Computer Systems Architect - Mid to Experienced Level (MD TX)

U.S. Department of Defense
  • fort meade, MD
  • $105,262–$192,764 Per Year
2 days ago

Job Description

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Computer Systems Architect - Mid to Experienced Level (MD TX)

Department of Defense

National Security Agency/Central Security Service

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  • Summary
  • This job is open to
  • Duties
  • Requirements
  • How you will be evaluated
  • Required documents
  • How to apply

Summary

The Computer Architect is responsible for planning, designing, and governing the architecture of enterprise computing systems that support the mission, operations, and strategic objectives of the agency. This position provides technical leadership in the development of secure, scalable, resilient, and interoperable information technology solutions that comply with federal laws, regulations, and government-wide architecture standards.

Learn more about this agency

Summary

The Computer Architect is responsible for planning, designing, and governing the architecture of enterprise computing systems that support the mission, operations, and strategic objectives of the agency. This position provides technical leadership in the development of secure, scalable, resilient, and interoperable information technology solutions that comply with federal laws, regulations, and government-wide architecture standards.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Location

Many vacancies in the following locations:

Fort Meade, MD

San Antonio, TX

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes-You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Salary $105,262 - $192,764 per year Pay scale & grade

GG 11 - 14

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

  • 0132 Intelligence

Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No

Drug test Yes Security clearance Top Secret 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

  • National security

Financial disclosure required Yes

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number 1263095 Control number 886794500

This job is open to

Help

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Videos

Duties

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Computer Systems Architects at NSA use commercial and government-developed hardware, software, networking, and security products to design, develop, and optimize the structure and performance of computer systems and computing platforms.

Responsibilities may include:

  • Modernize IT architecture through analysis of research and introducing changes based on evolving project requirements by designing, developing, and optimizing the structure and performance of computer systems and computing platforms
  • Integrate industry trends, by evaluating and selecting emerging technologies to improve system performance, scalability, reliability, and efficiency through technologies and standards and new vendor features
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, standards and new vendor features, while supporting research and development efforts for new technologies, networking solutions, virtualization, cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities
  • Collaborate with experts in technical and application teams to identify, evaluate and recommend technical solutions to support project requirements
  • Produce compliance results for established project requirements and IT architecture while ensuring systems architecture meet security, reliability, availability and regulatory compliance requirements
  • Define and analyze data requirements, mapping legacy data stores and formats to logical and physical data models, review technical designs providing guidance on architectural best practices
  • Propose standard ways for information transport between IT systems and stored within corporate knowledge databases
  • Perform architectural alignment of the enterprise logical data model and physical data models, while supporting capacity planning and long-term infrastructure strategy to accommodate organizational growth
  • Create technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and design specifications for stakeholders and development teams
  • Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineering teams

Multiple opportunities are available in the following Areas of Specialization (AOS):

AOS: Environment Maintenance and Sustainment (EMS)

The selectee will be responsible for the maintenance and sustainment of advanced computing systems, ensuring their continuous operation and optimal performance. This role focuses on the upkeep and enhancement of existing systems rather than architectural design. The selectee will perform routine maintenance tasks to ensure the stability and performance of advanced computing systems, staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices related to system maintenance and sustainment. They will work with technical teams to identify, configure, and assess system upgrades and patches, articulating and mitigating issues as needed. The selectee will implement system updates, patches, and enhancements to ensure the continuous operation of advanced computing systems, provide technical guidance and support to other team members and organizational units as needed, and troubleshoot and resolve system-related issues. Additionally, they will conduct routine audits and vulnerability analyses to ensure the security and integrity of advanced computing systems, integrate and configure hardware and software.

AOS: Enterprise IT Architecture (EIA)

The selectee will be responsible for providing robust and secure services that manage and protect the identities, credentials, and access permissions of users and systems within the NSA enterprise, while also serving the IC and DOW communities. This role involves developing and implementing encryption as a service and key management as a service for users across the agency and the Intelligence Community (IC). The selectee will manage digital rights management, and enterprise encryption libraries, ensuring continuous availability and optimal performance of these systems. They will collaborate with stakeholders to define system requirements and develop detailed technical specifications, providing technical guidance and support to other team members and organizational units as needed.

AOS: Advanced Computing Systems (ACS)

The selectee will be responsible for researching and evaluating next-generation cross-domain technologies. This presents an opportunity to work with commercial vendors to assess new tools that will shape the enterprise by identifying and configuring innovative solutions to facilitate secure data transfer across security domains. This role requires a strong understanding of operating systems, product evaluation, security protocols, network architecture, and systems integration to support cross-domain technologies, cloud computing, and virtualization technologies. The selectee will be responsible for conducting risk assessments and vulnerability analyses to ensure the security and integrity of cross-domain data transfers. They will integrate hardware and software component configurations to meet security and performance requirements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Relevant experience must be in the design/development of computer or information systems and include engineering hardware and/or software over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, computer systems research, reverse engineering, and/or computer/network security. 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).

FULL PERFORMANCE

Entry is with a Bachelors degree plus 3 years of relevant experience or a Masters degree plus 1 year of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree and no experience. An Associates degree plus 5 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.

SENIOR

Entry is with a Bachelors degree plus 6 years of relevant experience or a Masters degree plus 4 years of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree and 2 years of relevant experience. An Associates degree plus 8 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.

Education

Degree must be in Computer Science (CS). Related fields (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics, Information Technology, Information Systems) 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 advanced mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics).

Note: Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. The minimum qualifications for this position require a degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science (CS) courses in foundational CS areas.

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 - $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 selectees 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).

Expand Hide additional information

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

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.

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.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a desire for continual learning and strong problem-solving, analytic and interpersonal skills who is able to:

  • Work in a team environment across the Enterprise
  • Adapt to change
  • Provide innovative solutions
  • Communicate effectively
  • Work tasks across multiple projects simultaneously

The ideal candidate will also reflect specialized Technical skills and experience in one or more of the following:

  • Computer operations and System administration with Windows, UNIX, and/or Linux
  • Programming and scripting experience (e.g., C, C++, Java, Assembly, Python, Perl, Ruby, Bash, Node.js, Spark, Puppet, SALT, KAFKA, HADOOP)
  • Database design/development
  • Network protocols and hardware
  • Virtualization fundamentals
  • Cloud architecture
  • Security architectures and appliances
  • Firewalls boundary device solutions/architecture
  • High performance computing/data center
  • Cybersecurity principles
  • Risk assessment and mitigation plans
  • Technical Performance management
  • AI knowledge, use and integration
  • System modeling and simulation principles, Machine Learning/Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence
  • Analytical thinking, problem-solving and technical leadership

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.

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 National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your 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

https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1263095

Agency contact information

NSA POC

Phone 1-844-424-4737 Email intelcareers@nsa.gov

Next steps

https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1263095

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 National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your 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

https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1263095

Expand Hide how to apply

Agency contact information

NSA POC

Phone 1-844-424-4737 Email intelcareers@nsa.gov

Next steps

https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1263095

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

National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Agency contact information

NSA POC

Phone 1-844-424-4737 Email intelcareers@nsa.gov

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what its like to work at National Security Agency/Central Security Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.nsa.gov/careers/

Summary

The Computer Architect is responsible for planning, designing, and governing the architecture of enterprise computing systems that support the mission, operations, and strategic objectives of the agency. This position provides technical leadership in the development of secure, scalable, resilient, and interoperable information technology solutions that comply with federal laws, regulations, and government-wide architecture standards.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Location

Many vacancies in the following locations:

Fort Meade, MD

San Antonio, TX

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes-You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Salary $105,262 - $192,764 per year Pay scale & grade

GG 11 - 14

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

  • 0132 Intelligence

Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No

Drug test Yes Security clearance Top Secret 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

  • National security

Financial disclosure required Yes

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number 1263095 Control number 886794500

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Numbers & Facts

Locationfort meade, MD
Salary$105,262–$192,764 Per Year

Skills

  • Algorithmsunmatched
  • Analysis Skillsunmatched
  • Architectural Analysisunmatched
  • Architectural Designunmatched
  • Architectural Servicesunmatched
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)unmatched
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Natural Languageunmatched
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  • Best Practicesunmatched
  • Business Strategyunmatched
  • Calculusunmatched
  • Capacity Managementunmatched
  • Cloud Architectureunmatched
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  • Computer Operationsunmatched
  • Computer Programmingunmatched
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  • Computer Systemsunmatched
  • Cryptographyunmatched
  • Customer Support/Serviceunmatched
  • Data Analysisunmatched
  • Data Formatsunmatched
  • Data Mappingunmatched
  • Data Modelingunmatched
  • Database Designunmatched
  • Database Programmingunmatched
  • Defense Intelligenceunmatched
  • Digital Rights Management (DRM)unmatched
  • Emerging Technologyunmatched
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  • Enterprise Computingunmatched
  • Federal Assistanceunmatched
  • Federal Governmentunmatched
  • Federal Laws and Regulationsunmatched
  • Firewallsunmatched
  • Governmentunmatched
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  • HTTPS (HyperText Transport Protocol Secure)unmatched
  • Hardware Componentsunmatched
  • Hardware Configuration Managementunmatched
  • Hardware Developmentunmatched
  • Hardware-Software Integrationunmatched
  • High Availabilityunmatched
  • IT Requirementsunmatched
  • Identify Issuesunmatched
  • Industry/Trade Analysisunmatched
  • Information Architectureunmatched
  • Information Technology & Information Systemsunmatched
  • Information/Data Security (InfoSec)unmatched
  • Integrated Circuits (ICs)unmatched
  • Integration Testingunmatched
  • Intelligence Agenciesunmatched
  • Intelligence Communityunmatched
  • Internet Securityunmatched
  • Interoperabilityunmatched
  • Interpersonal Skillsunmatched
  • Legalunmatched
  • Linux Operating Systemunmatched
  • Machine Learningunmatched
  • Mathematicsunmatched
  • Mentoringunmatched
  • Microsoft Windows System Administrationunmatched
  • Model Reviewunmatched
  • Multitaskingunmatched
  • National Security Agency (NSA)unmatched
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)unmatched
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  • Network Operations Centerunmatched
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  • Requirements Managementunmatched
  • Research & Development (R&D)unmatched
  • Reverse Engineeringunmatched
  • Risk Analysisunmatched
  • Risk Managementunmatched
  • Security Analysisunmatched
  • Security Architectureunmatched
  • Security Designunmatched
  • Security Protocolsunmatched
  • Simulationunmatched
  • Software Configuration Managementunmatched
  • Software Developmentunmatched
  • Software Patchesunmatched
  • Sustainabilityunmatched
  • System Architectureunmatched
  • System Integration (SI)unmatched
  • System Operationsunmatched
  • Systems Administration/Managementunmatched
  • Systems Analysisunmatched
  • Systems Engineeringunmatched
  • Systems Maintenanceunmatched
  • Systems Scalabilityunmatched
  • Team Playerunmatched
  • Technical Leadershipunmatched
  • Technical Presentationunmatched
  • Technical Supportunmatched
  • Technical Writingunmatched
  • Technical/Engineering Designunmatched
  • Trend Analysisunmatched
  • United States Department of Defense (DoD)unmatched
  • Unix Operating Systemsunmatched
  • Vendor/Supplier Selectionunmatched
  • Virtualizationunmatched
  • Willing to Travelunmatched

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