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Target Systems Analyst - Mid to Experienced Level (Maryland)

Department of Defense
National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Summary

Signals Analysis is a cutting-edge technical discipline that seeks to identify the purpose, content and user(s) of signals. Given today's rapidly evolving global communications, the NSA must maintain and develop a highly talented and diverse workforce of Signals Analysts who are a vital part in maintaining our technical capabilities to use the most sophisticated means to recover, understand, and derive intelligence from all manner of foreign signals.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 07/25/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 25, 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
$105,262 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 11 - 14
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
1260606
Control number
877146100

Videos

Duties

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The professionals at the National Security Agency (NSA) have one common goal: to protect our nation. The mission requires a strong offense and a steadfast defense. The offense collects, processes and disseminates intelligence information derived from foreign signals for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. The defense prevents adversaries from gaining access to sensitive or classified national security information.

Depending on education and experience, the following opportunities will apply:

Target Systems Analysts (TSAs) are hired into positions directly supporting a technical mission office. The work done by our Analysts is of the utmost importance to National Security and the defense of our Nation. Only the most skilled and dedicated are able to join our team. If you have what it takes please apply and be part of the agency that is on the front line of Modern Warfare.

TSAs focus on telemetry signals used in the defense industry that includes spacecraft monitoring, aircraft development, and weapons system testing. Telemetry is used by manned and unmanned spacecraft for various data transmissions including monitoring the health of astronauts as well as the health and status of the actual spacecraft. Telemetry for weapons testing includes monitoring temperatures, vibrations, accelerations, positions and status of various subsystems. Telemetry is also used for range safety related to flight testing to determine flight termination criteria. The role of a TSA is to reverse engineer the telemetry data transmitted by various systems to determine the performance characteristics and capabilities of these systems.

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

FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry is with a degree (Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate) plus 3 years of relevant experience. The following may be considered for individuals with experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience; OR completion of relevant military training, for example, 9141 (Navy Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 1N2A (Air Force Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 451/461 (Intermediate Signals Analysis) 452 (Advanced Signals Analysis), or Military Signals Analysis Program (MSAP), plus 5 years of relevant experience.

SENIOR
Entry is with a degree (Bachelor's, Masters or Doctorate) plus 6 years of relevant experience. The following may be considered for individuals with experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience; OR completion of relevant military training, for example, 9141 (Navy Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 1N2A (Air Force Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 451/461 (Intermediate Signals Analysis) 452 (Advanced Signals Analysis), or Military Signals Analysis Program (MSAP), plus 8 years of relevant experience.

Education

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

Degree must be in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, a Physical Science, or a related technical field. A broader range of degrees will be considered for those who have completed a relevant military training program, for example, 9141 (Navy Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 1N2A (Air Force Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 451/461 (Intermediate Signals Analysis), 452 (Advanced Signals Analysis), or Military Signals Analysis Program (MSAP).

Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: signals analysis (COMINT, ELINT, FISINT or PROFORMA) in the Intelligence Community related to weapons systems, satellite, or electronic signals, or design and engineering of aerospace systems, one or more year of which must be outside of a development/training program.

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: $105,262-197,200 (Full Performance, 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).

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.

The ideal candidate is someone with a desire for continual learning and strong problem-solving, analytic and interpersonal skills who is/can:
- accountable
- flexible
- resilient
- communicate effectively
- collaborate with others

Specialized skills and experience in one or more of the following is desired:
-aero engineering or mechanical engineering degrees with some aero/space/telemetry/weapons experience
- applying specialized tools and computer-based programs to process data for analytic problems
- assessing applicability of available tools to various situations
- combining analytics, tools, and visualization to support analysis
- interpreting output of specialized tools and computer-based programs
- programming / script development
- weapon system design or testing
- telemetry system design or implementation

NOTE: A copy of your unofficial transcript is highly encouraged to be submitted with your application to expedite processing.

National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Agency contact information

NSA POC

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Learn more about what it's like to work at National Security Agency/Central Security Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.nsa.gov/careers/

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