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Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher- Mid to Experienced Level (Maryland)
Department of Defense
National Security Agency/Central Security Service
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Summary
The NSA invites you to be part of an elite team thats making a global impact by researching and developing revolutionary ideas. As an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher at NSA, your creativity and that of your team is essential to investigating and implementing effective technical solutions for our Nation.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
The NSA invites you to be part of an elite team thats making a global impact by researching and developing revolutionary ideas. As an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher at NSA, your creativity and that of your team is essential to investigating and implementing effective technical solutions for our Nation.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 08/07/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 7, 2026
Location
few vacancies in the following location:
Fort Meade, MD
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 Not required
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 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
Financial disclosure required No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number 1260761 Control number 878165600
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.
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Duties
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NSAs Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) attracts top technical talent who not only solve the nations urgent intelligence problems, but also invent what hasnt been invented and concentrate on what will be needed five, ten, fifteen years down the road. Through its partnership with the University of Maryland (UMD), LPS offers a unique environment where university, industry, and federal government scientists collaborate on research in advanced communication, sensing, and computer technologies.
LPS is currently seeking experienced Engineering and Physical Sciences Researchers to lead advanced research efforts in the areas of: Electromagnetics engineering that enable high-performance wireless communications; integrated photonics for High Performance Computing (HPC); and novel computing devices for High Performance Computing (HPC) applications.
LPS Researchers are expected to contribute to their technical fields by publishing in high-impact, peer reviewed journals; collaborating and contributing broadly with academia, industry, and the national laboratories; and supervising students and postdoctoral fellows. In addition, researchers must demonstrate an ability to work well in a team environment toward mission-oriented research goals, to provide unique and sometimes extraordinary subject matter expertise to the Intelligence Community and wider U.S. Government (USG) and bring their inventions to prototype or practical implementation.
Lead Researcher: Active Devices for Beyond Moores law/Cryologic. LPS is seeking a motivated experimentalist to lead a new research effort to discover, understand, and optimize novel devices for HPC. In the Beyond Moores Law era, the exploration of computing devices operating at very high speed, low-power, or offering greater functionality for memory and logic are critical to the development of future information technologies. LPS seeks to add to its growing number of research labs in novel classical computing devices and paradigms, which include laboratories for 2D and topological materials, superconducting reversible logic, and cryogenic interconnect for novel HPC, in addition to an entire office focused on novel architectures and system-level considerations for Advanced Computing Systems (ACS). This search is not predetermined towards a specific technology; rather, LPS seeks a researcher with skillsets and a fundamental research strategy that complements and enhances existing efforts. This new research area is expected to provide opportunities for internal Agency and external community collaboration, especially for future computing systems of relevance to the NSA.
Although LPS researchers are encouraged to collaborate and pursue research funding opportunities internal to the Agency and across the USG, many LPS research projects are self-funded. This new research effort is expected to be provided with start-up funds, lab space, and materials, as well as being able to take advantage of existing beyond Moores and cryologic labs, fabrication and measurement infrastructure.
Lead Researcher: Novel Computing Devices for HPC Applications
The Advanced Computing Systems (ACS) Research Program has an immediate opening for a high energy top performing individual with outstanding technical skills to work on the development of next generation of computing systems.
Responsibilities will include:
Helping to perform analysis of alternative physical devices, computational machines and architectures, including from "sketch" paper analysis to detailed modeling and simulation to designing microelectronics through system level hardware where necessary. Based upon the above work, where feasible, functional demonstration software, hardware and systems may be fabricated demonstrating and characterizing the new capabilities and suitability for critical mission needs.
Collaborate with ACS research colleagues, and customers to identify opportunities and approaches to apply custom logic to NSAs mission needs. Work with agency, academic, industry and national lab researchers to identify techniques, develop models, and other means to demonstrate the suitability of the custom logic identified.
Working across ACS teams and with state-of-the-art microelectronics industry partners to develop, codify logic algorithms, validate designs, and collaborate with contractors to fabricate novel Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) devices.
Work with both internal agency and external contractor resources to design/develop electronic test apparatus and the software to demonstrate custom ASIC devices for the effectiveness of serving mission needs.
Make recommendations to the agency for technologies that offer significant benefits for production systems for specific missions.
Use knowledge of mathematics, engineering, cognitive sciences and physical sciences to investigate and if needed propose systematic investigations of phenomena using experimental methods to be performed by collaborators and vendors.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
Qualifications
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree must be in either (1) Engineering, (2) Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college or university, or (3) a relevant professional technical field (for example, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology).
For Engineering degrees, if program is not ABET accredited, it must include specified coursework.*
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.
SENIOR
Entry is with a Bachelors degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Masters degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 3 years of relevant experience.
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).
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 Agencys needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agencys 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.
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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
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Lead Researcher: Active Devices for Beyond Moores law / Cryologic:
The ideal candidate is someone whose research interests complement current NSA investments in fabrication, measurement, and materials development for HPC, and who has a proven track record of innovative research in technical areas of direct relevance to active devices for beyond Moores law computing and cryogenic logic. Preferably, the expertise demonstrated should be in several of the following technical areas, and complementary to LPS investments in fabrication, measurement, and materials development for HPC hardware, including laboratory work in quantum materials and cryogenic logic:
Position Specific Skills
Lead Researcher: Novel Computing Devices for High Performance Computing (HPC) Applications:
A combination of some physics, engineering, and computer science with some depth in at least one aspect of each discipline. An ability to move between and combine aspects of physics, engineering, and computer science and a willingness and desire to add to the skills in each of the above disciplines as needed. A willingness to consider and analyze the economics and marketplaces surrounding compute devices and incorporate such analysis into the work would be useful.
Key skills for this role include an understanding of hardware/software architecture, algorithms, digital logic design, Verilog and RTL coding, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), testing, and software development.
In addition, to the above skills, experience in the use of EDA tools such as Cadence and Synopsys, verification and validation techniques and microelectronics fabrication technologies are highly desirable.
ASIC device development is a substantial undertaking in terms of resources, planning and time. Successful candidates should be able to seamlessly function both independently and as part of a larger team, organized and serve as an effective communicator verbally and in writing.
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
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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:
OR
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
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
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.
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
Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1260761
Agency contact information
NSA POC
Phone 1-844-424-4737 Email intelcareers@nsa.gov
Next steps
Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1260761
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
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:
OR
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
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
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.
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
Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1260761
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact information
NSA POC
Phone 1-844-424-4737 Email intelcareers@nsa.gov
Next steps
Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1260761
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.
Summary
The NSA invites you to be part of an elite team thats making a global impact by researching and developing revolutionary ideas. As an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher at NSA, your creativity and that of your team is essential to investigating and implementing effective technical solutions for our Nation.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 08/07/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 7, 2026
Location
few vacancies in the following location:
Fort Meade, MD
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 Not required
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 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
Financial disclosure required No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number 1260761 Control number 878165600
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USAJOBS is a Opens in a new windowUnited States Office of Personnel Management website.
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| Location | Maryland, MD |
| Salary | $105,262–$192,764 Per Year |