Systems Engineer Programmer 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.

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 11/1 to 15/10
Open: 2026-08-10, Close: 2026-08-31

Job Posting: 1261129

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 outcomes. In this challenging environment, innovation and critical thinking are essential as you work to safeguard the nation's most sensitive information through cutting edge solutions.Data and Analytic Capability Development is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Systems Engineer to help us solve today's IT Security challenges. Together we will work as an Agile Scrum team to prioritize and plan requirements, document progress and celebrate successes. This position is multifaceted, highly visible across the enterprise, and extremely rewarding. You will be asked to work with technical leaders, senior engineers, developers and analysts across the enterprise to innovate and drive the future of IT Security. If you are looking to affect a strategic-level impact on an organization with strong technical influence, you have found a great opportunity.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 a wide range of 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, 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 nation's toughest challenges and supporting NSA's 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 ENGINEERSMid-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.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 ENGINEERSSeasoned professionals drive the Agency's 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.

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.

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/deployment, operation, maintenance & support, decommissioning).FULL PERFORMANCEWith an Engineering degree, 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. OR, with a degree in a relevant technical field (for example, computer science, mathematics, or physics), entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's or Doctoral degree plus 1 year of relevant experience.SENIOREntry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 3 years of relevant experience.EXPERTEntry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 6 years of relevant experience.

Technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Cybersecurity, SIGINT, telecommunications, computer science, data management and processing.
• Knowledge of system network architectures, frameworks, and enterprise standards.

• System design, Architecture, Integration
• Familiarity with systems engineering practices and concepts, including:
  • Experience with systems engineering principles and methodologies
  • Technology/system readiness assessment
  • Modeling and simulation
  • Security design engineering
  • Test evaluation and integration
• Certifications
• Systems Engineering (e.g. DAWIA, INCOSE) is beneficial
• DAWIA certification is required to be obtained within two years

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of relevant 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 - $197,200 (Full Performance, Senior, Expert)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.

**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' PreferenceIn 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 honourable 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 honourable 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;
• 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 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability;
• 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.