Cryptography Researcher – Electrical & Computer Engineering

Responsibilities Do you want to work on the cryptography that protects our nation's most sensitive systems and see it fielded in the real world? We're looking for engineers who can turn cutting-edge cryptographic research into working, deployable capabilities. Within NSA's Research Directorate, the Cryptography for Cybersecurity organization researches and designs secure cryptographic algorithms and drives the integration of modern cryptographic capabilities into U.S. National Security Systems. Our multi-disciplinary team of mathematicians, computer scientists, and engineers designs new public-key and symmetric cryptography for a wide range of mission customers, spanning space and satellite systems, special operations, tactical communications, and low size, weight, and power (SWaP) environments. A significant portion of our current work is focused on the design, evaluation, and transition of post-quantum cryptography, to secure National Security Systems against the threat of quantum computers. We are seeking an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher to work at the intersection of cryptographic design and real-world application. In this role, you will serve as the bridge between mission customers and our research team. You will capture operational requirements and system constraints from customer organizations and bring them back to the mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists who develop cryptography for specialized target environments. These environments frequently present challenges such as low-bandwidth or error-prone channels, tight protocol and interface constraints, and demanding performance targets ranging from high-speed networking to tactical edge devices. You will prototype and implement candidate algorithms in hardware and software, evaluate them on representative systems, and estimate their performance in the customer's operational environment. You will ensure the secure algorithms that are developed can be translated into secure implementations, covering topics such as resilience to implementation mistakes and side-channel attacks. A successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of, and experience in, at least three of the following: - Hardware design and implementation targeting FPGAs (VHDL/Verilog, vendor toolchains); ASIC design experience a plus - Software development in C, Rust, and/or Python for implementation, testing, and tooling - Embedded systems design, including operating systems, real-time constraints, and resource-constrained platforms - Applied cryptography and cryptographic engineering (public-key and/or symmetric algorithms, modes, and protocols) - Performance analysis, modeling, benchmarking, and optimization of algorithms in hardware and/or embedded software - Communications and networking concepts, including error-prone/low-bandwidth links, framing, and protocol design Responsibilities for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher position include, but are not limited to: - Engaging with customer organizations to elicit requirements, characterize the target system and operating environment, and communicate constraints back to the cryptographic design team - Collaborating with mathematicians, computer scientists, and engineers to develop and refine both symmetric and public-key cryptographic algorithms and protocols for constrained, noisy, low-bandwidth, and high-performance environments - Designing, implementing, and testing candidate symmetric and public-key algorithms in hardware (primarily FPGA, occasionally ASIC) and embedded software to evaluate correctness, performance, and resource utilization - Developing reference and optimized implementations, test vectors, and test harnesses to validate algorithm and protocol behavior - Estimating and modeling algorithm performance (throughput, latency, memory, power, area) in customer environments, and presenting trade studies to inform design decisions - Integrating cryptographic components into protocols and embedded systems, and assessing interface, framing, and error-handling impacts on the overall design - Contributing to the evaluation and transition of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms for National Security Systems - Staying abreast of current research in cryptographic engineering and implementation, and incorporating state-of-the-art techniques into designs and evaluations - Performing side-channel analysis of candidate implementations, including timing and power measurements, and applying countermeasures to produce side-channel-resistant designs Job Summary The NSA invites you to be part of an elite research team designing the cryptography that protects our nation's most sensitive communications. As an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher, you will translate mission needs into cryptographic solutions. You will partner with customers across space, special operations, tactical, and SWaP constrained domains. You will work alongside world-class mathematicians and engineers to design, prototype, and evaluate new symmetric and public-key algorithms and protocols. Your hardware and software expertise will directly shape how next-generation cryptography, including post-quantum cryptography, is realized and deployed in National Security Systems. Your efforts will help protect U.S. and allied warfighters, deliver critical intelligence to decision makers, and defend vital networks against our adversaries. Qualifications The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in either (1) Engineering, (2) Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college, or (3) a relevant professional technical field (for example, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology). For Engineering degrees, if program is not ABET accredited, it must include 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. Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: performing engineering or physical sciences work, or conducting academic or independent research in a technical field (for example, mathematics, engineering, cognitive sciences and physical sciences). SENIOR Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 3 years of relevant experience. EXPERT Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 6 years of relevant experience. 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: $132,751 - $197,200 (Senior, Expert) 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. How To Apply - External 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 noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com** 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 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process. The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application) 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position. DCIPS Disclaimer VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS** Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application. Acceptable documentation includes: - DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR - Certification of Service: A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; AND - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND - VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating) You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). **Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process. Skills Engage with internal stakeholders, including partner and customer organizations, and individual employees. - Develop functional, process, operational, or user requirements. - Perform high-level design, specifying system and component performance and interface requirements. - Translate conceptual designs into technical specifications. - Create computer algorithms, data models, and protocols. - Evaluate technical proposals. - Use modeling or simulation to evaluate designs. - Characterize systems performance properties, capabilities, and vulnerabilities. - Optimize system performance through repeated adjustment, testing, and re-adjustment. - Evaluate research for practical application. - Research emerging technologies for application(s) within the Agency. - Review scientific or technical literature to support research efforts.