DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS

In this program, you’ll work full-time with world-class technical leaders on rotational operational assignments and lab and classroom training. You will gain a depth of knowledge in many disciplines, including system and security engineering, software engineering, software program management, system architecture and database design.

If you’re interested in the Applied Computing Development Program, search for Computer Science Development Programs, hardware/software design engineer, network professional, software engineer or systems engineer.

This program produces technical experts to solve universal computer network operations (CNO) problems and advance NSA's CNO capabilities by specializing in a core CNO discipline: network, hardware and software protection and exploitation. This program is for technical professionals with a background in low-level development, computer security or network security.

If you're interested in this program, search for Computer Scientist Development Program or capabilities development specialist.

This program builds the skills of computer scientists we need to address work across many disciplines, including computer network operations, architecture and systems, knowledge discovery, big data processing and information technology infrastructure.

If you’re interested in this program, search for Computer Scientist Development Program or software engineer.

Diverse academic backgrounds are key to NSA's continued cryptanalytic success. As part of this program, all incoming cryptanalysts attend formal classes, receive technical training from experienced cryptanalysts and rotate to various job assignments throughout NSA. The program doesn’t require a particular major, but we prefer evidence of technical skills and abilities.

If you’re interested in the CADP, search for the Cryptanalysis Development Program (CADP).

This program combines mathematics and computer science and engineering skills to address NSA's cryptanalytic and computer network challenges. In this program, you will receive classroom and on-the-job training in cryptanalysis, computer network operations, software engineering and high-performance computing.

If you’re interested in this program, search for Computer Scientist Development Program or cryptanalytic computer scientist

This program prepares the next generation of cybersecurity engineers, information systems security engineers (ISSE) and software engineers (SWE) with in-depth training and hands-on experience to support NSA's crypto and cyber missions. Participants in this program ensure our national security systems (NSS) remain robust, secure and available.

If you’re interested in the Cybersecurity Engineering Development Program, search for computer scientist development programs, information systems security professional or software engineer.

This program helps develop talent in cybersecurity related disciplines and technologies. The program provides highly qualified candidates an opportunity to excel in these mission areas and be prepared to contribute immediately upon graduation and greatly impact cybersecurity mission areas throughout the enterprise.

If you’re interested in the Cybersecurity Operations Development Program, search for computer network analyst, cyber mitigations engineer or system vulnerability analyst.

This program provides hands-on learning in operational settings supporting intelligence and cyber analysts. Data scientists are expected to work with analysts to find answers to their questions by applying mathematical reasoning and scripting skills to extract meaning from the agency's large repositories of data. This is a three-year development program that builds an individual data scientist's competency in mathematics, statistics, programming, scripting and analytic reasoning.

If you’re interested in the Data Science Development Program, search for data scientist.

This is a three-year development program that combines rotational assignments, specialized academic training and in-depth mentorship to develop expertise in the discovery and analysis of digital networks, target infrastructure and mobile communications. Analysists in this program support the Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) mission by pursuing targets; understanding adversarial tactics, techniques and methodologies; characterizing networks; discovering new accesses and exploiting target infrastructure. The program provides opportunities to engage leadership, experience diverse tours, attend world-class conferences and travel worldwide on assignment. Participants in this program support offices in both the NSA and the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). Graduates of DDP are aggressively sought for their in-depth knowledge and breadth of experience.

If you’re interested in the Digital Network Exploitation Analyst Development Program, search for digital network exploitation analyst.

This development program helps entry-level intelligence analysts achieve a full spectrum of work role skills. As a part of the IADP, you'll solve difficult technical problems, gather knowledge of targets' communication environments and technologies and provide assessments of target intentions unavailable from other intelligence disciplines.

If you’re interested in the Intelligence Analysis Development Program, search for intelligence analyst.

This program develops individuals who can successfully perform the primary tasks associated with intrusion analysis at a proficient level. The IASDP builds on basic network analysis, computer science and cybersecurity skills by augmenting those skills with intermediate training and organizational tours. The program will train participants to a level at which they will successfully perform complex analyses across different organizations and be technical leaders in the intrusion analysis field.

If you’re interested in the Intrusion Analyst Skill Development Program, search for computer network analyst or digital network exploitation analyst.

The Language Development Program builds linguistic knowledge for entry-level language analysts and train them in analytic skills and the latest technologies available to the Intelligence Community. Participants will work on a wide range of subjects and learn techniques used to evaluate foreign communications. Combined with geopolitical and cultural expertise, they will use these skills to understand both overtly stated meaning and subtly implied intent as they translate and transcribe foreign communications and report critical information to U.S. government customers.

If you’re interested in this program, search for multidisciplinary language analyst.

Newly hired mathematicians and statisticians begin their careers in one of three Math Development Programs (MDP): the Cryptologic Mathematician Program (CMP), the Applied Mathematics Program (AMP) or the Cyber Assurance Mathematics Program (CAMP). These three-year programs produce mathematicians and statisticians who are knowledgeable in the spectrum of mathematical sciences that NSA uses.

Participants in each of these programs will study cryptologic mathematics and related subjects in NSA-taught classes and complete rotational assignments to build skills in specific mission-related competency areas. Upon completion of the program, NSA will place participants in an office relating to the program’s core competencies based jointly on the needs of the mission and the participant’s preferences.

If you’re interested in the Math Development Program, search for mathematician or mathematical statistician.

This program is for technically educated individuals who can successfully participate in, and eventually lead, current and future DoD integrated acquisition, technology and logistics activities. Participants will partner closely with mission customers to research, develop and draft capability requirements, create acquisition program documents and develop and manage acquisition program schedules and budget estimates to support the implementation of strategic plans. They will act as liaison between the technical and business functions and personnel of their assigned program.

If you’re interested in the Program Management Development Program, search for Program Management Development Program (PMDP).

This program produces the next generation of Radio Frequency (RF) engineering experts at NSA by developing the core skills necessary to maintain and advance our RF capabilities. Participants in this program will go on to lead NSA's RF mission, which spans initial research and development through end-to-end system design of collection systems enabling our signals intelligence and cybersecurity missions.

If you’re interested in the Radio Frequency Development Program, search for radio frequency (RF) design engineer.

Signals analysis is a cutting-edge technical discipline that seeks to identify the purpose, content and user(s) of signals. The program helps develop a highly talented and diverse workforce of signals analysts who play a vital part in maintaining our technical capabilities to use the most sophisticated means to recover, understand and derive intelligence from all manner of foreign signals.

If you’re interested in the Signals Analysis Development Program, search for signals analyst.

This program develops junior and mid-level systems engineers to perform as enterprise systems engineers. The SEDP ensures coherent integration of systems engineering-related activities throughout the enterprise; provides a structured, repeatable framework to shape the systems engineering workforce over time and provides candidates an opportunity for systematic development, career broadening assignments, knowledge, skills and experience.

If you’re interested in the Systems Engineering Development Program, search for systems engineer or hardware/software design engineer.