Target Systems Analyst

Intelligence Careers; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

DCIPS trial period

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

National Security Agency (NSA) seeks a Target Systems Analyst at mid to experienced level in Maryland. The role focuses on telemetry signals for defense-related systems, requiring strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Candidates will join a team dedicated to protecting national security through advanced signals analysis. Qualified applicants have engineering/computer science or related technical degrees and relevant experience with signals analysis.

Qualifications

• Degree must be in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, a Physical Science, or a related technical field.
• Relevant experience in signals analysis (COMINT, ELINT, FISINT or PROFORMA).
• Military training programs and related credentials may be considered for entry/senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Reverse engineer telemetry data transmitted by various systems to determine performance characteristics.
• Support the NSA Signals Analysis mission across telemetry and related domains.
• Assess applicability of tools and visualize data to support analytic conclusions.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Effective communication

Education

Engineering/CS/Math/Physical Science degree

Job description

Target Systems Analyst - Mid to Experienced Level (Maryland)

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 11/1 to 14/10
Open: 2026-09-30, Close: 2026-10-03

Job Posting: 1262114

Responsibilities

The professionals at the National Security Agency (NSA) have one common goal: to protect our nation. The mission requires a strong offense and a steadfast defense. The offense collects, processes and disseminates intelligence information derived from foreign signals for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. The defense prevents adversaries from gaining access to sensitive or classified national security information.Depending on education and experience, the following opportunities will apply:Target Systems Analysts (TSAs) are hired into positions directly supporting a technical mission office. The work done by our Analysts is of the utmost importance to National Security and the defense of our Nation. Only the most skilled and dedicated are able to join our team. If you have what it takes please apply and be part of the agency that is on the front line of Modern Warfare.TSAs focus on telemetry signals used in the defense industry that includes spacecraft monitoring, aircraft development, and weapons system testing. Telemetry is used by manned and unmanned spacecraft for various data transmissions including monitoring the health of astronauts as well as the health and status of the actual spacecraft. Telemetry for weapons testing includes monitoring temperatures, vibrations, accelerations, positions and status of various subsystems. Telemetry is also used for range safety related to flight testing to determine flight termination criteria. The role of a TSA is to reverse engineer the telemetry data transmitted by various systems to determine the performance characteristics and capabilities of these systems.

Job Summary

Signals Analysis is a cutting-edge technical discipline that seeks to identify the purpose, content and user(s) of signals. Given today's rapidly evolving global communications, the NSA must maintain and develop a highly talented and diverse workforce of Signals Analysts who are a vital part in maintaining our technical capabilities to use the most sophisticated means to recover, understand, and derive intelligence from all manner of foreign signals.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.Degree must be in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, a Physical Science, or a related technical field. A broader range of degrees will be considered for those who have completed a relevant military training program as listed below.Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: signals analysis (COMINT, ELINT, FISINT or PROFORMA) in the Intelligence Community related to weapons systems, satellite, or electronic signals, or design and engineering of aerospace systems, one or more year of which must be outside of a development/training program.FULL PERFORMANCEEntry is with a degree (Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate) plus 3 years of relevant experience. The following may be considered for individuals with experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience; OR completion of relevant military training, for example, 9141 (Navy Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 1N2A (Air Force Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 451/461 (Intermediate Signals Analysis) 452 (Advanced Signals Analysis), or Military Signals Analysis Program (MSAP), plus 5 years of relevant experience. SENIOREntry is with a degree (Bachelor's, Masters or Doctorate) plus 6 years of relevant experience. The following may be considered for individuals with experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience; OR completion of relevant military training, for example, 9141 (Navy Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 1N2A (Air Force Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 451/461 (Intermediate Signals Analysis) 452 (Advanced Signals Analysis), or Military Signals Analysis Program (MSAP), plus 8 years of relevant experience.

The ideal candidate is someone with a desire for continual learning and strong problem-solving, analytic and interpersonal skills who is/can:- accountable- flexible- resilient- communicate effectively- collaborate with othersSpecialized skills and experience in one or more of the following is desired:- aero engineering or mechanical engineering degrees with some aero/space/telemetry/weapons experience- applying specialized tools and computer-based programs to process data for analytic problems- assessing applicability of available tools to various situations- combining analytics, tools, and visualization to support analysis- interpreting output of specialized tools and computer-based programs- programming / script development- weapon system design or testing- telemetry system design or implementationNOTE: A copy of your unofficial transcript is highly encouraged to be submitted with your application to expedite processing.

• 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.

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 - $192,764 (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.

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.