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Applied Research Mathematician / Generative AI - Experienced to Expert Level (Maryland)

Department of Defense
National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Summary

Are you a cyber professional with the drive and expertise to be on the forefront of the cyber fight; tackling NSA's complex mission to defend against cyber threats of today and tomorrow? NSA, the nation's leading cyber agency, has exciting and challenging positions in Cyber Security Engineering and Cyber and TEMPEST vulnerability analysis/mitigation. Are you ready to help secure our Nation's critical Infrastructure? If so, NSA is the place for you!

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 08/02/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 2, 2026
Location
many vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$132,751 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 13 - 15
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
1260408
Control number
877145900

Videos

Duties

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Apply in-depth knowledge of the joint planning process to develop detailed Operational Plans and Orders supporting COCOM Cyberspace Operations' requirements. Use Joint, Service and Interagency planning and operational experience to conduct strategic and operational level planning across the full range of military operations for integrated information and cyberspace operations. Develop and maintain deliberate and crisis plans. Collaborate with Cyber Operators to identify and levy requirements for intelligence collection and analysis, participate in targeting selection, validation, synchronization, and execution of complex cyber missions. Has sufficient technical knowledge to understand cyber capabilities, target vulnerabilities, and effects. Collaborate with Cyber Operators, Analysts, and RDT&E Engineers to gain access and technical intelligence to meet planning objectives.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564

Qualifications

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

Relevant experience must be in an area directly related to an NSA mission (e.g., collection, cyber and intelligence analysis) and/or a similar mission in the IC or DoD, and include strategic and/or operational level planning (e.g., joint operations).External engagement/collaboration experience (e.g., participation in cross-Agency working groups, JDA, field assignments, and external customer support) is preferred.

FULL PERFORMANCE

Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or 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.

SENIOR

Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 10 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or 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 plus 2 years of relevant experience.

Education

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

Degree in Cyber Security, Information Assurance or related field is preferred, but a degree in any field is acceptable.

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: $73,591 - $181,216 (Full Performance, Senior) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

On the job training, internal NSA courses, and external training will be made available based on the need and experience of the selectee.

Benefits: NSA offers excellent benefits to include relocation assistance, flexible work schedules, generous leave programs, paid personal fitness time, training and continuing education classes, health and life insurance, Federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and a Federal retirement plan.

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).

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Desired experience includes:

Cyber planning, cybersecurity operations, mission management, vulnerabilities, troubleshoot, mitigations, network defense, requirements management, cyber security technical knowledge, strategy and process development, project management, program management, technical writing, finished SIGINT report evaluation, partnership and customer relations (i.e. DoD, USCYBERCOM, DISA, JTFHQ DoDIN, DIB partners), joint doctrine and military planning certifications and education, coordination, communication, strong interpersonal skills, problem identification and resolution.

Additional expectations may include your ability to:

- Represent the Agency in interactions with outside customers, DoD, Congressional representatives, foreign partners, or the general public.
- Represent the Agency or its subordinate organizations to customers, suppliers, and stakeholders.
- Review Information Needs (INs) to understand operational, tactical or strategic mission requirements.
- Submit a request for information (RFI) related to target and/or mission requirements.
- Identify intelligence gaps related to target and/or mission requirements.
- Develop a strategic course of action based on target vulnerabilities, anomalous network activity, and/or mission capabilities.
- Develop an operational or tactical course of action based on target vulnerabilities, anomalous network activity, and/or mission capabilities.
- Evaluate methods, tools, and techniques that can be used to secure information/communication systems and the facilities that house them.
- Develop mitigation strategies and countermeasures to address vulnerabilities of networks, products, and services.
- Document analytic findings relevant to computer network defense.
- Maintain situational awareness of current computer network defense conditions using information from external data sources (for example, computer network defense vendor sites, CERTS, SANS, Security Focus).
- Recommend vulnerability mitigation strategies based on evaluation results.
- Maintain operational, technical, and authoritative situational awareness during operations.
- Create work teams with appropriate employees to accomplish work goals.

National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Agency contact information

NSA POC

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