Demo

Engineering Specialist/Technician - Experienced Level (Maryland)

US National Security Agency/Central Security...
Fort Meade, MD Full Time
POSTED ON 5/12/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/12/2026

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. For more information, please visit: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1257619

Learn more about this agency


This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Duties

Do you have vocational/technical training in Technical Trades, Electronics, Computers, Drafting, Engineering, or Networking? Do you enjoy building, installing, modifying, repairing, fabricating prototyping parts/mechanisms, and/or testing electronic equipment?

The National Security Agency (NSA) is seeking highly motivated Engineering Specialists/Technicians - Technical Trades to help build, install, modify, repair, fabricate prototype parts/mechanisms, and/or test electronic equipment. The responsibilities of an Engineering Specialist/Technician may include:

  • Installing, operating, maintaining, troubleshooting and/or repairing of equipment and systems in accordance with applicable standards and processes
  • Performing rack, stack, and cabling of equipment in IT machine rooms
  • Maintaining Configuration Items (CI) in a centralized data base
  • Capturing and tracking IT machine room Power, Space, and Cooling
  • Serving as an Access Manager for IT machine rooms
  • Operating industrial/production equipment, machinery (Lathes, CNC, EDM, Mills, Waterjet, Welder, Industrial Printers, Routers, 3D Printers, Electro Plating, Vacuum Casting/Forming, Injection Molding, Industrial Painting/Finishing, and Textile) and tools such as machine tools, presses, air compressors, and packaging equipment
  • Operating mechanized material-handling equipment (for example, forklifts, hand trucks)
  • Informing customers, management, or relevant others of work progress, project status, and problems
- Ordering, procuring, receiving, inspecting, and/or verifying ordered supplies, materials, or equipment - Driving vehicles, such as cars, vans, or trucks to transport cargo or passengers
  • 3D scanning, metrology, and hardware reverse engineering

When submitting your application, please ensure that you fully populate all sections of the resume tool with all relevant skills, experience, and education, as the resume entered into the tool will be the primary resume used to evaluate your application. Please do NOT populate the resume tool with 'see resume.'


Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.

Qualifications

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

Degree must be in an Engineering or an Engineering Technology related field. If qualifying with a high school diploma/GED, must have applicable Vocational/Technical or Military training (for example, Electronics, Computers, Drafting, Engineering, Manufacturing, or Networking).

Relevant experience must include one or more of the following: providing engineering technical support for the development, fabrication, testing, or site installation of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or software products/systems; assisting in assembling, modifying, debugging, or testing prototype products; working as an electrician or with electronic or appliance repair. Relevant experience may also include formal or informal experience working with computers, robotics, electronics, or manufacturing, electronic shop experience, or experience with schematic diagrams, environmental testing, and quality assurance testing.

Commercial industry certifications, such as the MASE (Master Automotive Service Excellence), would count for two years of experience.

SENIOR
Entry is with a high school diploma or GED, plus applicable training, plus 6 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.

Education

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

Degree must be in an Engineering or an Engineering Technology related field. If qualifying with a high school diploma/GED, must have applicable Vocational/Technical or Military training (for example, Electronics, Computers, Drafting, Engineering, Manufacturing, or Networking).

Additional 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: $85,447 - $158,322 (Senior)
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.


Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.


How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The ideal candidate has a desire for continual learning along with excellent problem-solving, analytic, and interpersonal skills, who is:

  • Innovative
  • Well-organized
  • Able to handle and prioritize multiple assignments
  • Able to accomplish assignments with little direct supervision
  • Able to communicate effectively both orally and written
  • Medically clearable for worldwide travel
  • Able to work effectively across several different functional areas in a collaborative environment

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

  • Working at heights to include antenna towers
  • Soldering of electronic components
  • Troubleshooting of electrical and mechanical devices
  • RF amplification and distribution
  • Power distribution
  • Fabrication of RF and multi-conductor cable assemblies
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • 3D print
  • Rapid prototyping
  • FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
  • SLA (Stereo Lithography Apparatus)
  • Laser sintering
  • SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)
  • DLMS (Direct Laser metal Sintering)
  • Plastic Powder Bed 3D printing
  • Metal Powder Bed 3D Printing
  • Tool & Die Machining
  • CNC (Computer Numerical Control) programming
  • CAD (Computer-Aided Design)/CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)
  • Fabrication
  • Sheet Metal Fabrication
  • Welding
  • Electro-plating
  • Industrial painting
  • Punch press
  • Press brake
  • Water jet
  • DAWIA Certification may be required

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.


How to Apply

To apply, please visit: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1257619


Agency contact information

NSA POC
Phone
1-844-424-4737
Email
intelcareers@nsa.gov
Address
NSA External Hiring
9800 Savage Road
Fort Meade, MD 20755
US

Next steps

To apply, please visit: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1257619


Overview

Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/11/2026 to 05/25/2026
Salary
$85,447 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 11 - 13
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Fort Meade, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
  • 0132 Intelligence
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
  • National security
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
1257619
Control number
868823300

Salary : $85,447 - $158,322

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