Systems Engineer - Mid to Expert Level (Maryland)

Summary

As a System Engineer, you will apply your expertise to develop and improve systems and tools that enable intelligence operations, upholding rigorous engineering and scientific standards. With opportunities spanning cybersecurity, engineering, computer science, and more, you will utilize your skills to drive innovation and make a meaningful impact in protecting the nation.

Duties

As a Systems Engineer (SE) with the National Security Agency, you will help shape the future of national security systems by designing, integrating, and optimizing complex technologies that directly affect mission outcomes. In this challenging environment, innovation and critical thinking are essential as you work to safeguard the nation's most sensitive information through cutting edge solutions. Our SEs collaborate with system architects, mission customers, and key stakeholders to guide technical direction, ensuring projects meet operational requirements and align with strategic priorities. Key responsibilities include: - System Design and Integration: Spearhead the development of system architectures, ensuring seamless integration and functionality across diverse platforms. - Project Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams through the full project lifecycle, from concept through delivery. You will manage project timelines, budgets, and quality metrics to ensure mission success. - Technical Oversight: Provide expert guidance on technical issues and oversee the implementation of engineering best practices to enhance system reliability and performance. - Risk Management: Identify and mitigate technical risks through thorough analysis and proactive planning. Your insights will be crucial in maintaining the resiliency of our systems. - Mentoring and Collaboration: Foster a collaborative and continuous improvement environment through mentoring junior engineers and promoting knowledge-sharing within the team. Valuable expertise in fields like cybersecurity, SIGINT, electrical or computer engineering, physics, computer science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, network architecture, IT infrastructure, and hybrid communications will be leveraged to drive the development of next-generation technologies, tackling the nation's toughest challenges and supporting NSA's global mission. Risk and mitigation management is also a critical aspect for our system engineers who will have oversight on system security, particularly in a Zero Trust environment, reliability, resiliency, data integrity, compliance, regulations, operational efficiency, and user experience. By maintaining oversight on these areas, System Engineers can significantly reduce risks and ensure the reliability, security, and efficiency of the systems they manage. MID-CAREER SYSTEMS ENGINEERS Mid-career systems engineers have experience leading systems engineering efforts and are ready to apply or expand that knowledge within the Intelligence Community. These engineers have experience in specific lifecycle phases, as well as an understanding of the full lifecycle. They develop their expertise, grow their breadth of knowledge, and mentor the next generation of systems engineers. Mid-career systems engineers come from a wide variety of experiences such as Cybersecurity, SIGINT, telecommunications, and systems of systems or networking infrastructure. These professionals are adept at communicating with technical teams and making recommendations to senior leadership that drive mission initiatives. They collaborate with senior engineers on system integration and testing, and develop and maintain technical documentation. SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEERS Seasoned professionals drive the Agency's largest and most challenging technical projects to ensure success. These engineers participate in technical decision-making or function in an advisory role. Working in collaborative teams, they lead technical teams and define and manage technical requirements throughout the product lifecycle. They identify and manage technical program risk; evaluate architectural design for efficiency improvements; and capture, analyze, and recommend updates to the enterprise and mission architectures to ensure resiliency. Senior Systems Engineers design and implement large-scale systems and architectures, and oversee system integration and testing. They develop and maintain technical roadmaps and strategies, while understanding the technical implications of different design choices and architectural decisions. Staying up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, Senior Systems Engineers provide technical guidance and oversight to ensure that systems are designed and built to meet business and operational requirements. They identify potential technical risks and opportunities, and mentor other systems engineers in their tradecraft, laying the foundation for future successes.

Qualifications and evaluation

Technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: - Cybersecurity, SIGINT, telecommunications, computer science, data management and processing. - Knowledge of system network architectures, frameworks, and enterprise standards. Expert-level knowledge of: - System design, Architecture, Integration Familiarity with systems engineering practices and concepts, including: - Experience with systems engineering principles and methodologies - Technology/system readiness assessment - Modeling and simulation - Security design engineering - Test evaluation and integration Certifications - Systems Engineering (e.g. DAWIA, INCOSE) is beneficial - DAWIA certification is required to be obtained within two years

How to apply

Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1261129

Required documents

**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.

Additional information

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.