IT Specialist (APPSW) Kafka Engineer positions are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Many" do not apply.
Summary
IT Specialist (APPSW) Kafka Engineer positions are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Many" do not apply.
This announcement serves as public notice. Applications submitted be placed into a pool and will remain on file for selection as positions become available.
Vacancies may be filled for up to 6 months after the closing date of this announcement. Applicants may not receive notifications of referral status until the full 6-month eligibility period has elapsed.
Positions filled with applications from this pool will be placed into positions where artificial intelligence duties occupy the majority of the work performed.
Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required
Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results
Selectees may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period
Relocation expenses will not be paid
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Qualifications
Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information.
Duties
Design, develop, and maintain robust Kafka-based applications and data pipelines that support SSA's business operations, including the real-time or near-real-time data to AI/ML models.
Collaborate with development, operations, and infrastructure teams to deliver reliable, scalable, and high-performing Kafka solutions.
Ensure the availability, reliability, and performance of Kafka clusters and related systems.
Work closely with architects, data engineers, and stakeholders to define requirements and deliver solutions.
Troubleshoot and resolve issues in Kafka applications, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal performance.
Document code, design decisions, processes, configurations, and best practices for future reference and team knowledge sharing.
Mentor junior developers and share Kafka expertise, fostering a culture of learning and growth.
Stay current with the latest Kafka releases, features, and ecosystem advancements.
Perform statistical analysis to monitor team performance, improve processes, and ensure customer satisfaction.
Define and set SLAs for projects, ensuring high standards of service delivery.
READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION.
Applicants must qualify for the series and grade of the posted position.Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. Your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and proficiency of any required competencies to perform the specific position for which you are applying.
To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, the applicant must demonstrate the following competencies:
Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; know about available products and services; and is committed to providing quality products and services.
Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
Minimum Qualifications: Grade 14 To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-13 level, or equivalent, designing, developing, and maintaining scalable, fault-tolerant data pipelines using Apache Kafka; managing and administering Kafka clusters throughout the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including upgrades and patching; leading large-scale projects, serving as a Product Owner or Agile/Scrum team lead; demonstrating strong programming skills in Java, with Python experience as a plus; utilizing Kafka APIs (Producer, Consumer, Streams, Connect) for event-driven and microservices-based solutions; applying knowledge of serialization formats (Avro, Protobuf, JSON) and schema registry/data governance, including Hackolade for data modeling; optimizing producer/consumer performance and handling large-scale data ingestion; implementing unit and integration testing for Kafka applications; configuring and tuning Kafka clusters for performance, reliability, and scalability; monitoring and troubleshooting Kafka clusters using tools such as Prometheus and Grafana; supporting hybrid integration architecture patterns.
Minimum Qualifications: Grade 15 To qualify at the GS-15 level, you must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-14 level, or equivalent, leading the design, development, and implementation of enterprise-scale, fault-tolerant data pipelines using Apache Kafka; providing expert-level management and administration of Kafka clusters throughout the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including upgrades and patching; overseeing large-scale, cross-functional projects as a senior Product Owner or Agile/Scrum leader, ensuring alignment with organizational goals; demonstrating advanced proficiency in Java programming, with experience in Python as a plus; architecting event-driven and microservices-based solutions leveraging Kafka APIs (Producer, Consumer, Streams, Connect); establishing and enforcing best practices for serialization formats (Avro, Protobuf, JSON) and schema registry/data governance, including Hackolade for data modeling; directing the optimization of producer/consumer performance and large-scale data ingestion strategies; leading the implementation of unit and integration testing frameworks for Kafka applications; managing hybrid integration architecture patterns and ensuring reliability, scalability, and performance of Kafka clusters; overseeing monitoring and troubleshooting activities using tools such as Prometheus and Grafana; providing technical guidance and mentorship to teams on Kafka cluster setup, configuration, and tuning; ensuring compliance with organizational standards and data governance policies.
PLEASE NOTE: This specialized experience is REQUIRED and must be explicitly documented/described in your resume, or you will be disqualified from further consideration.
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
See announcement cutoff dates below under How to Apply.
Are you ready to help power the data infrastructure that serves over 330 million Americans? The Social Security Administration (SSA) is seeking passionate Kafka Engineers to join our innovative technology team. Whether you're a seasoned expert in Kafka-based applications and data pipelines or an early-career developer eager to learn and grow, this is your opportunity to work on mission-critical systems that drive the nation's most trusted digital services.
As a Kafka Engineer at SSA, you'll work with cutting-edge event streaming technologies to design, build, and maintain scalable, high-performance data pipelines. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, solve complex challenges, and help deliver reliable, secure, and innovative solutions that support millions of Americans every day.
If you're ready to take your career to the next level-whether you're a proven Kafka expert or an ambitious learner-apply today and help us build the future of digital government services at SSA!
Recruitment incentive may be authorized.
Outstationing may be available at the GS15 level.
Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This Direct Hire announcement may be used to fill the same or similar position in another office.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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.
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 evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the online assessment questions completed during the application process.
Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation.
Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.
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.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
Other documents supporting qualifications and/or preference, if applicable.
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered. To be considered, your resume must:
Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position
Include your contact information
We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Candidates must also provide:
proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.
Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority for these positions.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the cutoff date of the announcement or closing date to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the cut-off date or announcement closing date.
Announcement cutoff dates:
2/12/26
2/19/26
2/26/26
3/05/26
3/12/26
3/19/26
3/26/26
4/02/26
4/09/26
4/16/26
4/23/26
4/30/26
5/07/26
5/14/26
5/21/26
5/28/26
6/04/26
6/11/26
6/18/26
6/25/26
7/02/26
7/09/26
7/16/26
7/23/26
8/04/26
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Careers at SSA at Careers@ssa.gov.
Individuals with disabilities may also call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided.
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
OCIO Front Office
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive an email notification acknowledging receipt of your application.
The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. if desired. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
Other documents supporting qualifications and/or preference, if applicable.
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered. To be considered, your resume must:
Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position
Include your contact information
We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Candidates must also provide:
proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.
Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority for these positions.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the cutoff date of the announcement or closing date to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the cut-off date or announcement closing date.
Announcement cutoff dates:
2/12/26
2/19/26
2/26/26
3/05/26
3/12/26
3/19/26
3/26/26
4/02/26
4/09/26
4/16/26
4/23/26
4/30/26
5/07/26
5/14/26
5/21/26
5/28/26
6/04/26
6/11/26
6/18/26
6/25/26
7/02/26
7/09/26
7/16/26
7/23/26
8/04/26
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Careers at SSA at Careers@ssa.gov.
Individuals with disabilities may also call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided.
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
OCIO Front Office
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive an email notification acknowledging receipt of your application.
The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. if desired. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
