Research Scientist / Computer Systems Researcher

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

Job summary

National Security Agency seeks Research Scientists to push the boundaries of computer science in a Maryland-based role at Fort Meade. The position covers AI/ML, cyber security, software engineering, and HPC, with opportunities to publish and collaborate with academia and industry.

The role requires strong technical and communication skills, the ability to work in dynamic teams, and a track record of turning research ideas into prototype-grade systems.

Qualifications

• Degree must be in Computer Science (CS) or Computer Engineering (CE).
• Experience in computer systems research, software design, machine learning, data science, high performance computing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct scientific experiments, document results, and communicate with colleagues and decision makers.
• Train, test, and deploy machine learning models.
• Evaluate trustworthiness of AI/ML models.
• Apply software engineering to design and develop applications.
• Design and optimize algorithms and data structures for real-world problems.
• Develop methods to exploit and analyze computer systems and network vulnerabilities.
• Prototype high performance computing systems and architectures.

Skills

Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Python

C++

Rust

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

Tools

SAT solvers

Theorem provers

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

Research Scientist / Computer Systems Researcher - Mid to Expert Level (Maryland)

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 11/1 to 15/10
Open: 2026-08-28, Close: 2026-09-10

Job Posting: 1261911

Responsibilities

NSA Research Scientists are actively expanding the boundaries of what can be accomplished with artificial intelligence, machine learning, human-machine teaming, software reverse engineering, vulnerability discovery, data science, novel architectures, cyber security, high performance computing, and computational linguistics. Our experts generalize mission problems, advance the scientific state-of-the-art to solve problems, and work with other NSA organizations to get solutions in front of mission users and decision-makers. Our researchers also have the opportunity to collaborate regularly with the scientific community, academia, industry, and other government laboratories; publish papers on unclassified aspects of our work in scientific journals and at conferences; transfer NSA technology to the marketplace through open source software releases and public-private partnerships; serve as faculty members at local universities; and participate in university and K-12 STEM outreach activities across the country. The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate sound judgement, strong technical skills and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic team environment, as well as independently. Excellent oral and written communication skills, and a proven track record of analyzing and solving technical problems with innovative solutions are also preferred. The candidate should have demonstrated success in conducting Computer Science or Mathematics research to include turning research ideas into running prototype-grade systems.

• Conducting scientific experiments, documenting results, and communicating with colleagues, customers, and decision makers
• Training, testing, and deploying machine learning models
• Evaluating the trustworthiness of artificial Intelligence and machine learning models
• Applying software engineering principles to design and/or develop software applications
• Designing and optimizing algorithms, data structures, modeling, and analytics to solve real-world scientific problems
• Using principles, techniques, procedures, and tools to architect and facilitate the development of hardware solutions
• Developing methods and applications for tools to exploit and analyze computer systems and network vulnerabilities
• Modeling, simulating, prototyping, and/or benchmarking high performance computing systems
• Developing and implementing approaches to increase the productivity and/or efficiency of high performance computers
• Investigating and validating the security properties claimed by confidential computing mechanisms and architectures
• Advancing the understanding and capabilities for flexible, layered integrity measurement and attestation architectures and mechanisms
• Research, design, and prototype novel approaches to operating system, hypervisor, or firmware security
• Applying machine learning models to perform enhanced monitoring and anomaly detection on embedded systems' network communications to include IoT devices using Bluetooth and other wireless IoT protocols
• Identifying and analyzing vulnerabilities in software, hardware, and network systems using vulnerability discovery techniques such as emulation, reverse engineering, and fuzzing
• Researching tools and techniques to aid in the analysis, design, and verification of software and systems, primarily by means of formal modeling and specification amenable to automated analysis, leveraging extensive experience with computer reasoning tools (SAT solvers, theorem provers, etc.)

Job Summary

Are you looking to apply your computer science and other technical expertise to develop technologies and tools and be a part of cutting edge innovations? Come join our team of experts! NSA is in search of Research Scientists and Senior Research Scientists to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches and research new solutions to make the U.S. and its allies safer and more secure. Help protect national security interests as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science professionals.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Computer Science (CS) or Computer Engineering (CE). Other STEM fields (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics, or Information Systems (IS)) 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 advanced mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics).

Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: computer systems research, simulation/model development and prototyping, software design, programming, computational science, algorithm analysis and design, reverse engineering, designing/developing computer or information systems, including engineering hardware or software, machine learning, artificial intelligence, visualization, human-computer interaction, data science, or high performance computing.

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.

SENIOR
Entry 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.

EXPERT
Entry 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.

Candidates with experience in cybersecurity, computer network defense, software analysis, vulnerability discovery and countermeasures, software development and debugging, network protocols, automated reasoning, and those with expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) are strongly encouraged to apply. Relevant experience in content processing, content triage, and human centered AI involving multimodal data, to include: speech, image, video or text processing and/or data science, applied machine learning or artificial intelligence across the disciplines of Human Language Technology (HLT), Computer Vision (CV), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Natural Language Understanding (NLU). Additionally, applicants with experience in visualization, data analysis, machine learning model research, development, and evaluation, data engineering, multilingual and multimodal modeling, automatic speech recognition (ASR) or language modeling, large language models (LLM) or related topics are strongly especially encouraged to apply. Candidates with knowledge, skills and experience in high performance computing are also strongly encouraged to apply; in particular, processor and system architectures and networks, memory, tasking (accelerators, parallelism, resource management, heterogeneous computing), productivity (systems modeling & simulation, evaluation, prototyping and benchmarking), scalable algorithms, programming languages (Python, C++, Rust) and libraries, and hardware-software co-design. Candidates with knowledge and experience in future telecommunication networks (5G/6G), IoT security, device management, machine learning technologies, Linux or Windows programming and debugging, software design and development, virtualization/containers, Cloud, Trusted Computing, and other specialized computer platforms are strongly encouraged to apply.

Desired Skills:
Applicants should have excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills, and possess a range of knowledge and experience in at least two of the following areas:
- Programming (low level, high level, parallel)
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Foundation models (FMs) (Large Language Models (LLMs), as well as models for other modalities)
- Simulation/model development and prototyping
- Software engineering
- Hardware engineering
- Architectures and Distributed Computing
- Algorithm analysis and design
- Reverse engineering
- Operating systems and/or device driver development (desktop/server/RTOS)
- Cybersecurity/Computer Network Defense
- Trustworthy systems
- Computer and network security
- Telecommunication systems

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.

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.