Design Engineer for High Performance Computing

Responsibilities With the ever-increasing technological complexities in the world of supercomputers, we need talented computer and electrical engineers to be part of our team architecting, designing and verifying the next generation of high performance computing solutions (HPCS) that will support of our mission. Our goal is to provide supercomputers of the highest quality to ensure the success of the NSA and its partners.

The areas of responsibility may include one or more of the following:

• Accelerating application performance using Register Transfer Level (RTL) design
• Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) firmware development and integration
• RTL design closure using logic simulation, functional verification, synthesis, and timing analysis
• Printed Circuit Board (PCB) logic design, simulation and test
• PCB layout
• Signal Integrity / Power Integrity
• Commercial systems acquisition and contracting
• Create and maintain documentation on technical information
• Operate specialized scientific and technical equipment
• Attend conferences and communicate with people in a particular technical field to keep abreast of new technologies and information
• Conduct research including studies, experiments, and investigations
• Research emerging technologies for application(s) within the Agency
• Serve as a subject matter expert to support research and development efforts
• Work with customers to clarify their needs and to determine how their needs can be met
• Modeling and simulation to evaluate design alternatives

Job Summary As an Engineering and Physical Science professional, you will use your skills to create the systems and tools that will be used to enhance the operation of intelligence. You will advise, administer and perform scientific projects, such as planning, designing, and constructing specialized equipment, and ensuring adherence to sound engineering and scientific standards and principles. The NSA offers multiple areas of focus for facilities engineers, including computer, architectural, electrical, mechanical, and structural. In addition, we are seeking skills that include computer design, microelectronics, radio frequency design, and systems engineering. Apply your science and engineering skills to protect the nation.

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

Degree must be in professional Engineering, Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college or university, or a relevant professional technical field (e.g. chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology).

For all of the above degrees, if program is not ABET accredited, it must include specified coursework.*

• Specified coursework includes courses in differential and integral calculus and 5 of the following 18 areas: (a) statics or dynamics, (b) strength of materials/stress-strain relationships, (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics, (d) thermodynamics, (e) electromagnetic fields, (f) nature and properties of materials/relating particle and aggregate structure to properties, (g) solid state electronics, (h) microprocessor applications, (i), computer systems, (j) signal processing, (k) digital design, (l) systems and control theory, (m) circuits or generalized circuits, (n) communication systems, (o) power systems, (p) computer networks, (q) software development, (r) Any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, or soil mechanics.

ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL

With an Engineering degree, entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. With a degree in either (1) Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college or university or (2) a relevant professional technical field (for example, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology), entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience.

FULL PERFORMANCE

With a degree in Engineering, 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. With a degree in either (1) Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college or university or (2) a relevant professional technical field (for example, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology), entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's or Doctoral degree plus 1 year of relevant experience.

SENIOR

Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 3 years of relevant experience.

Competencies The ideal candidate is someone with excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills who is:

• Motivated
• Creative
• Able to work effectively across several different functional areas in a collaborative environment
• Well-organized and able to handle multiple assignments
• Customer service and requirements focused
• Detail oriented

Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following is desired:

• Concepts, theories, and methods for designing, analyzing, testing, and verifying large scale computational and data storage systems
• Translate conceptual designs into technical specifications
• Designing digital logic (e.g., FPGAs, ASICs)
• Experience using Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools
• Unified Verification Methodology (UVM)
• Applying engineering principles to design and layout PCBs
• Firmware development for configuring and controlling hardware devices
• Evaluate information in technical documents to understand its importance and significance
• Operate specialized scientific and technical equipment
• Applied Cryptography and Mathematics
• Programming Languages (C, C++, OpenCL, Perl, Python, TCL)
• Hardware description languages (VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog)
• Computer System Architecture and Design
• Computer Networks and Security
• CPU and GPU processor architectures
• Memory, interconnect, and storage architectures

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule 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: $81,233 - $179,232 (Entry/Developmental, 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).

How to apply Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position.

A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com

U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. NSA is also committed to the promotion of diversity within its workforce. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate. Please visit our Diversity link for more information https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/NSA/diversity-and-inclusion.

DCIPS Disclaimer 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.