Fresh Listing

Posted: January 7, 2026 (7 days ago)

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Computer Systems Architect - Mid to Experienced Level (Maryland)

National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Department of Defense

Fresh

Salary

$105,262 - $192,764

per year

Closes

January 14, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job at the NSA involves designing and improving computer systems to handle sensitive information securely, using a mix of existing and new technologies to solve tough technical challenges.

It suits computer science experts who enjoy researching innovations, working on big projects, and collaborating with teams to modernize IT setups.

Ideal candidates have strong backgrounds in programming, system design, and security, with a passion for creating reliable data solutions.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field with foundational courses in algorithms, computer architecture, programming, data structures, logic, and advanced math
  • Relevant experience in designing, developing, and maintaining computer or information systems, including hardware/software lifecycle from requirements to deployment
  • For full performance level: Bachelor's + 3 years, Master's + 1 year, or Doctoral with no experience; Associate's + 5 years may qualify with in-depth expertise
  • For senior level: Bachelor's + 6 years, Master's + 4 years, or Doctoral + 2 years; Associate's + 8 years may qualify with in-depth expertise
  • Skills in programming, computer systems research, reverse engineering, and/or computer/network security
  • Military training like JCAC (24-week course counts as 6 months experience)
  • Ability to attach transcripts showing required CS and math coursework

Full Job Description

NSA is in search of Computer Science professionals to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches and research new solutions to storing, manipulating, and presenting information.

We are looking for you to apply your computer science expertise to projects that seek to create new standards for the transformation of information.

For more information, please visit: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1252396 The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Degree must be in Computer Science (CS).

Related fields (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics, Information Technology, Information Systems) 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 advanced mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics).

Relevant experience must be in the design/development of computer or information systems and include engineering hardware and/or software over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, computer systems research, reverse engineering, and/or computer/network security.

Completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course) will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 24-week JCAC course will count as 6 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.

An Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.

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 and 2 years of relevant experience.

An Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position. Major Duties:

Computer Systems Architects at NSA use commercial and government developed hardware, software, networking, and security products to: - drive information technology projects - produce compliance results for established project requirements and IT architecture - modernize IT architecture through analysis of research and introducing changes based on evolving project requirements - integrate industry trends, emerging technologies and standards, and new vendor features - collaborate with experts in technical and application teams to identify, evaluate, and recommend technical solutions to support project requirements - define and analyze data requirements, mapping legacy data stores and formats to logical and physical data models - propose standard ways for information transport between IT systems and stored within corporate knowledge databases - perform architectural alignment of the enterprise logical data model and physical data models **Please attach a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended when applying for this position.

Providing a copy of your transcripts is essential since the minimum qualifications for this position require a specific degree that demonstrates a concentration of courses in foundational Computer Science (CS) areas as well as mathematics.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/7/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/8/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 1252396