Computer Systems Researcher (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Research)
National Security Agency
- Location
- Fort Meade, MD, US
- Track
- AI Researcher
- Salary
- $105K–$193K / yr
- Posted
- October 6, 2026
- Last checked
- October 6, 2026
- Source
- Indeed
Job description
NSA Research Scientists are actively expanding the boundaries of what can be accomplished with artificial intelligence, machine learning, human-machine teaming, software reverse engineering, data science, novel architectures, cyber security, high performance computing, and computational linguistics. Our experts generalize mission problems, advance the scientific state-of-the-art to solve problems, and work with other NSA organizations to get solutions in front of mission users and decision-makers. Our researchers also have the opportunity to collaborate regularly with the scientific community, academia, industry, and other government laboratories; publish papers on unclassified aspects of our work in scientific journals and at conferences; transfer NSA technology to the marketplace through open source software releases and public-private partnerships; serve as faculty members at local universities; and participate in university and K-12 STEM outreach activities across the country. The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate sound judgement, strong technical skills and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic team environment, as well as independently. Excellent oral and written communication skills, and a proven track record of analyzing and solving technical problems with innovative solutions are also preferred. The candidate should have demonstrated success in conducting Computer Science research to include turning research ideas into running prototype-grade systems. As a Computer Systems Researcher, other responsibilities may include: - Conducting scientific experiments, documenting results, and communicating with colleagues, customers, and decision makers - Training, testing, and deploying machine learning models - Applying software engineering principles to design and/or develop software applications - Designing and optimizing algorithms, data structures, modeling, and analytics to solve real-world scientific problems - Using principles, techniques, procedures, and tools to architect and facilitate the development of hardware solutions - Developing methods and applications for tools to exploit and analyze computer systems and network vulnerabilities - Modeling, simulating, prototyping, and/or benchmarking high performance computing systems. - Developing and implementing approaches to increase the productivity and/or efficiency of high performance computers - Investigating and validating the security properties claimed by confidential computing mechanisms and architectures - Advancing the understanding and capabilities for flexible, layered integrity measurement and attestation architectures and mechanisms - Research, design, and prototype novel approaches to operating system, hypervisor, or firmware security - Applying machine learning models to perform enhanced monitoring and anomaly detection on embedded systems' network communications to include IoT devices using Bluetooth and other wireless IoT protocols - Transitioning state-of-the-art AI/ML research from proofs-of-concept to production-grade systems capable of processing exascale multimodal data streams - Developing "efficient AI" techniques, including quantization, pruning, and distillation, to deploy sophisticated models in resource-constrained or highly secure environments, i.e., edge - Researching methods for AI safety, robustness against adversarial attacks, and formal verification of neural network behaviors in critical mission security contexts *\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.\
Job Summary
NSA is in search of Computer Science professionals to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches and research new solutions to storing, manipulating, and presenting information. We are looking for you to apply your computer science expertise to projects that seek to create new standards for the transformation of information. If you want to develop technologies and tools and be a part of cutting edge innovations; join our team of experts! Help protect national security interests as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science professionals! Are you looking to apply your computer science and other technical expertise to develop technologies and tools and be a part of cutting edge innovations? Come join our team of experts! NSA is in search of Research Scientists and Senior Research Scientists to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches and research new solutions to make the U.S. and its allies safer and more secure. Help protect national security interests as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science professionals. *\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.\
Qualifications
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Computer Science (CS) or Computer Engineering (CE). Other STEM fields (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics, or Information Systems (IS)) 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 one or more of the following: computer systems research, simulation/model development and prototyping, software design, programming, computational s