Telecommunications Engineer - Fort Meade, United States - National Security Agency

Description

Telecommunications Engineer - Mid to Experienced Level (Maryland)

Responsibilities

The need to maintain our core Telecommunications Engineering competency is vital to providing the technical capabilities necessary to successfully execute NSA's mission. With the rapid evolution of communications systems, NSA requires a highly talented, diverse and technically focused workforce responsible for research and development of technologies and systems involving one or more of the following areas: traditional circuit switched networks; data networks; access technologies; wireless systems for the previous purposes; the media to carry such services; the protocols required for the completion of transport and services; operations of networks; management of network resources; provisioning of resources; traffic and/or performance modeling of such networks. Telecommunications Engineers will be expected to provide hands-on support for all aspects of site systems.

Given the pace of advances in our telecommunications environment and myriad of state and non-state adversaries, Telecommunications Engineers at the NSA develop, support and maintain the technologies and capabilities to maintain our advantage in both information gathering and national defense. We are looking for Telecommunications Engineers with strong knowledge of satellite communications networks and systems.

As a Telecommunications Engineer, your responsibilities can include:

- Assist in site surveys, system installations, configuration management, maintenance, modernization, and sustainment of a Global Enterprise SATCOM Network.
- Coordinate with the system engineering and dataflow efforts to ensure proper mission operations with minimal down time.
- Troubleshoot Basic IP Networks, and assist with the provisioning and installation of telecommunications equipment.
- Assist with setup, testing, and integration of VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) SATCOM systems. Install and set-up interconnectivity between systems and subsystems.
- Coordinate requirements with users and suppliers.
- Provide Tier 2 on-site and remote support to telecommunications equipment.
- Analyze problems to determine technical solutions.
- Decide what architectures will be required to solve technical problems.
- Develop conceptual designs or models to address requirements.
- Identify and assess organizational, business, or user needs, constraints, and requirements as they relate to the system, process, or structure being designed.
- Identify new and existing products, technologies, and/or architectures to solve design, development, and operational problems.
- Perform high-level design, specifying system and component performance and interface requirements.
- Understand WANS/CANS/LANS, telecommunication systems, their components and associated protocols and standards.
- Configure, manage, and sustain network infrastructure.
- Identify the types and functions of computer and telecommunications network elements, document their intercommunications, and map physical and logical target networks by graphing their communications.
- Troubleshoot networks, computers, and peripheral devices in order to isolate the causes of failures or problems.
- Validate testing and quality assurance of Information Technology (IT) systems.
- Conduct RF site surveys and include results in the design and performance assessments of RF systems.
- Work with and/or lead project teams to satisfy operational requirements for RF systems.

Job Summary

As an Engineering and Physical Science professional, you will use your skills to create the systems and tools that will be used to enhance the operation of intelligence. You will advise, administer and perform scientific projects, such as planning, designing, and constructing specialized equipment, and ensuring adherence to sound engineering and scientific standards and principles. The NSA offers multiple areas of focus for facilities engineers, including computer, architectural, electrical, mechanical, and structural. In addition, we are seeking skills that include computer design, microelectronics, radio frequency design, and systems engineering. Apply your science and engineering skills to protect the nation.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Degree must be in Engineering or Computer Science. For Engineering degrees, if program is not ABET accredited, it must include specified coursework.* A degree in Information Technology, Engineering Technology, or related will also be considered if it includes 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.

FULL PERFORMANCE
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.

Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: developing, designing, or integrating technical systems or subsystems; applying international telecommunication standards and protocols (for example, DWDM, VOIP, Layer 2/3 VPN, ISDN, SONET, or TCP/IP). Experience may also include managing projects and collaborating across organizations or agencies. Military training related to Telecommunications Engineering may count for experience. Any of the following certificates can count for up to one year of experience: Microsoft Certified Software Engineer (MCSE), Engineering in Training (EIT) certification, or CISCO certification (One year total maximum).

SENIOR
Entry is with a 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.

Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: developing, designing, or integrating technical systems or subsystems; applying international telecommunication standards and protocols (for example, ISDN, SONET, or TCP/IP). Experience may also include managing projects and collaborating across organizations or agencies. Military training related to Telecommunications Engineering may count for experience. Any of the following certificates can count for up to one year of experience: Microsoft Certified Software Engineer (MCSE), Engineering in Training (EIT) certification, or CISCO certification (One year total maximum).

Competencies

The ideal candidate is someone with excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills who is able to:

- Apply telecommunications techniques (e.g., related to transmissions, broadcasting, switching, control, operation).
- Apply the concepts, principles and theories of telecommunications, including their components and associated protocols and standards and how they integrate with one another (e.g., transmissions, switching, routing management).
- Apply concepts, principles, theories, and methods for evaluating and testing telecommunications and computer networks.
- Apply the concepts, principles, theories, and methods for network connectivity (e.g., routing, switching and IP addressing).
- Apply knowledge of communications theory to RF engineering problems.
- Optimize system performance through repeated adjustment, testing, and re-adjustment.
- Create and maintain documentation of system, subsystem, or equipment life cycle.
- Apply principles, methods, and applications of communication theory such as signal processing, decision theory, estimation theory and modulation-demodulation.
- Apply principles of electrical and communications systems; including aspects of energy conversion, electrical power generation, and energy transmission, control, distribution, or use.
- Apply principles of math, physics, electronics theory, electrical network theory, and control systems to the design, fabrication, and testing of devices that are designed to operate in the radio frequency spectrum.
- Apply principles and methods used for test planning, evaluation, verification, and validation of systems or system elements.

Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following is desired:

- Experience in satellite communications, line-of-sight microwave, installations and repair telecommunication network systems components in direct support of the government's mission.
- Experience with SATCOM network support to ensure proper operation, maintenance and engineering on relative satellite communications equipment and systems.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

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: $102,477 - $187,662 (Full Performance, Senior)
Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

On the job training, internal NSA courses, and external training will be made available based on the need and experience of the selectee.

Benefits: NSA offers excellent benefits to include relocation assistance, flexible work schedules, generous leave programs, paid personal fitness time, training and continuing education classes, health and life insurance, Federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and a Federal retirement plan.

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).

How to apply

Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position.

A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. **Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: , , and **

U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate. Please visit our Diversity link for more information

DCIPS Disclaimer

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 , 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.