System and Software Architect / Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher

Summary

The NSA invites you to be part of an elite team that's making a global impact by researching and developing revolutionary ideas. As a System and Software Architect at NSA, your creativity and that of your team is essential to investigating and implementing effective technical solutions for our Nation. For more information, please visit: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1258995

Duties

• Would you like to work for the most esteemed, reputable, and established in-house research organization in the U.S. Intelligence Community? If so, let's talk! NSA employs scientists with world-class skills in fields such as mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, and cybersecurity. We collaborate with leading companies, universities, and national laboratories to leverage work in overlapping disciplines, advance core capabilities, and seek out and develop revolutionary ideas that will provide our nation with an overwhelming advantage over our adversaries. At the Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) at NSA, you will have incredible opportunities with high visibility to work on investigating and designing large-scale high performance computing systems, focusing on computer architectures, processing/memory subsystems, and transforming computing beyond Moore's Law. You will be a part of a multi-disciplinary team of physicists, engineers, computer scientists, and systems architects that challenge you to drive solutions to unique problems that will have revolutionary impact. LPS is excited to leverage the expertise, ideas, and vision of a System and Software Architect to lead projects that shape the future of U.S. technology interests by directing activities to develop and implement complex software and/or hardware systems. A System and Software Architect will collaborate with leading engineers and scientists to identify, manage, and actively reduce architectural risks, leverage emerging technologies and standards, measure progress across various efforts, maximize reuse of previous efforts, and manage highly dynamic architectures. Responsibilities for the System and Software Architect position include, but are not limited to: - Guiding the development of hardware and/or software of future computing technologies - Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to design and develop novel hardware and/or software system architectures (including early or exploratory technologies) - Staying abreast of the latest research, summarizing key findings for stakeholders, and incorporating cutting edge ideas into system architecture designs - Evaluating system architecture designs via modeling and simulation - Identifying, managing, and actively reducing architectural risks; measuring progress across various efforts, maximizing reuse of previous efforts, and managing highly dynamic architectures - Evaluating, testing, and validating design, implementation, enhancement, and deployment of debugging tools; evaluating technical architectures - Supporting stakeholders in setting up problems, running systems, and analyzing results

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in either (1) Engineering, (2) Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college, or (3) a relevant professional technical field (for example, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology). For Engineering 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 one or more of the following: performing engineering or physical sciences work, or conducting academic or independent research in a technical field (for example, mathematics, engineering, cognitive sciences and physical sciences). SENIOR Entry 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. EXPERT Entry 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.

Education

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in either (1) Engineering, (2) Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college, or (3) a relevant professional technical field (for example, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology). For Engineering 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.

Evaluations

A successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of and experience in at least three of the following: - Computer architecture and engineering - C/C++ and Python - Mathematics and/or physics research - Designing, developing, managing and maintaining systems hardware and/or software, ensuring performance, security, scalability, maintainability, and reliability

How to apply

To apply, please visit: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1258995

What to expect next

To apply, please visit: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1258995

Required documents

The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.

Other information

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: $132,751 - $197,200 (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.