Senior Cyber Offense Specialist Position Open at National Institute of Standards and Technology, Washington, District of Columbia (Up to $197,200)

Heads up if you've been monitoring federal openings: National Institute of Standards and Technology just dropped a Senior Cyber Offense Specialist listing for their Washington, District of Columbia operation. At $121,785 to $197,200 per year, this is a solid opportunity. Let's break it down.

Mark your calendar: the deadline is February 17, 2026. Federal applications take time to prepare, so start early.

Position Details at a Glance

Here's a quick summary of the key details:

Role Overview

Here's the rundown of what this position actually entails on a day-to-day basis:

At the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), our team of cyber experts work to understand and evaluate the cyber offense capabilities of AI models, working closely with AI developers and the US national security community to prepare for increasing capabilities in this critical domain. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Key Responsibilities

In this position, you will: Integrate national security context into CAISI's assessments of AI cyber capabilities, mapping offensive tradecraft-from vulnerability research to exploit development-to real-world adversarial tactics. Develop strategic roadmaps for evaluation, ensuring that AI assessment scenarios reflect high-priority cyber threats to national security interests and critical infrastructure. Translate complex evaluation results into mission-focused assessments and risk briefings for senior interagency leadership and national security stakeholders. Bridge the gap between emerging AI research and established offensive cyber tradecraft to ensure evaluations remain operationally relevant to the US Government. Strengthen the U.S. security posture by providing a high-quality technical evidence base that informs federal defensive and offensive cyber strategies. Coordinate with interagency partners to align assessments with federal cyber requirements and validate that frontier AI s...

Who Should Apply

Here's exactly what they want to see on your application — pay close attention to the specialized experience requirements:

All applicants must submit a resume NOT TO EXCEED two pages on standard-size paper. If the resume exceeds two pages, only the first two pages will be reviewed for qualifications or assessment determinations. Basic Requirements: A. Bachelor's degree in computer science. OR B. Bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. ZP-1550-IV: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience performing advanced technical tasks in offensive cyber tradecraft, such as vulnerability analysis, exploit development, or reverse engineering; iden...

What This Position Pays

The posted range is $121,785 to $197,200 per year (grade ZP-4/5). Here's an insider tip: if you have strong qualifications, you can negotiate your starting step. Don't just accept Step 1 — agencies have the authority to offer Steps 2 through 10 based on superior qualifications or a special hiring need.

The benefits package is where federal employment really shines: health insurance through FEHB with the government covering roughly 75% of premiums, a FERS pension, TSP retirement savings with a 5% employer match, generous leave (13-26 days annual, 13 days sick), and 11 federal holidays. Factor all that in and you're looking at a total package well above the posted salary range.

Ready to Apply?

If this role looks like a fit, here's how to give yourself the best shot:

Start by pulling up the full announcement on USAJobs. Read the specialized experience requirements word by word — then mirror that language in your federal resume where it honestly applies to your background. This is how you get past the initial HR screening.

Make sure every required document is uploaded. Transcripts, SF-50 if you're a current fed, DD-214 for veterans preference — whatever they ask for, include it. Missing documents means an automatic rejection.

Deadline: February 17, 2026. Get it in early — technical issues on the last day are more common than you'd think.

View the full job announcement and apply here →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this Senior Cyber Offense Specialist position pay?

This position pays $121,785 to $197,200 per year. Keep in mind that this is base pay — locality adjustments could push the actual number higher depending on where you're located. The role is classified at the ZP-4/5 level.

Am I eligible for this position?

Eligibility depends on your experience, education, and whether you fall within the hiring paths listed in the announcement (this position is ZP-4/5). The announcement spells out exactly what they need — check the Qualifications section for details.

What's the application deadline?

The closing date is February 17, 2026. Don't wait until the final day. Give yourself time to prepare a thorough application and gather all required documents.

Does this role offer telework?

This position is based in Washington, District of Columbia and is currently listed as an on-site role. Telework and remote policies can vary, so it's worth asking about during the interview process.

What benefits are included?

Federal employees receive a strong benefits package: FEHB health insurance with the government covering about 75% of premiums, a FERS pension, TSP retirement savings with up to 5% matching, between 13 and 26 days of paid leave per year, 13 sick days, and 11 federal holidays. It adds up to roughly 30-40% on top of your base salary.

Do I need a security clearance?

Yes, this position requires a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance. You don't need to have one beforehand — the agency will sponsor your investigation after making a conditional offer. The process involves a background check, financial review, and potentially interviews with your references. It can take a few months, so factor that into your timeline.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open to: United States Citizens. Check the "Who May Apply" section of the full announcement for specific hiring paths. If you're a veteran, make sure to include your DD-214 and any applicable preference documentation.

Is there promotion potential?

Yes — this position has a promotion potential to 5. That means with satisfactory performance, you can advance to that level without competing for a new position. Career ladder promotions in the federal system are one of the best paths to higher pay.