Network Designer/Architect - Fort Meade, United States - National Security Agency

Description

The National Security Agency is a leader in deploying high-caliber solutions, continually moving forward and contributing to industry leading technologies. We are looking for results driven individuals that strive for excellence, enjoy the challenges of a fast paced environment and the desire to make a difference. We are looking for talented networking professionals to design, develop, deploy, sustain and monitor state-of-the-art network solutions (WAN, CAN, LAN, DCN and Satellite communications networks) that are deployed across NSA worldwide.
Network Professionals are hired into positions directly supporting a technical mission office or one of the different development programs like the Information Technology Development Program (ITDP) which is a three-year full-time development program. The goal of the development program is to provide entry-level information technology specialists (that is, individuals with degrees in computer science, information systems, information technology, and related degrees and experience) the opportunity to learn the various facets of the mission. These facets include:
- Development, engineering and deployment of NSA mission systems
- Architecture, development, building, and maintenance of NSA's fault-tolerant world-wide information technology infrastructure
- High-performance computing system development for cryptanalytic mission applications
- Human resources, financial, and other business data warehouse storage and access
- Information system security, engineering, testing, and evaluation.
Available positions are in penetration testing, defensive operations, identifying cyber threats and vulnerabilities and building defensive capabilities, designing, developing, deploying, sustaining and monitoring state-of-the-art network solutions (WAN, CAN, LAN, DCN and Satellite communications networks) that are deployed across NSA worldwide.

Are you an emerging or network professional who wants to work our nation's tough cybersecurity problems and protect our nation? The mission requires a strong offense and a steadfast defense. The offense collects, processes and disseminates intelligence information derived from foreign signals for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. The defense prevents adversaries from gaining access to sensitive classified national security information.

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree must be in Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Technology. Related fields will be considered if they include, at a minimum, 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 network or system administration. Additionally, experience must include one or more of the following areas: computer or information systems design/development, programming, information/cyber/network security, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, information assurance or systems engineering. If not credited toward education requirement, completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course), Undergraduate Cyber Training (UCT), Network Warfare Bridge Course (NWBC)/Intermediate Network Warfare Training (INWT), Cyber Defense Operations will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 20-24 weeks course will count as 6 months of experience, 10-14 weeks will count as 3 months of experience).
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. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 5 years of relevant experience.
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. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 8 years of relevant experience.

We are hiring networking professionals with education and/or experience in several of the following areas:
- VMWare and Virtualization platforms
- Multi-vendor infrastructure platforms (i.e., Cisco, Brocade, Juniper, Arista)
- Network encryption devices and WAN accelerators
- Multi-vendor Layer 3 routing protocols (i.e., BGP, OSFP, EIGRP, IGRP, HSRP, VRRP)
- Virtual Private Networking (i.e., MPLS, GRE, L2VPN, EVPN, Pseudowire, IPsec, MACSEC)
- Data center architectures and converged networks
- Current networking trends, including commercial implementations of Software Defined Networks (SDN) for both Data Center Network and WAN applications
- Load balancing and Application Delivery Controller technologies and implementations
- WAN architectures (i.e., Carrier Ethernet, Optical Fabrics (OTN), SONET)
- Network monitoring tools (i.e., NetFlow Tracker, HP Network Node Manager, Cisco LMS, Cisco Call Manager, Wireshark, and Splunk)
- Network Modeling (RiverBed/OPNet, NetSim)
- Network Boundary (Next Generation Firewalls (Palo Alto, Cisco FIREPOWER), IPSEC/SSL VPN Concentrators)
- Cross Domain Solutions (SafeNet MDeX System, OWL Cyber Defense Cross Domain Solutions)
- Technical certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCNP, SEC+)
The ideal candidate is someone with excellent problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills who is/can:
- Motivated
- Flexible
- Innovative
- Work effectively in diverse environments
- Well-organized
- Handle multiple assignments

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 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 8 hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).

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. NSA is also committed to the promotion of diversity within its workforce. 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

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.