COMPUTER SCIENTIST

Summary

DCSA Acquisition and Technology, National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) is seeking a Software Engineer, to serve as a technical expert in the multidisciplinary fields of Product Management, enterprise architecture, infrastructure, software development, data management and governance, tool development, systems engineering, sustainment, and related subject matter areas as they pertain to an enterprise system. Visit to learn more about DCSA, America's Gatekeeper!

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Duties

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As a COMPUTER SCIENTIST you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Design and implement containerized microservices and Application Programming Interface-first integration frameworks to support enterprise backend systems.
• Develop and maintain core backend services, including case management Application Programming Interfaces, data ingestion pipelines, and authentication layers.
• Manage Application Programming Interface connections to 80+ external providers, ensuring secure token authentication, rate limiting, and robust error handling.
• Establish strict coding standards, security controls, and technical debt governance across Agile software development teams.
• Integrate Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning capabilities into backend architectures while adhering to Responsible Artificial Intelligence standards and National Institute of Standards and Technology Risk Management Framework compliance.

The Office Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security established a Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) for certain Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Cyber positions within the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System. Eligibility for the TLMS is based on cyber work roles within certain occupational series and on the work performed. This vacancy is designated as a STEM and/or Cyber position and pay for the incumbent will be based on the STEM and Cyber Pay Table.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• In accordance with DoDD 8140.01/DoDI 8140.02, the position compliance requirement details are outlined in the Defense Cyber Workforce Annex.
• Any Information Technology/Security certifications/education specified in the DCWF Annex as defined by DoD 8570.01 - M/DoD 8140-M within six months of appointment date.
• The incumbent must sign a Statement of Understanding regarding the certification requirements and maintaining the appropriate certification is a condition of employment.
• Must be a US citizen
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information
• Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
• This is a Drug Testing designated position
• Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station): May be Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.
• If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.
• This position requires Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Practitioner certification in Engineering and Technical Management and is expected to meet all related certification requirements per the Department of Defense Instruction 5000.66.
• Applicants that do not meet this requirement are eligible to be hired but must obtain an Engineering and Technical Management Practitioner certification within 5 years (60 months) after the first day of starting in the position.

Qualifications

This position has a Basic Requirement for the 1550: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's 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.

*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (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 09/14/2026

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 GS/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 engineering and maintaining complex, enterprise-level backend software architectures and data integration systems. Experience designing containerized micro-services and Application Programming Interface (API)-first integration frameworks. Experience developing scalable core backend services, robust data ingestion pipelines, and secure authentication/authorization layers. Experience architecting and managing high-volume API connections to numerous external data providers (to include managing rate limiting, error handling, and token authentication). Experience establishing rigorous coding standards and technical debt governance. Experience utilizing Agile methodologies to iteratively develop, test, and release backend software solutions that support critical organizational or national security missions.

Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies :

1. Artificial Intelligence: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used to design systems that perform human intelligence functions.
2. Data Systems and Management: Plan, develop, implement, and administer the collection, storage, maintenance, integrity, and retrieval of data, using knowledge of computer hardware, software, and systems.
3. Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices, and of equipment, tools, mechanical devices, and their uses to produce motion, light, power, technology, and other applications.
4. Requirements Analysis: Knowledge of the principles and methods to identify, analyze, specify, design, and manage functional and infrastructure requirements; includes translating functional requirements into technical requirements used for logical design or presenting alternative technologies or approaches.

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:

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)

• DAWIA (Back to Basics) Certification: NON-CAP: Position requires DoD Acquisition Practitioner certification in Engineering & Technical Management within required timeframes. Selectee must also achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2-years. Click here for more details and Resources.

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 selectee's 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.

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.

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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.

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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.