Cryptanalysis Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NSA has received approval from the Department of War to hire for specific critical positions during the hiring freeze, per DoW memorandum 'Immediate Civilian Hiring Freeze for Alignment with National Defense Priorities' dated 28 February.

Cryptanalysis Development Program (CADP) - Entry to Experienced Level (Maryland)Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 07/1 to 13/10
Open: 2026-08-21, Close: 2026-08-23

Job Posting: 1261866

The NSA must maintain and develop a highly skilled workforce. The NSA/CSS Cryptanalysis Development Program (CADP) is designed to produce professional cryptanalysts through an intensive, structured program of formal training courses and varied work assignments. The CADP is a three-year development program where participants complete five (5) tours of duty in cryptanalytic offices, attend seven (7) required courses, and choose at least two (2) elective courses. After completion, they are then placed in a technical mission office to use their cryptanalytic skills.

Cryptanalysts at the NSA monitor and detect problems in data flow or collection to ensure collection quality. They analyze garbled intercepts by using processing skills and techniques, conduct analysis of signals and/or cryptographic data, and use that knowledge to diagnose and exploit encrypted material. They also debug and test software programs.

• Analyzing data of various types
• Formulating questions and hypotheses about the data
• Testing hypotheses, usually via computer programs
• Drawing conclusions from test results

PLEASE NOTE: A copy of unofficial transcripts for all college courses must be submitted with the application in order for the application to be fully considered.

NSA is in search of analysts with a computer science background to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches and research new solutions. We are looking for you to apply your computer science expertise to develop cryptanalytic capabilities and techniques to exploit cryptographic systems. Help protect national security interests as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science and cryptanalytic professionals!

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field (for example, Data Science, Physics, Statistics). For Full Performance and Senior level, relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: cryptanalysis, math, research, communications technologies, statistics, computer science, data science, engineering, programming, analysis of data or patterns, or providing formal instruction in any of the above.

• ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL: Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience.
• FULL PERFORMANCE: Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience.
• SENIOR: Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.

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

• Flexible
• Curious
• Persistent
• Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Able to collaborate with others
• Likes challenging puzzles

Specialized skills and experience in any of the following is beneficial:

• Programming (low level, high level, parallel)
• Software engineering
• Hardware engineering
• Computational science
• Algorithm analysis and design
• Reverse engineering

• 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: $87,362 - $172,578 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior). Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.
• Training will be provided based on the selectee's 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 Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's 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.

U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants.

NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.

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

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

NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process.

**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:

• DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR
• Certification of Service: 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
• Standard Form 15 (SF-15) 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
• VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating). 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.