Capabilities Development Specialist - Entry Level Maryland

Are you driven by a passion to work at the cutting edge of technology? Do you dream to make the impossible possible? The National Security Agency is seeking highly motivated Computer Science and Computer/Electrical Engineering professionals to drive its mission to develop new capabilities, design new approaches, help solve complex problems, and research new solutions to propel our mission.

As a Capabilities Development Specialist (CDS), your job will be to develop custom high-priority offensive and defensive capabilities targeting the hardest-to-reach adversarial networks in the world. In defense of our Nation, we conduct innovative research and produce hardware and software tools unlike anything in the world. By joining our team, you will apply and grow your expertise to create new ways to get critical information to our national decision makers. Whether it is in software, hardware, or cutting-edge research, if you are up for a challenge, have unbridled curiosity, and a drive to develop tomorrow's technologies and tools today, apply to join our team. Use your unique experiences and expertise to protect national security interests as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science and engineering professionals!

Applicants may be considered for direct placement positions or for the following NSA Development Program: CNODP - Computer Network Operations Development Program

For additional information on development programs please visit: www.intelligencecareers.gov/NSA/nsadevprograms.html For any questions regarding CNODP, please email CNODP@nsa.gov.

If you have interests, skills, or experience in one or more of the following areas, we'd like to hear from you:

• Software Specialties: Strong software development skills (C, C++, Assembly, ARM); Software RE/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, OllyDbg, gdb); Software application vulnerability analysis and exploitation; Operating system internals; Mobile platform development and analysis; algorithmic analysis; prototyping.
• Malware Reverse Engineer: Perform advanced malware analysis/reverse engineering of specialized malware/complex files. CISSP, CEH, GREM, GPEN certifications are a plus.
• Hardware Specialties: - Hardware RE, design, development, or testing (Verilog, VHDL, FPGA, PCB); Testing and debugging tools (JTAG, Oscilloscopes, etc.);

Job roles may include:

• Developing exploitation capabilities and analytics to enable foreign target network collection
• Designing hardware components and systems to further signals intelligence missions
• Analyzing sophisticated malware

When submitting your application, please ensure that you fully populate all sections of the resume tool with all relevant skills, experience, and education, as the resume entered into the tool will be the primary resume used to evaluate your application. Please do NOT populate the resume tool with 'see resume.'

Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended into your Candidate Profile, prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. Minimum qualifications for this position require a degree that demonstrates a concentration of computer science (CS) courses in foundational CS areas.The ideal candidate is someone who thrives on solving hard problems, has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and is able to:

• work independently as well as in a team environment to build solutions
• handle multiple assignments
• synthesize information to solve complex problems
• develop, diagnose, and operate complex computer systems

Additionally, the ideal candidate is someone with knowledge and experience in one or more of the following:

• programming and scripting experience (e.g., C, C++, Assembly, ARM, Python)
• computer networking (e.g., communication protocols, distributed systems, Internet of Things, real-time systems, routing and switching)
• protocol analysis (e.g. Wireshark, tcpdump)
• hardware and software vulnerability analysis
• software reverse engineering/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, IDA Pro, Ollydbg, gdb)
• hardware reverse engineering tools (e.g., JTAG, Oscilloscopes)
• software development life-cycle (design, develop, implementation, debug, testing)
• kernel and device driver development
• network/socket programming
• embedded systems development
• operating systems
• algorithm analysis and design
• reverse engineeringThe qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Degree must be in Computer Science (CS), Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field. Degrees in Information Technology, Information Systems, Information Security, Networking (Systems Administration), Information Assurance, or Cybersecurity 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 upper-level mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics).

Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: engineering hardware or software over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, design, development, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, or systems engineering. Completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course) will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 24-week JCAC course will count as 6 months of experience).

ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. An Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.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 - $123,388 (Entry/Developmental) 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.