Trainee Computer Chip Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The DCSA Student Experience (DSE) '27 Cohort. Open to undergraduate and graduate students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0, who will remain full-time students through October 2028. Summer Cohort Start Date: 31 May 2027 (alternate: 14 June 2027); End Date: 20 August 2027. Students must attend for a minimum of 10 weeks (400 hours).
Selection Office(s): Acquisition & Technology - Research & Innovation for Security Enterprise
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Duties
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This is a temporary position NTE 04 September 2027.
As a MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS STUDENT TRAINEE (COMPUTER SCIENCE) you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Perform routine, standardized assignments in the fields of computer science.
• Assist higher-level personnel who are performing projects in order to develop competence and experience, assignments will progress in difficulty as experience is gained.
• Assist in the development of technical artifacts with various directorate, DCSA PEO, and DoD elements.
• May be required to gather information associated with the development of artificial intelligence (AI) including the application of computers to solve problems and to understand the principles of human intelligence.
• Investigates potential for integration of natural language processing (NLP) algorithms to enhance machine learning (ML) enabled data processing capabilities.
• Applies concepts, principles, practices, and techniques associated with computer science, data science, data architecture, and/or data engineering to elementary assignments involving recurring work. This involves assisting with compiling technical and administrative artifacts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements
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Conditions 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 http://www.sss.gov
• 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): Not Authorized (Relocation expenses or housing will NOT be provided by the agency)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible but is not a full-time telework position. The incumbent will be required to report to the office on a routine basis.
• 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.
• Incumbent must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program with a full-time course load at the time of application, for the semester prior to the Summer Cohort, and following participation in the Summer Cohort.
• Selected students must maintain full-time enrollment through October 2028. Students not intending to maintain full-time enrollment through October 2028 will be marked ineligible.
• Incumbent must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. Grade-point averages are rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9.
• DSE Summer '27 Cohort Start Date: 31 May 2027 (alternate - 14 June 2027); End Date: 20 August 2027. Students must attend for a minimum of 10 weeks (400 hours).
• Students selected for the internship program must send an official transcript with Spring 2027 semester/quarter grades and proof of full-time student status to Student Programs prior to their start date.
• This is not a developmental career ladder opportunity - this position will be filled at the GG-05 or GG-07 depending on applicant qualifications and organizational requirements.

Qualifications
To qualify at the GG-05 level, you must meet the criteria specified below:

• Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study by June 2027 (spring quarter/semester);
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at time of application. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the duration of the program; and
• Maintain a full-time student status (as defined by your university or college) through October 2028
• NOTE: Freshman receiving Pass (P)/Fail (F) grades their first semester must receive all P's to maintain eligibility

To qualify at the GG-07 level, you must meet the criteria specified below:

• Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school education leading to a bachelor's or equivalent degree (expected graduation date of June 2027 or earlier); and
• Enrolled as full-time student in a graduate program for Fall 2027; and
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at time of application. A GPA of 3.0 or higher must be maintained throughout the duration of the program; and
• Maintain a full-time student status (as defined by your university or college) through October 2028.

Students who successfully complete the Summer 2027 Cohort may be considered for participation with the Summer 2028 Cohort, pending educational qualification status. Students graduating prior to October 2028 from their current college/university must intend to continue their education and be enrolled as full-time students through October 2028. Proof of this enrollment and full-time status will be required prior to returning for the Summer 2028 Cohort.
Dual Enrollment High School Students are not eligible.
All applicants must submit college or university unofficial transcripts as proof of enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program, current enrollment in a full-time course load and to confirm GPA requirements. See below for further instructions on transcripts.
**PLEASE NOTE** - This is not a developmental career ladder opportunity - this position will be filled at the GG-05 or GG-07 depending on applicant qualifications and organizational requirements.
Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies:

1. Communication: Written and oral communication techniques sufficient to develop and deliver briefings, project papers, status/staff reports and correspondence to managers to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations
2. Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations
3. Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals
4. Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; uses sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions; finds alternative solutions to complex problems; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical judgments
5. Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail
6. Ability to research, analyze and present information

Education
All applicants must submit college or university unofficial transcripts as proof of enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program, current enrollment in a full-time course load, and to confirm GPA requirement. Official Transcripts and other required Official supporting documentation must be submitted by selected students prior to their start date.
College Freshmen must also submit their high school transcript to show they meet the GPA requirement.
1st year Graduate Students must submit their transcript from their previous undergraduate program to show they meet the GPA requirement.
Transfer Students must submit their transcript from their previous institution if their GPA is not included on the unofficial transcript from their current institution.
Dual Enrollment High School Students are not eligible, as students are required to have completed High School or GED prior to application.
Superior Academic Achievement does not apply to DCIPS positions.
Failure to provide transcripts and additional documentation to support your eligibility will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.
Foreign Education: For further information, click on the following link:
https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
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: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf
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.
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.
Housing/Relocation
Relocation expenses or housing benefits are NOT offered for our student positions. This position does not offer remote work. If you are selected, you will have to report to the office throughout your internship and be living within commuting distance of the office during the summer program.
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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.
Benefits
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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.