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 this challenging environment innovation and critical thinking are essential as you work to safeguard the nations 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 nations toughest challenges and supporting NSAs 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 Agencys 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.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.

Qualifications

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

Degree must be in either Engineering or a relevant technical field (for example computer science mathematics or physics).

For all of the above degrees if program is not ABET accredited it must include specified coursework.*
*Specified coursework includes courses in differential and integral calculus and 5 of the following 18 areas: (a) statics or dynamics (b) strength of materials/stress-strain relationships (c) fluid mechanics hydraulics (d) thermodynamics (e) electromagnetic fields (f) nature and properties of materials/relating particle and aggregate structure to properties (g) solid state electronics (h) microprocessor applications (i) computer systems (j) signal processing (k) digital design (l) systems and control theory (m) circuits or generalized circuits (n) communication systems (o) power systems (p) computer networks (q) software development (r) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics such as optics heat transfer or soil mechanics. Relevant experience must be in engineering systems over their lifecycle (for example conception design & development testing production distribution/deployment operation maintenance & support decommissioning).

FULL PERFORMANCE
With an Engineering degree 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. OR with a degree in a relevant technical field (for example computer science mathematics or physics) entry is with a Bachelors degree plus 3 years of relevant experience or a Masters or Doctoral degree plus 1 year of relevant 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.

EXPERT
Entry is with a Bachelors degree plus 10 years of relevant experience or a Masters degree plus 8 years of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree plus 6 years of relevant experience.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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: $105262 - $197200 (Full Performance Senior Expert)
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.

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.

Required Experience:

IC