Systems Engineer (Hiring Event - PB 3 and 4) with Security Clearance

External Header
All interviews for this position will be conducted virtually and are scheduled to take place December 7-8, 2026. Please note that availability during these dates is required for consideration. Alternative interview dates cannot be accommodated due to scheduling constraints.

Source: External Applicants Only
Open: 2026-10-19
Closed: 2026-10-31
Band: 04
Location: Springfield, VA, St Louis, MO
Cover Letter
Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application. Pay Band, Salary Range - Ext
2026 DC Salary Chart (Step 10 Max):
Band 4 $121,785 - $187,093 2026 St.

Louis Salary Chart (Step 10 Max)

Band 4 $109,137 - $167,663
Permanent Change in Station
PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized. NGA Marketing Message
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is the world leader in Geospatial Intelligence. We analyze imagery and data from many sources and incorporate it into visual displays of essential information for use in national defense, homeland security and safety of navigation.

The extraordinary talents and skills of our teams of analysts and other professionals are vital to our success as the worldwide provider of GEOINT. Know the World, Show the Way...from Seabed to Space!

Assignment Description
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Systems Engineers apply a structured approach to design, develop, implement, maintain, and optimize systems, infrastructures and processes across the lifecycle. They capture requirements and translate them into capabilities across the GEOINT enterprise. They test, verify, and validate systems and services to meet mission needs. Systems Engineers partner with multi-disciplinary stakeholders to document, communicate, and deliver robust and compliant solutions. They also coordinate the integration of systems and services into the enterprise architecture while overseeing deployment and sustainment.

Promotion Opportunity
PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY: Promotion opportunities allow applicants at all band levels to be considered. Qualifications for NGA positions do not include specific time-in-band requirements. NGA will emphasize quality of experience, rather than duration, and assess how the quality of the experience demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance in the NGA occupational structure.

Additional Information
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Systems Engineers apply a structured approach to the design and implementation of system and service applications. They capture and translate mission and customer requirements into capabilities using the System Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Systems Engineers analyze and allocate requirements to systems architecture components and oversee the design, development, testing, and validation of systems and services. They also coordinate the integration of systems and services into enterprise architecture and oversee deployment.

This position may be eligible for a RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: selected candidates may be offered an incentive as part of the offer of employment. To receive the incentive, selected candidates must be eligible under 5 CFR Part 575, Subpart A, upon issuance of the Final Offer Letter. Changes in federal employment status prior to issuance of the Final Offer Letter may affect eligibility. To receive the incentive, selected candidates will be required to sign a service agreement to stay within the position at NGA for the agreed upon time.

If the service agreement is terminated before its completion, the employee may be required to repay a pro rata share amount of the incentive to the government. Additional information regarding recruitment incentives for current federal employees can be found in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 2006.

Qualifications Mandatory
MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required).

Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement’s mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement: Demonstrated experience in technical planning across the full lifecycle of an engineering project such as understanding the deliverables; executing project plans; communicating progress; generating requirements, test and evaluation (T&E) of systems and/or facilitating problem resolutions.

Demonstrated end-to-end understanding of the systems development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies and processes for planning, designing, developing, testing, and/or deploying a system. Demonstrated experience identifying insights from super intelligence (SI) generated outputs or analytic results and communicating findings to stakeholders. Experience with integration efforts in a collaborative environment for components and data of complex systems/applications, ensuring adaptability for future architecture design.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A.

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Engineering, Engineering Management, Information Science, Information Systems Management, Information Technology, Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics, Technology Management, System Engineering, or a degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems, or networks.

• OR- B.

Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of coursework in any area listed in option A, plus experience in Information Technology, systems planning, research, development, engineering, or a related area that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. As a rule, every 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework is equivalent to one year of experience. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals 4 years.

• OR- C.

Experience: A minimum of 4 years of experience in Information Technology, systems planning, research, development, engineering, or a related area that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work.

• AND- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: DAWIA Certification may be required for this position; See Position License and Certification Requirements for additional details.

New Acquisition Workforce members or members transferring to a different or higher skill level -AND- Relevant Competencies: IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Oral Communication, and Problem Solving.

Qualifications Desirable
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired: Experience with Imagery, Sensor, or GIS Data Technologies. Experience leading teams who perform test and evaluation for GEOINT sensor technologies such as Electro Optical (EO), Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR), Hyperspectral, or motion video. Experience with ITIL/IT Service Management and/or Agile, SAFe, Waterfall, or Spiral development and the tools used to manage them.

Experience with integrating Cloud-based technologies, super intelligence, and/or machine learning solutions into existing processes or technical infrastructure. Special Info External
As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.

• U.S. Citizenship
• Security Clearance - Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
• Polygraph & Drug Test
• Direct Deposit
• Trial Period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. We may consider: performance conduct; needs and interests of the agency; and whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government and the efficiency of the Federal service

Applicant Evaluation Process
APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: 1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,
2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,
3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process. Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education or degree information referenced in the announcement that is relevant. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted. You must use the NGA resume builder and limit your resume to 2 pages. In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Dis