Engineer/Developer - Software, Hardware, Research (Capabilities Development Specialist) - Mid to Expert Level (Maryland)

CNSS • National Security Systems · Glen Echo, MD · 1 wk ago

Engineering$105k–$197k/yrFull-time

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD | GG 11/1 to 15/10 | Open: 2026-08-10, Close: 2026-08-23

About the Role

As a Capabilities Development Specialist (CDS), you will develop custom high-priority offensive and defensive capabilities targeting the hardest-to-reach adversarial networks in the world. You will apply and grow your expertise to create new ways to get critical information to national decision makers as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science and engineering professionals.

Responsibilities

Developing exploitation capabilities and analytics to enable foreign target network collection
Designing hardware components and systems to further signals intelligence missions
Analyzing sophisticated malware

Competencies

If you have interests, skills, or experience in one or more of the following areas, we'd like to hear from you:

Software Specialties: Strong software development skills (C, C++, Assembly, ARM); software reverse engineering/interactive debugging tools; software application vulnerability analysis and exploitation; operating system internals; mobile platform development and analysis; algorithmic analysis; prototyping.
Malware Reverse Engineering: Advanced malware analysis/reverse engineering of specialized malware/complex files.
Hardware Specialties: Hardware reverse engineering, design, development, or testing and debugging.

Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at this stage. The minimum qualifications for this position may require a degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science (CS) courses in foundational CS areas.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in 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 programs contain, at minimum, a concentration of courses in the following foundational CS areas: algorithms; computer architecture (not network architecture); programming methodologies and languages; data structures; logic and computation; and upper-level mathematics (e.g., calculus, discrete mathematics).

Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: engineering hardware or software over their lifecycle (requirements analysis, design, development, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, or systems engineering. Completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis Course) will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (e.g., 24-week JCAC course counts as 6 months of experience).

Full Performance

Entry with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or
Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or
Doctoral degree and no experience.
An Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience clearly related to the position.

Senior

Entry with a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or
Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or
Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.
An Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience clearly related to the position.

Expert

Entry with a Bachelor's degree plus 9 years of relevant experience, or
Master's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or
Doctoral degree plus 5 years of relevant experience.
An Associate's degree plus 11 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience clearly related to the position.

Skills

We're looking for candidates with knowledge, skills, and experience in one or more of the following:

Programming in languages such as C, C++, and Java, especially in kernel development and device driver development; network/socket programming and embedded systems development
CISSP, CEH, GREM, or GPEN certification
Assembly language(s)
Hardware design (e.g., FPGA, VHDL, Verilog, PCB)
Hardware Reverse Engineering
RF system design (e.g., DSP, SDR)
Embedded systems development
Software reverse engineering/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, OllyDbg, gdb)
Hardware analysis tools (e.g., JTAG, Oscilloscopes)
Software vulnerability analysis and exploitation

Pay

Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of 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.

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).