Cryptanalysis Development Program (CADP) - Entry to Experienced Level (Maryland)

About the role

The NSA/CSS Cryptanalysis Development Program (CADP) is a three-year development program designed to produce professional cryptanalysts. Participants complete five tours of duty in cryptanalytic offices, attend seven required courses, and choose at least two elective courses. After completion, they are placed in a technical mission office to apply their cryptanalytic skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze data of various types to monitor and detect problems in data flow or collection.
• Formulate questions and hypotheses about the data.
• Test hypotheses, usually via computer programs.
• Draw conclusions from test results.
• Analyze garbled intercepts using processing skills and techniques.
• Conduct analysis of signals and/or cryptographic data to diagnose and exploit encrypted material.
• Debug and test software programs.
• Develop cryptanalytic capabilities and techniques to exploit cryptographic systems.

Qualifications

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 (e.g., Data Science, Physics, Statistics). 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: Bachelor's degree and no experience.
• Full Performance: 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: 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.

Unofficial transcripts for all college courses must be submitted with the application.

Skills

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
• Interested in 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 relevant experience. Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience.

• Salary Range: $87,362 - $172,578 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior)

Benefits

NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Schedule

This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with a basic 8-hour/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible). Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.