Use your skills in ways you never thought possible
If you’re a STEM professional, you can find an interesting career almost anywhere.
But at the CIA, you can find even more — the opportunity to have a career that’s both substantial and inspiring.
Whether you’re a weapons analyst or a web designer, a data scientist or a computer scientist, a digital imaging technician or able to process digital signals, a cartographer or an electrical engineer, joining the nation’s premier intelligence agency means working with cutting-edge, classified technology — and using your extraordinary talents to help protect American lives.
If you are smart and dedicated — and you can imagine no greater mission than contributing to the safety of our country — there is a place for you at the CIA.
What role is right for you? Explore the CIA Job Fit Tool at: cia.gov/careers/opportunities/job-fit-tool
AN AGENCY FOUNDED IN TECHNOLOGY
Mobile devices and miniaturization. Agile software development. Space systems. Nanotechnology. The frontiers of chemistry, electrochemistry and applied physics. Data mining on an unprecedented scale. Cybersecurity. Few organizations can offer such a wide range of advanced scientific and technical disciplines. Fewer still can offer the challenge of responding to changing threats with speed and accuracy.
Intelligence collection by its very nature has always depended on the best technology available. That is why we need astute, flexible, technical, savvy and scientific professionals who want to take on some of the most complex and demanding work anywhere. Deploy network countermeasures working across layers and devices. Engineer fool-proof security systems that can stand up to relentless assaults. Monitor happenings from space for the safety of life on earth. Create devices that gather data where it seems impossibly inaccessible. Or support national security in a myriad of other ways. In every case, the careers here are central to preserving the ideals upon which our country was founded.
“I have the coolest job in the world. It combines biology, chemistry, optics and acoustics. I’m getting to do things I never thought I would.” — Katie B., DS&T Technical Intelligence Officer 55% of all CIA jobs are in STEM fields
Over 30% of Analysts have STEM backgrounds
25-30% of Clandestine Officers have STEM backgrounds
“The President actually listens to what I say.” — Bryce T., Senior Officer
STEM POSITIONS THAT ARE ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY
You might be surprised to know that more than half of the careers at the CIA are in STEM fields. Each Officer plays a role in responding to threats to our country and its allies. In many scenarios, the rapid deployment of technology has become integral to America’s front line against danger. Technical solutions are thus currently at the heart of everything we do. Innovations in the lab soon find themselves in the field anywhere in the world.
No wonder the Agency has a long heritage of groundbreaking wizardry stunningly ahead of the commercial sector: An unmanned aerial vehicle the size of a dragonfly in the 1970s. Spy planes that captured a resolution of 2.5 feet from 70,000 feet up in the late 1960s. Lithium-ion batteries created in the 1960s that enhanced surveillance and later became the “heart” of cardiac pacemakers. The first cell phone in 1947. Even the 3-D imaging that has now become Google Earth. Those are but a few of the ways we have led innovation over the past decades.
Now even greater challenges call for your expertise and problem-solving skills. Whether you’re a recent graduate in a technical discipline or a working professional at a high-tech company, we’ll empower you to use EVERYTHING you know … and enhance that knowledge.
SCIENCE
Imagine tackling challenges on the frontiers of science that make a difference to your nation. You might be surprised about the broad range of scientific disciplines that the CIA needs to get a comprehensive picture of the world: applied physics, biology, chemistry, computer science, electrochemistry, materials science and nanotechnology to name a few. And unlike an academic job, your breakthroughs in the lab will have an impact on important missions. As a scientist here, your perseverance not only advances knowledge, but it leads to relevant discoveries for your nation.
A FEW EXAMPLES OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WITH BACKGROUNDS IN SCIENCE:
• Cartographers
• Clandestine Officers
• Cyber Threat Analysts
• Data Scientists
• Environmental Safety Officers
• Geographers
• Science, Technology & Weapons Analysts
• Technical Analysts
• Technical Development Officers
• Technical Operations Officers
• Technical Research Officers
TECHNOLOGY
In today’s world, a smartphone or a social media posting can be as dangerous as a tank. Hostile forces have again and again proven their adeptness at mastering new technologies. Consequently, the CIA needs technical leaders who can understand the use and misuse of cyber devices and networks. Modern threats demand digital savvy beyond what’s needed in commercial endeavors. After all, it’s not sales or a balance sheet at stake. It’s the very freedom that enables our businesses to operate and allows our citizens to enjoy technological convenience.
If you have a background in computer science, computer engineering, systems engineering or information assurance, we invite you to consider working for the organization that helps keep America’s innovative edge.
A FEW EXAMPLES OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WITH BACKGROUNDS IN TECHNOLOGY:
• Application Developers
• Clandestine Officers
• Cyber Security Officers
• Cyber Threat Analysts
• Data Center Specialists
• Human Resources Analysts
• IT Auditors
• IT Engineers
• Science, Technology & Weapons Analysts
• Technical Analysts
• Technical Development Officers
• Technical Operations Officers
• Technical Research Officers
“We obviously can’t tell you everything we do. But trust us: It’s cool. “ — Joshua O., Midcareer Officer
ENGINEERING
In a world where hours – and even minutes – can be essential to protecting the citizens of the United States, your role as a CIA engineer goes beyond traditional problem-solving. You must facilitate the delivery of intelligence from geopolitical trouble spots around the globe – putting precise, timely information in the hands of our decision-makers.
A FEW EXAMPLES OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WITH BACKGROUNDS IN ENGINEERING:
“I am an engineer, and I helped take down a terrorist network.” — Ava K., Midcareer Officer
MATH
• Clandestine Officers
• Computer Engineers
• Counterintelligence Threat Analysts
• Cyber Threat Analysts
• Enterprise Systems Engineers
• Facilities Support Program Managers
• IT Engineer Supervisors
• Network Engineers
• Science, Technology & Weapons Analysts
• Security Engineers
• Technical Development Officers
Did you know that your expertise in math, statistics and economics can crack open critical intelligence? That’s because big data holds secrets. Your role will require you to call on everything you know: Decipher the patterns. Tell the story. Transform that information into intelligible and actionable reports. Your work helps turn the most complex puzzles into the informed policies set by the President, the Cabinet, Congress and Defense. When you bring your mathematical and computational skills to work at the CIA, the results are literally “incalculable.”
A FEW EXAMPLES OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WITH BACKGROUNDS IN MATH:
• Analytic Methodologists
• Clandestine Officers
• Cyber Security Officers
• Data Scientists
• Human Resources Analysts
• Science, Technology & Weapons Analysts
• Technical Analysts
• Technical Research Officers
“Working here isn’t for everyone, but I don’t think you will find any place more rewarding.” — Dasha B., Senior Officer
ONE TITLE. MANY JOBS.
It takes a team of the best and brightest to do extraordinary work. Frequently, many opportunities are available under one job title. For example, you might see a listing for a particular position on the CIA careers site (such as Data Scientist), but that doesn’t mean the Agency is hiring just one Data Scientist.
If you’re selected to join the CIA, you’ll be engaged in purposeful, gratifying work. Though largely unknown except to your leadership and colleagues, what you accomplish at the Agency will contribute to the safety of your family, friends, neighbors and every citizen of the United States. Join a group of distinguished women and men who – like you – believe in using and advancing their exceptional abilities and potential on behalf of national security.
Visit our careers website today and get ready to do EVERYTHING you ever thought possible.
To learn more and apply, visit cia.gov/careers
CIA employees in certain occupations, who have a degree in a STEM field, may be eligible for special pay. For more information, please contact your recruiter.
THE WORK OF A NATION. THE CENTER OF INTELLIGENCE. cia.gov/careers
An equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workforce.