Systems Engineer Development Program with Security Clearance

As an Engineering and Physical Science professional, you will leverage your skills to develop and enhance systems and tools that support intelligence operations. Your responsibilities will include advising on, administering, and performing scientific projects such as planning, designing, and constructing specialized equipment. You will ensure adherence to sound engineering and scientific standards and principles. The NSA offers a broad range of focus areas for facilities engineers, including computer, architectural, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering.

Additionally, we are seeking expertise in computer design, microelectronics, radio frequency design, and systems engineering. By applying your science and engineering skills, you will make a significant contribution to protecting the nation. With ever-accelerating technological advances and growing system complexity, a highly skilled, professional workforce of Systems Engineers (SE) is essential to build, integrate, and optimize complex systems and services.

These World‑class, experienced, technical professionals solve challenging systems engineering problems utilizing incredibly innovative solutions. Systems Engineers perform trade studies to generate and translate conceptual designs into technical specifications, participate in the evaluation of prototype hardware systems and software solutions, and integrate these solutions into the worldwide collection and processing architecture. Backgrounds such as Cybersecurity, SIGINT, electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, computer science, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) all have a place in the spectrum of implementations, ranging from commercial/government off-the-shelf solutions to the development of new and unique technologies.

The Systems Engineer combines this background with inherent knowledge, skills, practical experience, and other core SE competencies to meet the emerging requirements to develop the next generation of high performing Enterprise Systems Engineers.

NSA hires recent college graduates and junior systems engineers to support a technical mission office or participate in a Development Program. These systems engineers are involved in various projects designed to nurture and grow their skills. They gain hands‑on, practical knowledge of architecture and infrastructure by designing engineering systems over the lifecycle in areas such as networks, servers, hardware, and software.

Supported by robust training, junior systems engineers have opportunities to form relationships with mentors and explore possibilities. Under the guidance of senior or mid‑career engineers, they work on smaller projects and assist with system design, implementation, and testing. They develop and maintain technical documentation and standards, and are eager to learn and adapt to new technologies and tools. Junior systems engineers are energetic, motivated, driven to continual learning, and ready to grow their careers.

With an Engineering degree, entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. OR, with a degree in a relevant technical field (for example, computer science, mathematics, or physics), entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience.

With an Engineering degree, entry is with a 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. OR, with a degree in a relevant technical field (for example, computer science, mathematics, or physics), entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's or Doctoral degree plus 1 year of relevant experience.

The ideal candidate demonstrates applicable knowledge or experience in a technical field, with a familiarity of systems engineering practices and concepts in areas such as Cybersecurity, SIGINT, communications, telecommunications, electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, computer science, data management, data processing, network architecture, or software design, development,…