Industrial Control System Specialist - Entry to Experienced Level (MD, TX, UT)

National Security Agency Inc; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 87,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

National Security Agency (NSA) seeks ICS Specialists/Engineers to design, build, and operate sophisticated electrical and mechanical infrastructure with 24/7 FCC oversight. Responsibilities span D&E and O&M lifecycle, including design reviews, cost estimates, and ISIS cybersecurity integration.

The role emphasizes power monitoring, energy management, and IT/OT coordination to maintain mission-critical operations.

Qualifications

• Degree in a STEM field (e.g., Engineering, IT) or related.
• Relevant experience in industrial or commercial control systems or IT/OT operations.
• Progression through Entry/Developmental to Senior levels with required years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, construction, commissioning and operation of electrical/mechanical infrastructure.
• Develop and review designs, specifications, and cost estimates for power monitoring and control.
• Coordinate with IT/OT and FCC for 24/7 monitoring and secure operation.
• Support ICS commissioning, testing, and integration across life-cycle stages.

Skills

Industrial Control Systems

OT/IT integration

Power monitoring

Cybersecurity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or IT

Tools

DCS/SCADA

PLC programming

Modbus/BACnet/SNMP

Job description

Responsibilities

The National Security Agency (NSA) currently has opportunities for highly motivated Industrial Control System (ICS) Specialists/Engineers to provide expertise in the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of new and renovated electrical and mechanical infrastructure. This position has two areas of focus, one within Design and Engineering (D&E) and the other with Operations and Maintenance (O&M). As an IC S Specialist/Engineer within D&E, you will work closely with multidisciplinary teams encompassing project managers, stakeholders, and contractors throughout the entirety of the project life‑cycle, including close coordination with O&M. You will also be responsible for the development and review of designs, specifications, technical reports, and cost estimates for power monitoring and control of electrical and mechanical infrastructure, energy management monitoring, and ISIS cybersecurity. As an IC S Specialist/Engineer within O&M, you will work closely with IC S Specialists who support many facets of the Industrial Control Systems in the Facilities Control Center (FCC), which is a 24/7 operations center where facilities systems can be effectively monitored and maintained. The IC S team supports power monitoring and control, energy management monitoring and control, the transport network and various Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) hardware, components, software, and applications to ensure a robust secure operation of the overall system.

Responsibilities

The National Security Agency (NSA) currently has opportunities for highly motivated Industrial Control System (ICS) Specialists/Engineers to provide expertise in the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of new and renovated electrical and mechanical infrastructure. This position has two areas of focus, one within Design and Engineering (D&E) and the other with Operations and Maintenance (O&M). As an IC S Specialist/Engineer within D&E, you will work closely with multidisciplinary teams encompassing project managers, stakeholders, and contractors throughout the entirety of the project life‑cycle, including close coordination with O&M. You will also be responsible for the development and review of designs, specifications, technical reports, and cost estimates for power monitoring and control of electrical and mechanical infrastructure, energy management monitoring, and ISIS cybersecurity. As an IC S Specialist/Engineer within O&M, you will work closely with IC S Specialists who support many facets of the Industrial Control Systems in the Facilities Control Center (FCC), which is a 24/7 operations center where facilities systems can be effectively monitored and maintained. The IC S team supports power monitoring and control, energy management monitoring and control, the transport network and various Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) hardware, components, software, and applications to ensure a robust secure operation of the overall system.

Job Summary

NSA is in need of skilled/experienced Industrial Control System (ICS) Specialists/Engineers to ensure the proper operation and cybersecurity of NSA's and Department of War (DoW) IC S, from concept to operation.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related STEM field (for example, Building Automation Systems, Control Systems, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Computer Security). Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: industrial or commercial control systems; information technology or information systems; or in the operation, maintenance, design, or modification of facilities-related control systems. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL Entry is with an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and no experience. FULL PERFORMANCE Entry is with an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or 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. SENIOR Entry is with an Associate's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant 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 - $192,764 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior) 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.

Skills

NSA MD is seeking IC S Specialists with a focus on Building Automation Systems/Energy Management Control Systems (EMCS) and knowledge/skills in the following areas: - IC S Operational Technology (OT) devices - Provide support around mechanical equipment control and monitoring systems. The candidate should be knowledgeable about or interested in learning about Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) programming. Knowledge of the protocols used by these devices, including Modbus, BACnet, and SNMP, with the ability to provide oversight of IC S commissioning of various types of mechanical equipment programming with OT devices is desired. - IC S Building Automation - Provide support to a variety of technical areas that include HVAC, Direct Expansion (DX) units, and chilled and hot water distribution systems, coordination of utility outages that impact the IC S and minimize disruptions to mission systems and support of the IC S installation and oversight of IC S commissioning. Knowledge or interest in learning about the field of building automation and the variety of components used by such systems is preferred. This includes mechanical equipment and devices such as Direct Digital Controls (DDC), DDC Logic, seniors, and end devices such as, but not limited to Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), dampers, actuators, Variable Air Volume (VAV), Fan Power Boxes (FPBs), Constant Volume Air Systems (CV) and various types of valves. Candidates should also be knowledgeable in Humidity and Dehumidification control. NSA TX and UT are seeking IC S Specialists with a focus on Information Technology (IT)/Operational Technology (OT) and knowledge/skills in the following areas: - Information Technology (IT) Management - The candidate should be knowledgeable about or interested in learning about Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM), Microsoft Active Directory (AD), and similar tools used for managing access controls, patch deployments, configuring policies, troubleshooting application issues, and developing/deploying software images. - IC S Power Control and Operational Technology (OT) devices - Provide support in the area of electrical power control and monitoring systems also known as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. The candidate should be knowledgeable about or interested in learning about electrical power systems, configuring Schweitzer protective relays, oversight of IC S commissioning, integrating power devices into Real-Time Automation Controllers (RTAC) as well as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) programming. Knowledge of the protocols used by these devices, including mirrored bits, Modbus, DNP3, and SNMP, is desired. - IC S Building Automation - Provide support to a variety of technical areas that include HVAC and chilled water distribution systems, coordination of utility outages that impact the IC S and to minimize disruptions to mission systems and support of the IC S installation and oversight of IC S commissioning. Knowledge or interest in learning about the field of building automation and the variety of components used by such systems is preferred. This includes devices such as Direct Digital Controls (DDC), DDC Logic, seniors, and end devices such as, but not limited to Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), dampers, actuators, and valves. Support for Industrial Control Systems requires a variety of skills. The successful candidate shall have knowledge/skills in at least one of the above/following areas and the drive and passion to master many of these functions: - Networking Technologies - The candidate should be knowledgeable about or interested in learning about configuring and troubleshooting Cisco switches and routers. Knowledge of and experience in routing protocols, Port Security, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), Domain Authentication, and VLANs is desired. Additionally, knowledge of best security practices is desired. - Firewalls - The candidate should be knowledgeable about or interested in learning about Cisco firewalls, including Firewall Management Center (FMC) for deployment and management of firewalls. - Information Technology (IT) Management - The candidate should be knowledgeable about or interested in learning about Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM), Microsoft Active Directory (AD), and similar tools used for managing access controls, patch deployments, configuring policies, troubleshooting application issues, and developing/deploying software images. - Network Security - The candidate should be knowledgeable about or interested in learning about multiple topics including, but not limited to, System Information and Event Management (SIEM), including creating anomalies alert dashboards; management of Antivirus (AV) and malware protection; access controls to include Identification, Authentication, Authorization, and Accountability (IAAA), as well as Multifactor Authentication (MFA); cybersecurity framework and policies; Network Discovery and asset management; Network Intrusion Prevention and Detection Systems (IPS/IDS); IC S/SCADA network protocol and vulnerability analysis; IC S/SCADA recovery & mitigation and signature development and implementation; and network penetration testing. A working knowledge of assessment and analytic tools and techniques is a plus. In addition, the candidate shall adapt work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, emergencies or unexpected challenges. Have the ability to articulate viewpoints and answers to customers, peers, and supervisors in an effective manner, both written and orally. Identify and analyze technical issues, report, document, and attend project status briefings. Knowledgeable with calendar scheduling, MS Outlook, MS Word/Excel and office equipment such as copiers, printers and scanners. The ideal candidate demonstrates the following: - Problem Solving - Interpersonal Skills - Partnering - Customer Service - Accountability - Continual Learning - Resilience - Effective Communication Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following is desired: - Reliable power distribution design (high voltage, medium voltage, low voltage) - Substation and generators plant relay protection and control systems - Codes and standards (NFPA, IEEE, etc.) - Technical modeling and simulation software packages (AutoCAD, ETAP, SKM, EasyPower, PowerWorld, etc.) - Cost estimating - Commissioning: Factory witness testing, functional performance testing, integrated system testing, and ANSI Level 4 and 5 commissioning requirements - Building Automation System programming control logic - Creating and modifying Building Automation System graphics - Third party integration via BACnet/Modbus protocols - Managing and securing network infrastructure (e.g. port security, certificate management, etc.) - Applying concepts, principles, and methods for network connectivity (e.g. routing, switching, tunneling, and IP addressing) - Configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting firewalls and access control lists. - Implementing, configuring, and sustaining computer security (e.g. Active Directory, Domain Policies, Patch Deployment, Antivirus, and Allowlisting) - Employing Secure Technical Implementation Guidance (STIG) and government security standards. - Configuring and supporting Schweitzer Real Time Automation Controllers (RTAC) - Evaluating and documenting PLC programs for electrical power control - Creating and modifying SCADA system graphics and points - Equipment: Transformers, switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), and Static Transfer Switches (STS) - Controls and metering: SCADA, power metering, and electrical control systems - Assisting project teams throughout the project life-cycle - Configuring firewall rulesets and troubleshooting issues - Computer network defense and forensic capability awareness and use - Industrial Control Systems network defense experience a plus - Red and Blue team activities - Computer network monitoring and forensic experience