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Dea Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Expression Networks

Test Engineer (DEA)

Arlington, VA · On-site

The program will modernize DEA's investigative and case management environment through a centralized, secure, scalable platform supporting integrated workflows, data exchange, mobile capabilities ...

Expression Networks

Test Engineer (DEA)

Washington, DC · On-site

The program will modernize DEA's investigative and case management environment through a centralized, secure, scalable platform supporting integrated workflows, data exchange, mobile capabilities ...

Expression

Junior Data Engineer (DEA)

Washington, DC

$129K - $155K/yr

The program is focused on replacing fragmented legacy investigative and case management ... The program is primarily onsite at DEA Headquarters. Key Responsibilities * Assist in designing ...

Expression

Junior Test Engineer (DEA)

Arlington, VA · On-site

The program is focused on delivering a modern, secure, user-friendly investigative and case management ecosystem supporting DEA's law enforcement, investigative, forensic, and intelligence ...

Expression

Junior Test Engineer (DEA)

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

The program is focused on delivering a modern, secure, user-friendly investigative and case management ecosystem supporting DEA's law enforcement, investigative, forensic, and intelligence ...

RXinsider LTD.

Stay current on evolving DEA regulations, industry guidance, and compliance best practices. What Success Looks Like * Customer reviews, investigations, and site visits are completed accurately ...

Phlow Corp.

DEA Compliance Coordinator

Petersburg, VA · On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

Lead biennial physical inventory counts and investigate any inventory discrepancies, including at third party facility locations. * Disposal & Destruction: Coordinate the secure reverse-distribution ...

adareps

DEA Compliance Specialist

Vandalia, OH · On-site

Position DEA Compliance Specialist Location Vandalia, OH Summary The DEA Compliance Specialist ... and investigations. * Remain current with industry practices/trends and regulatory agency ...

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Dea Investigator information

See salary details

$32K

$75.3K

$131K

How much do dea investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for dea investigator in the United States is $75,325.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a DEA investigator?

DEA Investigators, also known as Diversion Investigators, are federal law enforcement professionals who work for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Their primary role is to investigate and prevent the illegal diversion of controlled substances, such as prescription medications, into the illicit market. They conduct inspections, audits, and investigations of healthcare providers, pharmacies, and manufacturers to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations. DEA Investigators also gather evidence, prepare reports, and may testify in court cases related to drug diversion.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a DEA investigator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a DEA Investigator, you need a background in criminal justice or a related field, strong investigative skills, and typically federal law enforcement training. Familiarity with surveillance technology, case management systems, and firearms proficiency—often supported by certifications like the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)—is essential. Attention to detail, ethical judgment, and strong interpersonal communication skills set outstanding investigators apart. These skills ensure thorough, lawful investigations and effective collaboration in combating drug-related crimes.

What are some common challenges faced by DEA investigators during investigations, and how are they typically addressed?

DEA Investigators often encounter challenges such as working with limited or sensitive information, conducting surveillance in high-risk environments, and coordinating with multiple agencies. These challenges are typically managed through rigorous training, adherence to established protocols, and frequent collaboration with colleagues in law enforcement and legal departments. Investigators also rely on advanced technology and strong communication skills to ensure that investigations are thorough, safe, and legally compliant. Maintaining flexibility and discretion is essential due to the sensitive nature of the cases.

What is the difference between Dea Investigator vs Forensic Scientist?

AspectDea InvestigatorForensic Scientist
Required CredentialsDEA Agent Certification, Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related fieldDegree in forensic science, chemistry, or biology; certifications vary
Work EnvironmentLaw enforcement agencies, field investigations, undercover workLaboratories, crime scene analysis, research settings
Employer & IndustryDrug enforcement agencies, federal and state law enforcementCrime labs, forensic laboratories, research institutions
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on drug investigations, law enforcement proceduresFocuses on scientific analysis of evidence

Dea Investigators primarily conduct drug-related investigations within law enforcement agencies, often working in the field and requiring law enforcement credentials. Forensic Scientists analyze physical evidence in labs, focusing on scientific methods. While both roles deal with crime evidence, Dea Investigators are more involved in enforcement and fieldwork, whereas Forensic Scientists specialize in scientific analysis.

How do you become a DEA investigator?

To become a DEA investigator, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree, relevant law enforcement experience, and must pass a background check, physical fitness test, and drug test. Applicants often need to complete specialized training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and meet age and citizenship requirements. Prior experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, or related fields can be advantageous.

How much do DEA investigators make?

DEA investigators typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and rank. They often receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and overtime pay, and may require specialized training and security clearances.

How to become a DEA investigator?

To become a DEA investigator, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree, relevant law enforcement experience, and must pass a background check, physical fitness test, and drug test. Prior experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, or related fields is often required, along with strong analytical and communication skills. Applicants must also complete specialized training at the DEA Academy.
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What states have the most Dea Investigator jobs?

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For Dea Investigator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Dea Investigator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dea Investigator job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $75,325 per year, or $36.2 per hour.

Test Engineer (DEA)

Arlington, VA • On-site

Expression Networks
IT Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Expression Networksexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Expression is seeking a Tester Engineer to support the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Investigative Case and Data Ecosystem (ICDE) modernization effort. The program will modernize DEA's investigative and case management environment through a centralized, secure, scalable platform supporting integrated workflows, data exchange, mobile capabilities, analytics, and interoperability.
The Test Engineer will design, develop, and execute comprehensive functional testing for Pega applications and related system capabilities. This position will work across engineering, business analysis, and product teams to translate requirements and acceptance criteria into detailed test scenarios, identify and track defects, maintain regression coverage, and support reliable delivery throughout Agile development iterations.
Clearance: Top Secret level required and willingness to pursue SCI.
Location: Arlington, VA. The program is primarily onsite at DEA Headquarters.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and execute functional test cases for Pega applications, ensuring comprehensive coverage of applicable business workflows.
  • Analyze business and system requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria and translate them into detailed test scenarios.
  • Collaborate with developers, business analysts, product stakeholders, and other team members to clarify requirements and establish appropriate test coverage.
  • Validate system functionality against business requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
  • Identify, document, track, and retest defects, partnering with engineering teams to support timely and thorough resolution.
  • Analyze test results, identify risks and quality concerns, and provide clear, actionable feedback to development and product teams.
  • Support test planning by defining test scope, estimating effort, identifying dependencies, and contributing to test-strategy development.
  • Develop and maintain functional and regression test suites and supporting test artifacts.
  • Support User Acceptance Testing, system validation, and testing and validation reporting.
  • Contribute to interoperability testing for integrations between system components and external systems.
  • Participate in Agile ceremonies, including stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.
  • Coordinate testing activities throughout development iterations to support frequent delivery and demonstrations of working software.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to promote quality throughout the SDLC.
  • Support defect-resolution feedback loops and communicate testing risks and outcomes to appropriate stakeholders.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of QA processes, test coverage, and testing efficiency.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related fields 2+ years of professional experience.
  • Hands-on experience with Pega functional testing tools and QA approaches for Pega applications.
  • Strong foundation in Quality Assurance principles, functional testing, test-case development, defect tracking, and regression testing.
  • Ability to analyze requirements and translate them into detailed test scenarios while identifying gaps or ambiguities.
  • Familiarity with Agile/iterative development methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban.
  • Experience working with test-management and defect-tracking tools such as Jira or Azure DevOps.
  • Ability to clearly document defects, risks, test results, and improvement recommendations.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, business, and product teams.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Pega certification, such as CSA, CSSA, or related certification.
  • Experience with automated testing tools for Pega applications, including PegaUnit or Selenium for Pega UI.
  • Familiarity with Agile-focused testing methodologies across Scrum, SAFe, or hybrid environments.
  • Exposure to test-automation or hybrid-testing frameworks.
  • Experience participating in CI/CD-integrated testing workflows.
  • Experience supporting User Acceptance Testing.
  • Experience testing system integrations or interoperability.
  • Experience supporting Federal Government or other complex enterprise software modernization programs.

Benefits:
Expression offers competitive salaries and benefits, such as:
  • 401k matching
  • PPO and HDHP medical/dental/vision insurance
  • Education reimbursement up to $10,000/yr
  • Complimentary life insurance
  • Generous PTO and 11 days of holiday leave
  • Onsite gym facility
  • Commuter Benefits Plan
  • In-office Cold Brew Coffee

About Expression:
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Washington DC, Expression provides data fusion, data analytics, AI/ML, software engineering, information technology, and electromagnetic spectrum management solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, and national security community. Expression's culture focuses on creating immediate and sustainable value for our clients via agile delivery of tailored solutions built through constant engagement with our clients. Expression was ranked #1 on the Washington Technology 2018's Fast 50 list of fastest-growing small business Government contractors and a Top 20 Big Data Solutions Provider by CIO Review.
We make sure to provide everyone with the tools and opportunities to grow while working on some of the newest technologies in the industry. We get excited about celebrating our professionals' milestones, accomplishments, promotions, overcoming challenges, and many other aspects that make an engaging collaborative environment.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Expression is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please submit your request to our Human Resources department through the application portal.

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