As a Testing and Evaluation Specialist, you will be responsible for developing and conducting unit and system tests to ensure compliance with customer requirements. Your role will involve evaluating and validating cyberspace operations capabilities, analyzing test results, and making informed recommendations based on your findings. This position requires expertise in penetration testing, vulnerability analysis, and quality assurance testing.
Summary
As a Testing and Evaluation Specialist, you will be responsible for developing and conducting unit and system tests to ensure compliance with customer requirements. Your role will involve evaluating and validating cyberspace operations capabilities, analyzing test results, and making informed recommendations based on your findings. This position requires expertise in penetration testing, vulnerability analysis, and quality assurance testing.
Your primary responsibilities will include engaging with internal stakeholders and customer organizations to serve as an Agency Representative. You will analyze technical problems to develop and implement test procedures, ensuring conformity with specifications and standards. Additionally, you will document processes, analyses, and results, and evaluate software and hardware tests to maintain high-quality standards.
All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564.
Qualifications
FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry is with 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. An Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.
SENIOR
Entry is with 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 and 2 years of relevant experience. An Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position.
Relevant experience must be in engineering of computer or information systems over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, design, development, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, and/or systems engineering. Completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course) will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 24-week JCAC course will count as 6 months of experience).
Education
Degree must be in Computer Science (CS) or related field (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics). Degrees in Information Technology, Information Systems, Information Security, Networking (Systems Administration), Information Assurance, and Cybersecurity may be considered relevant if the programs contain, at minimum, a concentration of courses in the following foundational CS areas: algorithms; computer architecture (not network architecture); programming methodologies and languages; data structures; logic and computation; and upper-level mathematics.
**Note: Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended into your Candidate Profile, prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. Minimum qualifications for this position require a degree that demonstrates a concentration of computer science (CS) courses in foundational CS areas.**
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 - $192,764 (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.
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.
To excel in this role, it would be highly beneficial if you have advanced knowledge of computer virtualization, network engineering, and systems engineering principles, as well as proficiency in both computer software and hardware engineering. The ideal candidate should also be familiar with performing test automation, creating test scripts, and have experience working in a test and evaluation position supporting the US Government, as well as in Agile development environments. You will be expected to apply compliance standards and policies relevant to the NSA/CSS mission and demonstrate strong decision-making and problem-solving skills. Excellent organizational abilities, thoroughness, and the capability to communicate effectively via various channels are essential.
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.
The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
