Special Agent: Engineering Background

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 94,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, DC seeks a Special Agent with a strong analytical mindset to investigate cyber, fraud and violent crime threats. You will translate data into actionable insights and work across agencies to protect public safety.

The role requires US citizenship, ability to obtain a Top Secret SCI clearance, and a bachelor’s degree (engineering preferred). This challenging career offers growth, competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. accredited college (engineering preferred).
• All degrees must be verified by submitting college transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct investigations of potential violations of federal laws, cybersecurity, and public safety.
• Exercise judgment, resourcefulness, and versatility in meeting investigative demands.
• Create and maintain effective liaison relationships with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international law enforcement agencies.
• Maintain a level of physical fitness to ensure the readiness required to perform law enforcement duties.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Data analysis

Research skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree (engineering or related field)

Job description

The position advertised has been exempted from the federal civilian hiring freeze.

As an FBI special agent, your career is defined by how you think, analyze, and act in moments that directly impact national security. By harnessing your background to transition into federal law enforcement, you can help shape the Bureau’s approach to investigate violent crimes. At the FBI, you will have the opportunity to leverage your skills to protect against cyberattacks, terrorism, fraud, and evolving threats. Using your analytical skills, data analysis capabilities, attention to detail, and experience working with complex data, you will identify patterns, uncover critical information, and support investigations that address threats to public safety.

Your transition from a specialized career into the special agent role is designed to expand how your expertise is applied, encouraging you to think critically, and operate across a range of complex scenarios. Every day brings new challenges that demand adaptability and resilience, but you’re not alone on this journey. The Bureau matches your dedication with a commitment to professional growth, competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment that provides the flexibility and resources needed to maintain balance. This is an opportunity to build a career that evolves with you, one where your skills continue to grow as your impact expands. Set yourself apart.

How Your Engineering Background Translates to a Special Agent Career

Special is who you are. Agent is what you’ll become.

At the FBI, that foundation becomes something more. What you’ve learned to recognize as data, patterns, or signals becomes evidence. What you’ve mastered within your field becomes insight. What you’ve supported becomes something you’re trusted to own. This is where your background becomes a starting point, and your career shifts from contributing to the work to determining what happens next.

SALARY LEVEL

Pay level for this position:

• $93,749.00 - $133,200.00

Salary is commensurate with base, locality, and availability pay.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Plan and conduct investigations of potential violations of federal laws, cybersecurity, and public safety.
• Exercise judgment, resourcefulness, and versatility in meeting investigative demands.
• Create and maintain effective liaison relationships with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international law enforcement agencies.
• Maintain a level of physical fitness to ensure the readiness required to perform law enforcement duties.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.
• Must be willing to travel as required.
• Must meet the FBI’s Employment Eligibility requirements.

EDUCATION

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or higher (preferably in engineering or related field) from a U.S. accredited college or university.

All degrees must be verified by submitting college transcripts.

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex, pregnancy and related conditions, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other nonmerit factors.