groundbreaking solutions for seemingly unsolvable problems, NSA needs your expertise. We're looking for computer science or computer/electrical engineering professionals with strong software or hardware design, development, testing or reverse engineering skills to join our team as a Capabilities Development Specialist (CDS). We conduct innovative research and produce hardware and software tools unlike anything in the world to defend the nation.

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).FULL PERFORMANCEEntry 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.SENIOREntry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. An Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.EXPERTEntry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 9 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree plus 5 years of relevant experience. An Associate's degree plus 11 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.

We're looking for candidates with knowledge, skills, and experience in one or more of the following:- Programming in languages such as C, C++ and Java, especially in kernel development and device driver development; network/socket programming and embedded systems development- CISSP, CEH, GREM or GPEN certification.- Assembly language(s)- Hardware design (e.g., FPGA, VHDL, Verilog, PCB)- Hardware Reverse Engineering- RF system design (e.g., DSP, SDR)- Embedded systems development- Software reverse engineering/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, OllyDbg, gdb)- Hardware analysis tools (e.g., JTAG, Oscilloscopes)- Software vulnerability analysis and exploitation

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: $105,262 - $197,200 (Full Performance, Senior, Expert)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' PreferenceIn 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.