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COMPUTER SCIENTIST (ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT)
Department of Defense
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
DCSA
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Summary
DCSA Acquisition and Technology, National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) is seeking a Lead Software Architect to engineer enterprise-level software architectures supporting critical national security. The incumbent will drive the shift from waterfall to Agile/MVP releases, establish security controls, govern technical debt, & lead microservices initiatives using the Software Acquisition Pathway. Visit www.dcsa.mil to learn more about DCSA, Americas Gatekeeper!
Learn more about this agency
Summary
DCSA Acquisition and Technology, National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) is seeking a Lead Software Architect to engineer enterprise-level software architectures supporting critical national security. The incumbent will drive the shift from waterfall to Agile/MVP releases, establish security controls, govern technical debt, & lead microservices initiatives using the Software Acquisition Pathway. Visit www.dcsa.mil to learn more about DCSA, Americas Gatekeeper!
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/06/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 6, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Fort Meade, MD
Hanover, MD
Boyers, PA
Quantico, VA
Stafford, VA
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $167,446 - $197,200 per year
Minimum and maximum salary encompasses the 2026 target local market pay for DCIPS STEM/CYBER work roles.
Pay scale & grade
GG 15
Promotion potential None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No
Drug test Yes Security clearance Sensitive Compartmented Information Position sensitivity and risk Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number DCSA-26-12993786-MP Control number 874292400
This job is open to
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Federal employees - Competitive service
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Managements hiring rules and pay scales.
Federal employees - Excepted service
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to: This announcement is open to: Current Federal employees in the competitive and excepted service; Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibles, and Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles.
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Duties
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As a COMPUTER SCIENTIST (ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT) you will be responsible for the following duties:
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
Qualifications
This position has a Basic Requirement for the 1550: Bachelors degree in computer science or bachelors degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.
The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Managements (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: Computer Science Series 1550 for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 07/06/2026
Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.
You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade (GG-14) in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.
Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.
Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience serving as an authoritative technical advisor and lead architect responsible for the strategic planning, engineering, and execution of complex enterprise software architectures; leading multidisciplinary development teams using Agile methodologies and the Software Acquisition Pathway (DODI 5000.87) to shift from traditional waterfall methods to iterative software releases, define Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and implement microservices and Application Program Interface -first initiatives; experience establishing technical debt governance and security controls; aligning emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and data analytics, with organizational Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) policies; and evaluating combined financial and technical programmatic requirements; ability to lead technical working groups, facilitate interagency governance, and deliver authoritative technical briefings to executive-level stakeholders-such as Chief Data and Analytics Office, Office of the Secretary of War, or equivalent senior leadership-to synchronize enterprise architecture strategies with critical national security objectives.
Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies:
Education
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
Additional information
VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.
Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf
Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.
If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.
All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.
For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.
For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.
ACQUISITION POSITION: This position requires a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Practitioner certification in Engineering & Technical Management. Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 5 years (60 months) after entry into this position. For information regarding the DAWIA Back to Basics please visit: Home (dau.edu) or Back to Basics - Helpful Resources (dau.edu)
This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectees inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.
You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the SME Resume Panel review.
EXCEPTED SERVICE PILOT REVIEW: Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration.
You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.
Top ranked candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further review and consideration.
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated ineligible, not qualified.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
All eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required documents
Required Documents
Help
The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc.). Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
The following documents are REQUIRED:
NOTE: Active duty military members are not eligible for appointment unless currently on terminal leave.
PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility:
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Help
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12993786.
Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:
As required by 5 C.F.R. § 302.106., DLA will provide Section 508 conformant ICT to employees with disabilities. All ICT interfaces with the public related to vacancy announcements and career transition opportunities must conform to the applicable requirements in the current ICT Standards and Guidelines (36 C.F.R. § 1194).
Agency contact information
DCSA Servicing Team
Phone 614-693-4444 Email DHRS-DDCSA@dla.mil Address Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
27130 Telegraph Road
Quantico, VA 22134
US
Next steps
Once you successfully complete the application process, you will receive a notification of receipt. Your application package will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and qualifications requirements, and you will receive a notification. A review will be made of your online questionnaire and the documentation you submitted to support your responses. A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.
The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.
REGARDING INTERVIEWS: Interviews may be required for this position. Accommodations may be made to conduct telephonic interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Note: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact for this job announcement. Your requests for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
Required Documents
Help
The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc.). Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
The following documents are REQUIRED:
NOTE: Active duty military members are not eligible for appointment unless currently on terminal leave.
PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility:
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Help
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12993786.
Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:
As required by 5 C.F.R. § 302.106., DLA will provide Section 508 conformant ICT to employees with disabilities. All ICT interfaces with the public related to vacancy announcements and career transition opportunities must conform to the applicable requirements in the current ICT Standards and Guidelines (36 C.F.R. § 1194).
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact information
DCSA Servicing Team
Phone 614-693-4444 Email DHRS-DDCSA@dla.mil Address Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
27130 Telegraph Road
Quantico, VA 22134
US
Next steps
Once you successfully complete the application process, you will receive a notification of receipt. Your application package will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and qualifications requirements, and you will receive a notification. A review will be made of your online questionnaire and the documentation you submitted to support your responses. A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.
The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.
REGARDING INTERVIEWS: Interviews may be required for this position. Accommodations may be made to conduct telephonic interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Note: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact for this job announcement. Your requests for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Expand Hide next steps
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
Additional locations
Stafford, VA
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
Mission Statement
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is a separate Agency of the Department of Defense (DoD) under the direction, authority, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (USD (I&S). The mission of the DCSA is as follows:
Agency contact information
DCSA Servicing Team
Phone 614-693-4444 Email DHRS-DDCSA@dla.mil Address Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
27130 Telegraph Road
Quantico, VA 22134
US
Visit our careers page
Learn more about what its like to work at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.
Summary
DCSA Acquisition and Technology, National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) is seeking a Lead Software Architect to engineer enterprise-level software architectures supporting critical national security. The incumbent will drive the shift from waterfall to Agile/MVP releases, establish security controls, govern technical debt, & lead microservices initiatives using the Software Acquisition Pathway. Visit www.dcsa.mil to learn more about DCSA, Americas Gatekeeper!
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/06/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 6, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Fort Meade, MD
Hanover, MD
Boyers, PA
Quantico, VA
Stafford, VA
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $167,446 - $197,200 per year
Minimum and maximum salary encompasses the 2026 target local market pay for DCIPS STEM/CYBER work roles.
Pay scale & grade
GG 15
Promotion potential None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No
Drug test Yes Security clearance Sensitive Compartmented Information Position sensitivity and risk Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number DCSA-26-12993786-MP Control number 874292400
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