Computer Systems Architect - Entry Level (Maryland)
Posted Updated
If you have a background in computer science and a passion for working with emerging technology and driving IT projects, join our team at NSA. Our experts work on cutting-edge innovations that solve complex problems affecting national security. The candidate will be immersed in programs focused on technical designs and implementing policies and control practices for NSA's Enterprise Cybersecurity programs.
The Computer Architect is responsible for planning, designing, and governing the architecture of enterprise computing systems that support the mission, operations, and strategic objectives of the agency. This position provides technical leadership in the development of secure, scalable, resilient, and interoperable information technology solutions that comply with federal laws, regulations, and government-wide architecture standards. The Computer Architect develops architecture frameworks, reviews system designs, and provides technical guidance throughout the system development lifecycle to ensure compliance with applicable federal policies, including those related to cybersecurity, privacy, accessibility, records management, and information technology governance. Additionally, this role supports capital planning and investment control activities, technology roadmaps, risk management efforts, compliance efforts, and continuity of operations planning, while promoting innovation, operational efficiency, and responsible stewardship of government resources.
Applicants will be considered for three Areas of Specialization. Additional information on each can be found in the Responsibilities section.
- Environment Maintenance and Sustainment
- Enterprise IT Architecture
- Advanced Computing Systems
Note: Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. The minimum qualifications for this position require a degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science (CS) courses in foundational CS areas. The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree must be in Computer Science (CS). Related fields (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics, Information Technology, Information Systems) 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 advanced mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics).
Relevant experience must be in the design/development of computer or information systems and include engineering hardware and/or software over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, computer systems research, reverse engineering, and/or computer/network security. 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).
ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL
Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. An Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position. Computer Systems Architects at NSA use commercial and government-developed hardware, software, networking, and security products to design, develop, and optimize the structure and performance of computer systems and computing platforms.
Responsibilities may include:
- Modernize IT architecture through analysis of research and introducing changes based on evolving project requirements by designing, developing, and optimizing the structure and performance of computer systems and computing platforms
- Integrate industry trends, by evaluating and selecting emerging technologies to improve system performance, scalability, reliability, and efficiency through technologies and standards and new vendor features
- Evaluate emerging technologies, standards and new vendor features, while supporting research and development efforts for new technologies, networking solutions, virtualization, cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities
- Collaborate with experts in technical and application teams to identify, evaluate and recommend technical solutions to support project requirements
- Produce compliance results for established project requirements and IT architecture while ensuring systems architecture meet security, reliability, availability and regulatory compliance requirements
- Define and analyze data requirements, mapping legacy data stores and formats to logical and physical data models, review technical designs providing guidance on architectural best practices
- Propose standard ways for information transport between IT systems and stored within corporate knowledge databases
- Perform architectural alignment of the enterprise logical data model and physical data models, while supporting capacity planning and long-term infrastructure strategy to accommodate organizational growth
- Create technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and design specifications for stakeholders and development teams
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineering teams
Multiple opportunities are available in the following Areas of Specialization (AOS):
AOS: Environment Maintenance and Sustainment (EMS)
The selectee will be responsible for the maintenance and sustainment of advanced computing systems, ensuring their continuous operation and optimal performance. This role focuses on the upkeep and enhancement of existing systems rather than architectural design. The selectee will perform routine maintenance tasks to ensure the stability and performance of advanced computing systems, staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices related to system maintenance and sustainment. They will work with technical teams to identify, configure, and assess system upgrades and patches, articulating and mitigating issues as needed. The selectee will implement system updates, patches, and enhancements to ensure the continuous operation of advanced computing systems, provide technical guidance and support to other team members and organizational units as needed, and troubleshoot and resolve system-related issues. Additionally, they will conduct routine audits and vulnerability analyses to ensure the security and integrity of advanced computing systems, integrate and configure hardware and software components to meet maintenance and performance requirements, monitor system health and status, and ensure compliance with relevant security policies, standards, and regulations.
AOS: Enterprise IT Architecture (EIA)
The selectee will be responsible for providing robust and secure services that manage and protect the identities, credentials, and access permissions of users and systems within the NSA enterprise, while also serving the IC and DOW communities. This role involves developing and implementing encryption as a service and key management as a service for users across the agency and the Intelligence Community (IC). The selectee will manage digital rights management, and enterprise encryption libraries, ensuring continuous availability and optimal performance of these systems. They will collaborate with stakeholders to define system requirements and develop detailed technical specifications, providing technical guidance and support to other team members and organizational units as needed. The selectee will also be responsible for conducting risk assessments and vulnerability analyses to ensure the security and integrity of encryption services and key management systems. Additionally, they will troubleshoot and resolve issues related to these services, develop and maintain documentation for system configurations, processes, and procedures, and ensure compliance with relevant security policies, standards, and regulations.
AOS: Advanced Computing Systems (ACS)
The selectee will be responsible for researching and evaluating next-generation cross-domain technologies. This presents an opportunity to work with commercial vendors to assess new tools that will shape the enterprise by identifying and configuring innovative solutions to facilitate secure data transfer across security domains. This role requires a strong understanding of operating systems, product evaluation, security protocols, network architecture, and systems integration to support cross-domain technologies, cloud computing, and virtualization technologies. The selectee will be responsible for conducting risk assessments and vulnerability analyses to ensure the security and integrity of cross-domain data transfers. They will integrate hardware and software component configurations to meet security and performance requirements. Additionally, the candidate will monitor and maintain cross-domain infrastructure, ensuring high availability and optimal performance, and ensure compliance with relevant security policies, standards, and regulations. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a desire for continual learning and strong problem-solving, analytic and interpersonal skills who is able to:
- Work in a team environment across the Enterprise
- Adapt to change
- Provide innovative solutions
- Communicate effectively
- Work tasks across multiple projects simultaneously
The ideal candidate will also reflect specialized Technical skills and experience in one or more of the following:
- Computer operations and System administration with Windows, UNIX, and/or Linux
- Programming and scripting experience (e.g., C, C++, Java, Assembly, Python, Perl, Ruby, Bash, Node.js, Spark, Puppet, SALT, KAFKA, HADOOP)
- Database design/development
- Network protocols and hardware
- Virtualization fundamentals
- Cloud architecture
- Security architectures and appliances
- Firewalls boundary device solutions/architecture
- High performance computing/data center
- Cybersecurity principles
- Risk assessment and mitigation plans
- Technical Performance management
- AI knowledge, use and integration
- System modeling and simulation principles, Machine Learning/Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence
- Analytical thinking, problem-solving and technical leadership
Note: Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. The minimum qualifications for this position require a degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science (CS) courses in foundational CS areas.
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The Computer Architect is responsible for planning, designing, and governing the architecture of enterprise computing systems that support the mission, operations, and strategic objectives of the agency. This position provides technical leadership in the development of secure, scalable, resilient, and interoperable information technology solutions that comply with federal laws, regulations, and government-wide architecture standards. The Computer Architect develops architecture frameworks, reviews system designs, and provides technical guidance throughout the system development lifecycle to ensure compliance with applicable federal policies, including those related to cybersecurity, privacy, accessibility, records management, and information technology governance. Additionally, this role supports capital planning and investment control activities, technology roadmaps, risk management efforts, compliance efforts, and continuity of operations planning, while promoting innovation, operational efficiency, and responsible stewardship of government resources.
Applicants will be considered for three Areas of Specialization. Additional information on each can be found in the Responsibilities section.
- Environment Maintenance and Sustainment
- Enterprise IT Architecture
- Advanced Computing Systems
Note: Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. The minimum qualifications for this position require a degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science (CS) courses in foundational CS areas. The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree must be in Computer Science (CS). Related fields (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics, Information Technology, Information Systems) 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 advanced mathematics (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics).
Relevant experience must be in the design/development of computer or information systems and include engineering hardware and/or software over their lifecycle (i.e., requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, integration, deployment/installation, and maintenance), programming, computer systems research, reverse engineering, and/or computer/network security. 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).
ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL
Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. An Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience may be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position. Computer Systems Architects at NSA use commercial and government-developed hardware, software, networking, and security products to design, develop, and optimize the structure and performance of computer systems and computing platforms.
Responsibilities may include:
- Modernize IT architecture through analysis of research and introducing changes based on evolving project requirements by designing, developing, and optimizing the structure and performance of computer systems and computing platforms
- Integrate industry trends, by evaluating and selecting emerging technologies to improve system performance, scalability, reliability, and efficiency through technologies and standards and new vendor features
- Evaluate emerging technologies, standards and new vendor features, while supporting research and development efforts for new technologies, networking solutions, virtualization, cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities
- Collaborate with experts in technical and application teams to identify, evaluate and recommend technical solutions to support project requirements
- Produce compliance results for established project requirements and IT architecture while ensuring systems architecture meet security, reliability, availability and regulatory compliance requirements
- Define and analyze data requirements, mapping legacy data stores and formats to logical and physical data models, review technical designs providing guidance on architectural best practices
- Propose standard ways for information transport between IT systems and stored within corporate knowledge databases
- Perform architectural alignment of the enterprise logical data model and physical data models, while supporting capacity planning and long-term infrastructure strategy to accommodate organizational growth
- Create technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and design specifications for stakeholders and development teams
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineering teams
Multiple opportunities are available in the following Areas of Specialization (AOS):
AOS: Environment Maintenance and Sustainment (EMS)
The selectee will be responsible for the maintenance and sustainment of advanced computing systems, ensuring their continuous operation and optimal performance. This role focuses on the upkeep and enhancement of existing systems rather than architectural design. The selectee will perform routine maintenance tasks to ensure the stability and performance of advanced computing systems, staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices related to system maintenance and sustainment. They will work with technical teams to identify, configure, and assess system upgrades and patches, articulating and mitigating issues as needed. The selectee will implement system updates, patches, and enhancements to ensure the continuous operation of advanced computing systems, provide technical guidance and support to other team members and organizational units as needed, and troubleshoot and resolve system-related issues. Additionally, they will conduct routine audits and vulnerability analyses to ensure the security and integrity of advanced computing systems, integrate and configure hardware and software components to meet maintenance and performance requirements, monitor system health and status, and ensure compliance with relevant security policies, standards, and regulations.
AOS: Enterprise IT Architecture (EIA)
The selectee will be responsible for providing robust and secure services that manage and protect the identities, credentials, and access permissions of users and systems within the NSA enterprise, while also serving the IC and DOW communities. This role involves developing and implementing encryption as a service and key management as a service for users across the agency and the Intelligence Community (IC). The selectee will manage digital rights management, and enterprise encryption libraries, ensuring continuous availability and optimal performance of these systems. They will collaborate with stakeholders to define system requirements and develop detailed technical specifications, providing technical guidance and support to other team members and organizational units as needed. The selectee will also be responsible for conducting risk assessments and vulnerability analyses to ensure the security and integrity of encryption services and key management systems. Additionally, they will troubleshoot and resolve issues related to these services, develop and maintain documentation for system configurations, processes, and procedures, and ensure compliance with relevant security policies, standards, and regulations.
AOS: Advanced Computing Systems (ACS)
The selectee will be responsible for researching and evaluating next-generation cross-domain technologies. This presents an opportunity to work with commercial vendors to assess new tools that will shape the enterprise by identifying and configuring innovative solutions to facilitate secure data transfer across security domains. This role requires a strong understanding of operating systems, product evaluation, security protocols, network architecture, and systems integration to support cross-domain technologies, cloud computing, and virtualization technologies. The selectee will be responsible for conducting risk assessments and vulnerability analyses to ensure the security and integrity of cross-domain data transfers. They will integrate hardware and software component configurations to meet security and performance requirements. Additionally, the candidate will monitor and maintain cross-domain infrastructure, ensuring high availability and optimal performance, and ensure compliance with relevant security policies, standards, and regulations. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a desire for continual learning and strong problem-solving, analytic and interpersonal skills who is able to:
- Work in a team environment across the Enterprise
- Adapt to change
- Provide innovative solutions
- Communicate effectively
- Work tasks across multiple projects simultaneously
The ideal candidate will also reflect specialized Technical skills and experience in one or more of the following:
- Computer operations and System administration with Windows, UNIX, and/or Linux
- Programming and scripting experience (e.g., C, C++, Java, Assembly, Python, Perl, Ruby, Bash, Node.js, Spark, Puppet, SALT, KAFKA, HADOOP)
- Database design/development
- Network protocols and hardware
- Virtualization fundamentals
- Cloud architecture
- Security architectures and appliances
- Firewalls boundary device solutions/architecture
- High performance computing/data center
- Cybersecurity principles
- Risk assessment and mitigation plans
- Technical Performance management
- AI knowledge, use and integration
- System modeling and simulation principles, Machine Learning/Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence
- Analytical thinking, problem-solving and technical leadership
Note: Please upload a copy of your transcripts from all schools attended prior to applying for this position. Unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage. The minimum qualifications for this position require a degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science (CS) courses in foundational CS areas.
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