Capabilities Development Specialist - Entry Level (Maryland)
About the Role
As a Capabilities Development Specialist (CDS) at the National Security Agency, you will develop custom high-priority offensive and defensive capabilities targeting the hardest-to-reach adversarial networks in the world. This role involves conducting innovative research and producing hardware and software tools to support national security missions. You will apply and grow your expertise to create new ways to deliver critical information to national decision-makers, working in software, hardware, or cutting-edge research.
Applicants may be considered for direct placement positions or the Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP). For more information, visit NSA Development Programs or email CNODP@nsa.gov.
Responsibilities
- Develop exploitation capabilities and analytics to enable foreign target network collection.
- Design hardware components and systems to further signals intelligence missions.
- Analyze sophisticated malware.
Specialized Areas of Interest
- Software Specialties:
- Strong software development skills (C, C++, Assembly, ARM).
- Software reverse engineering/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, OllyDbg, gdb).
- Software application vulnerability analysis and exploitation.
- Operating system internals.
- Mobile platform development and analysis.
- Algorithmic analysis and prototyping.
- Malware Reverse Engineer:
- Perform advanced malware analysis/reverse engineering of specialized malware/complex files.
- CISSP, CEH, GREM, or GPEN certifications are a plus.
- Hardware Specialties:
- Hardware reverse engineering, design, development, or testing (Verilog, VHDL, FPGA, PCB).
- Testing and debugging tools (JTAG, Oscilloscopes, etc.).
Qualifications
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
- Degree Requirements: Computer Science (CS), Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field. Degrees in Information Technology, Information Systems, Information Security, Networking (Systems Administration), Information Assurance, or Cybersecurity may be considered relevant if the program includes a concentration of courses in foundational CS areas:
- Algorithms.
- Computer architecture (not network architecture).
- Programming methodologies and languages.
- Data structures.
- Logic and computation.
- Upper-level mathematics (e.g., calculus, discrete mathematics).
- Relevant Experience: Must be in one or more of the following:
- Engineering hardware or software over its lifecycle (requirements analysis, design, development, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance).
- Programming.
- Vulnerability analysis.
- Penetration testing.
- Computer forensics.
- Systems engineering.
- Entry/Developmental Level:
- Bachelor’s degree and no experience.
- Associate’s degree plus 2 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth, clearly related experience.
Unofficial transcripts from all schools attended must be uploaded into your Candidate Profile prior to applying.
Pay
Salary offers are based on education level, years of relevant experience, and work level for the position. Salary range varies by location and experience.
- Salary Range: $87,362 - $123,388 (Entry/Developmental).
Benefits
NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Schedule
- Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, with a basic 8-hour/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).
- DCIPS Trial Period: Two-year trial period (one year for veterans' preference-eligible employees). Continued employment is contingent upon performance, conduct, and the Agency’s needs.