Home / Jobs / Engineer/Developer - (Capabilities Development Specialist) - Mid to Expert Level
Engineer/Developer - (Capabilities Development Specialist) - Mid to Expert Level
National Security Agency/Central Security Service · Department of Defense · Denver, Colorado
A job with National Security Agency/Central Security Service in Denver, Colorado. It pays $105,262–$192,764 per year at grade GG-11. Applications close on Oct 1, 2026 — 15 days left.
- Working pattern
- On site
- Who can apply
- Excepted service, Individuals with disabilities, Military spouses, Open to the public, Veterans
- Veterans
- Veterans' preference applies
- Clearance
- Top Secret
Main duties
- As a CDS, you will develop custom high-priority offensive and defensive capabilities targeting the hardest-to-reach adversarial networks in the world.
- You will apply and grow your expertise to create new ways to get critical information to national decision makers as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science and engineering professionals.
- Responsibilities may include: - Developing exploitation capabilities and analytics to enable foreign target network collection - Designing hardware components and systems to further signals intelligence missions - Analyzing sophisticated malware Competencies If you have interests, skills, or experience in one or more of the following areas, we'd like to hear from you: - Software Specialties: Strong software development skills (C, C++, Assembly, ARM); software RE/interactive debugging tools); software application vulnerability analysis and exploitation; operating system internals; mobile platform development and analysis; algorithmic analysis; prototyping. - Malware Reverse Engineering: Advanced malware analysis/reverse engineering of specialized malware/complex files. - Hardware Specialties: Hardware RE, design, development, or testing and debugging.
Full details
About the role
If you are passionate about using cutting-edge technology and developing groundbreaking solutions for seemingly unsolvable problems, NSA needs your expertise.
We're looking for computer science or computer/electrical engineering professionals with strong software or hardware design, development, testing or reverse engineering skills to join our team as a Capabilities Development Specialist (CDS). We conduct innovative research and produce hardware and software tools.
What you will do
- As a CDS, you will develop custom high-priority offensive and defensive capabilities targeting the hardest-to-reach adversarial networks in the world.
- You will apply and grow your expertise to create new ways to get critical information to national decision makers as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science and engineering professionals.
- Responsibilities may include: - Developing exploitation capabilities and analytics to enable foreign target network collection - Designing hardware components and systems to further signals intelligence missions - Analyzing sophisticated malware Competencies If you have interests, skills, or experience in one or more of the following areas, we'd like to hear from you: - Software Specialties: Strong software development skills (C, C++, Assembly, ARM); software RE/interactive debugging tools); software application vulnerability analysis and exploitation; operating system internals; mobile platform development and analysis; algorithmic analysis; prototyping. - Malware Reverse Engineering: Advanced malware analysis/reverse engineering of specialized malware/complex files. - Hardware Specialties: Hardware RE, design, development, or testing and debugging.
Education
Degree must be in Computer Science (CS), Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field.
Degrees in Information Technology, Information Systems, Information Security, Networking (Systems Administration), Information Assurance, or 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 (for example, calculus, discrete mathematics). **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 may require a degree that demonstrates a concentration of Computer Science (CS) courses in foundational CS areas.**
How you will be evaluated
We're looking for candidates with knowledge, skills, and experience in one or more of the following: - Programming in languages such as C, C++ and Java, especially in kernel development and device driver development; network/socket programming and embedded systems development - CISSP, CEH, GREM or GPEN certification. - Assembly language(s) - Hardware design (e.g., FPGA, VHDL, Verilog, PCB) - Hardware Reverse Engineering - RF system design (e.g., DSP, SDR) - Embedded systems development - Software reverse engineering/interactive debugging tools (e.g., Ghidra, OllyDbg, gdb) - Hardware analysis tools (e.g., JTAG, Oscilloscopes) - Software vulnerability analysis and exploitation
Documents you must provide
- 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.
What to expect next
***
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).
How to apply
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Details on this page reflect the source posting as of Sep 17, 2026. Closing dates and salary ranges can change without notice — the official listing is always authoritative. How our coverage works.
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