Sr BP&Q Engineer/Scientist I (Intel Coordination) - RBOPS

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Experience

5

Summary

Senior Banknote Planning and Quality Engineers/Scientists work under regular guidance to participate in the coordination and direction of the Department of Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing banknote functions. Conduct in-depth analyses on quantitative and qualitative data. Identify options, assess trade-offs, measure outcomes, and develop consensus related to moderately complex projects involving Federal Reserve note design, development, production, quality, and ability to operate in commerce and resilience to counterfeiting threats. Collaborate with staff from the Federal Reserve System, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the US Secret Service, other domestic and international authorities, international central banks, and banknote industry. Projects include those that ultimately lead to decisions by the Board or Board Committees, notably the Committee on Federal Reserve Bank Affairs (BAC) and senior Division and Reserve Banks' management. Serve as the primary contributor and may lead projects and teams and often represent the Section or Division on projects and task forces. Prepare and deliver communications including presentations and recommendations to others in the Section/Division and/or to external stakeholders. Some travel may be required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Senior Banknote Planning and Quality Engineers/Scientists perform the following responsibilities with regular guidance:

• Perform quantitative and/or qualitative analyses in support of FRB mission, Division goals, and Section objectives

• Prepare and deliver clear, accurate and concise communication orally and in writing

• Share information and ideas regarding projects and work to Section/Project Teams/Division or external stakeholders

• Serve as primary contributors and may lead projects or teams in the accomplishment of work

• Provide guidance to junior or new staff

• Perform assigned project tasks and may lead projects/teams

• Represent the Section or Division on group projects or task forces

• Advise senior staff and managers

• Demonstrate areas of domain expertise

Senior Banknote Planning and Quality Engineers/Scientists at the Federal Reserve Board may play many roles related to their jobs.

They are responsible for a combination of the following roles:

Data Analysis

• Produce charts, graphs, and other visuals to help analyze data

• Identify relevant issues and trends and draw conclusions through analysis of quantitative and qualitative data

• Analyze physical materials, assess characteristics, and generate reports to inform data-driven strategic decision-making regarding banknote design, functionality, development, production, quality, security, adversarial analysis, counterfeit deterrence, and authentication programs

• Use scientific methods and equipment to gather data to be used in analysis

• Identify data that can be used to analyze banknote policies

Banknote Design/Quality/Production

• Participate in and/or lead governance and core teams

• Review and analyze test plans for qualification of new materials, new banknotes, new production processes and new equipment and assess impact to the finished banknote security and quality, production, banknote processing, and use in commerce

• Support and implement banknote policies and programs

Financial Analysis

• Perform analyses of financial data and information in support of Division/Section’s area of responsibility

• Clearly present analyses of financial data

• Identify relevant issues and trends and draw conclusions through analysis of financial data

Policy and Governance

• Interpret and/or implement policy and/or guidance

• Draft banknote policy and governance recommendations supported by logical reasoning and sound analysis

Risk Management

• Identify and analyze emerging risks in banknote design, development, security, production, quality, and ability to operate in commerce

• Assess the risks/threats facing Federal Reserve Notes (counterfeiting) and provide recommendations to address the risks

• Apply appropriate risk management frameworks and policies to support the banknote life-cycle

Position Requirements:
A bachelor’s degree in mechanical, industrial, or electrical engineering, or physical science (physics or chemistry), or another related field and a minimum of 5 years of related experience, or a master’s degree in a related field and 3 years of related experience. Active TS/SCI national security clearance required.

Remarks:
The Banknote Performance & Quality (BPQ) section within the RBOPS Cash wing is establishing enhanced intelligence capabilities dedicated to protecting U.S. currency from counterfeiting threats and ensuring the proper performance of cash in circulation. Working at the intersection of intelligence analysis, risk management, and cash operations, you'll review and synthesize multi-intelligence reporting to inform Board leadership and interagency partners on critical counterfeiting threats and counterfeit deterrence activities. This position involves supporting a section and wing that are developing its intelligence processes and relationships with the Intelligence Community, requiring comfort with ambiguity and the ability to balance intelligence analysis with cash performance responsibilities. Short-term responsibilities include establishing intelligence requirements, building relationships with Intelligence Community counterparts and law enforcement liaisons, and conducting risk assessments of counterfeiting threats; long-term opportunities include developing subject matter expertise in currency security threats, leading interagency working groups on U.S. currency threat assessments, and serving as a trusted advisor to leadership on counterfeit deterrence strategies. The role suits professionals who work effectively when building new processes and capabilities, are comfortable engaging with stakeholders at different agencies, and who can perform in a matrix-like structure with guidance coming from multiple individuals working towards the same mission.

Preferred Qualifications:
Background and Experience
• Background in intelligence analysis OR experience as a consumer of classified national security information
• Experience in counterfeiting threats, currency security, law enforcement intelligence, financial crimes, or fraud analysis
• Subject matter expertise in currency production, quality, authentication, or security features
• Experience working with Intelligence Community agencies, ODNI, or interagency intelligence coordination
• Experience working in startup, new program, or organizational development environments
• Experience conducting risk assessments or threat analysis in financial crimes or national security contexts
• Experience leading cross-functional projects, working groups, or interagency initiatives
• Experience serving as liaison or representative with Intelligence Community agencies, law enforcement partners, foreign central banks, or international organizations
• Established relationships with counterparts in the Intelligence Community or law enforcement agencies
• Experience with multi-intelligence collection and intelligence reporting requirements processes

Duties and Responsibilities:
Risk management and counterfeit threat assessment:
• Develop and conduct analytic methodologies like simulation, analysis of options, scenario planning and gap analysis to assess counterfeit threats and counterfeit deterrence activities
• Work with interagency partners on working groups to support a U.S. Currency security threat assessment
• Engage with law enforcement liaisons at partner agencies to connect Law Enforcement Office activities in other jurisdictions to intelligence
• Engage with foreign central bank partners to better understand the counterfeit landscape and on joint security threat assessments
• Engage with industry partners to stay informed of the most relevant threats to proper cash function in commerce
• Compile, analyze, and present test results from agency partners to identify gaps/threats in machine detection of counterfeits.
• Work with internal and external partners to assess foreign jurisdiction compliance with U.S. economic sanctions and anti-money laundering requirements in connection with banknote activity

Qualifications:
Must have:
• Ability to apply knowledge of ODNI, IC organizations to effectively translate their requirements and provide appropriate output or responses to meet customer needs
• Ability to review, analyze, and contextualize intelligence reporting to develop assessments and briefings for Cash staff and leadership
• Flexibility and ability to remain open-minded and change opinions on the basis of new information and requirements; ability to support group decisions and solicit opinions from coworkers
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and in a team or collaborative environment, and mentor junior colleagues
• Creative problem-solving skills and ability to provide leadership in carrying out mission responsibilities

U.S. citizenship required. Position is located in Washington DC, and on-site presence required. Some travel is required for this position.

A writing sample/exercise may be requested.