Performance Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Performance Engineer jobs in Maryland draw steady demand across defense contracting, federal agency IT, and infrastructure-heavy engineering firms, with openings at every level from associate to principal. The busiest hiring corridors are Baltimore, Bethesda, and the Washington D.C. suburbs of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory maintain a lasting footprint. The most in-demand specialties are load testing, system reliability, and software performance tuning for mission-critical and government-facing applications. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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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 a Technical Intelligence & Science Services 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 Engineering, Physics, Material Science, or related field (for example, electronics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics). For Engineering 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 Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no 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: $87,362 - $123,388 (Entry/Developmental) 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). DCIPS Trial Period: If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.
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. 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. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process. The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application) 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
DCIPS Disclaimer
**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS** Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application. Acceptable documentation includes: - DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR - Certification of Service: A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; AND - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND - VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating) You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). **Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.
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 a Technical Intelligence & Science Services 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 Engineering, Physics, Material Science, or related field (for example, electronics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics). For Engineering 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 Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no 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: $87,362 - $123,388 (Entry/Developmental) 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). DCIPS Trial Period: If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.
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. 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. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process. The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application) 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
DCIPS Disclaimer
**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS** Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application. Acceptable documentation includes: - DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR - Certification of Service: A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; AND - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND - VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating) You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). **Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.
See All 11 Performance Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Performance Engineer JobsPerformance Engineer Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Performance Engineer Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in performance engineer jobs across Maryland.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, systems engineering, or a closely related technical discipline
- Hands-on experience with load and stress testing tools such as JMeter, Gatling, or LoadRunner
- Proficiency identifying and resolving application bottlenecks across distributed or cloud-based architectures
- Familiarity with monitoring and observability platforms including Dynatrace, Splunk, or Prometheus
- Active or eligible security clearance preferred for defense and federal agency roles in Maryland
- Experience collaborating with DevOps or site reliability teams in an Agile or CI/CD environment
Performance Engineer Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a performance engineer in Maryland?
A bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or systems engineering is the standard entry point for performance engineer roles in Maryland. No state-issued license is required for the role, but candidates targeting defense and federal agency positions in the D.C. suburbs or at organizations like the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory should pursue a security clearance early. Certifications in cloud platforms or performance testing tools strengthen an application considerably.
Which companies hire performance engineers in Maryland?
Maryland performance engineer roles are posted by Intralox, Northrop Grumman, and Axle and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. The concentration of defense primes and federal IT contractors in the Baltimore-Washington corridor makes Maryland one of the more active states for this role outside of Silicon Valley.
Which Maryland cities have the most performance engineer jobs?
Baltimore, Fort Meade, and Columbia account for the largest share of performance engineer openings in Maryland. Baltimore anchors the market through its technology and healthcare institutions, while Bethesda and the broader D.C. suburbs generate consistent demand from federal agencies, defense contractors, and the IT firms that support them.
Are there remote performance engineer jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than many technical specialties, since performance testing and analysis work is largely code- and data-driven rather than hands-on. About 25% of performance engineer openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the work can be done off-site. Load testing, monitoring configuration, and results analysis are the tasks most commonly performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a performance engineer in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a QA or software testing role, then building toward performance work by adding load testing tools to your skill set. Large Maryland defense contractors and federal IT firms such as Leidos and Northrop Grumman recruit new graduates into associate systems engineer programs that rotate through performance and reliability functions. A portfolio demonstrating JMeter or Gatling test scripts on personal or open-source projects, combined with a relevant cloud certification, gives candidates without direct performance engineering experience a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to performance engineer jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to performance engineer jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current Maryland openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 11 Performance Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Performance Engineer Jobs