Hardware Engineer (High Performance Computing Digital Design Engineering) - Entry Level (Maryland)

Responsibilities:
With the ever-increasing technological complexities in the world of supercomputers, we need talented computer and electrical engineers to be part of our team architecting, designing and verifying the next generation of high performance computing solutions (HPCS) that will support of our mission. Our goal is to provide supercomputers of the highest quality to ensure the success of the NSA and its partners.

The areas of responsibility may include one or more of the following:

- Accelerating application performance using Register Transfer Level (RTL) design
- Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) firmware development and integration
- RTL design closure using logic simulation, functional verification, synthesis, and timing analysis
- Printed Circuit Board (PCB) logic design, simulation and test
- PCB layout
- Signal Integrity / Power Integrity
- Commercial systems acquisition and contracting

- Create and maintain documentation on technical information
- Operate specialized scientific and technical equipment
- Attend conferences and communicate with people in a particular technical field to keep abreast of new technologies and information
- Conduct research including studies, experiments, and investigations
- Research emerging technologies for application(s) within the Agency
- Serve as a subject matter expert to support research and development efforts
- Work with customers to clarify their needs and to determine how their needs can be met
- Modeling and simulation to evaluate design alternatives

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

- Motivated
- Creative
- Able to work effectively across several different functional areas in a collaborative environment
- Well-organized and able to handle multiple assignments
- Customer service and requirements focused
- Detail oriented

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

- Concepts, theories, and methods for designing, analyzing, testing, and verifying large scale computational and data storage systems
- Translate conceptual designs into technical specifications
- Designing digital logic (e.g., FPGAs, ASICs)
- Experience using Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools
- Unified Verification Methodology (UVM)
- Applying engineering principles to design and layout PCBs
- Firmware development for configuring and controlling hardware devices
- Evaluate information in technical documents to understand its importance and significance
- Operate specialized scientific and technical equipment
- Applied Cryptography and Mathematics
- Programming Languages (C, C++, OpenCL, Perl, Python, TCL)
- Hardware description languages (VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog)
- Computer System Architecture and Design
- Computer Networks and Security
- CPU and GPU processor architectures
- Memory, interconnect, and storage architectures

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: $87,362 - $123,388 (Entry/Developmental)
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, \