LAN/WAN Engineer

Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations.

We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU, and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting 

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and information technology (IT) services to NATO's member countries and its partners. The agency was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

The NCIA provides a wide range of services, including:

• Cyber Security: The NCIA provides advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATO's communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATO's military commanders to plan and execute operations.
• Satellite Communications: The NCIA provides satellite communications services to enable secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.
• Electronic Warfare: The NCIA provides electronic warfare services to support NATO's mission to detect, deny, and defeat threats to its communication networks.
• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATO's information technology infrastructure, including its databases, applications, and servers.

Overall, the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATO's communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATO’s principal C3 capability deliverer and CIS service provider. It provides, maintains and defends the NATO enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure to enable Allies to consult together under Article IV, and, when required, stand together in the face of attack under Article V.

To provide these critical services, in the modern evolving dynamic environment the NCI Agency needs to build and maintain high performance-engaged workforce. The NCI Agency workforce strategically consists of three major categorise's: NATO International Civilians (NIC)'s, Military (Mil), and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWC)'s. The IWCs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

Role ID – C001369

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and support activities on Projects, Services and Scientific Programme of Work (SPOW) with regards to drawings, specifications, software, technical manuals, and other documents
• Research, analyse, propose and implement innovative solutions to technical and business challenges in support of services and project managers, with an awareness of current and future trends
• Support Programme, Project and Service Managers in the preparation and implementation of new capabilities and continuous improvement of existing ones
• Advises and direct on WAN, LAN, and WiFi infrastructure and services fault diagnosis throughout NATO sites utilizing a number of management platforms (e.g. HP NA, Netscout, Cisco Prime and DNA)
• Coordinate and lead implementation of WAN and LAN elements in a centralised fashion by applying NATO and industry specific standards and best practices
• Coordinates on-and executes site surveys, technical inspections, validations and system acceptance testing into the NGCS/NCI WAN, LAN and WiFi infrastructure, conducting follow-up actions regarding the resolving of deficiencies
• Liaise and collaborate internally throughout the NCI Agency Service Lines and with external organisations for fault rectification activities during and post project implementation
• Produces and maintains documentation related to daily activity logs, network configuration, network mapping, processes, operating procedures and service records within the Area of Responsibility
• Provides consultative support, to include setting up demonstrations, explaining features and benefits to customers, designing solutions, and configuring products and services to meet specific customer business needs and objectives based on NCI Agency approved catalogue of services and architectural concepts
• Configuration, implementation, and evaluation, of test scenarios as well as management tools and capabilities within the NATO General Communication Services (NGCS) / NATO Communication Infrastructure (NCI) Reference Facility, pertinent to the area of responsibility
• Maintain an awareness of all ongoing network infrastructure
• Duties & Role: configuration and maintenance activities to build and maintain an up to date picture
• Ensure a common understanding of the available toolsets and methods of utilization within the centralised and distributed user base
• Investigate and propose long-term solutions to re-occurring problems and identify areas for greater efficiency to Line Managers as well as Services and Project Managers
• When required, coordinates on-and executes site surveys, validations and system acceptance testing into the NGCS/NCI WAN, LAN and WiFi infrastructure
• Deputize for higher grade staff, if required
• Performs other duties as may be required.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Services and Technology Professional Certification (e.g. ITILv3, CCNP/Wireless, NRS II, DCS-CA);
• Experience in planning, design, system engineering and implementation of communication aspects of C4ISR systems:
• Modern digital communication networking techniques, protocols and standards; communication networks specification, design and testing, with an emphasis on wired and WiFi IP networks, including IPv6, QoS;
• Communications infrastructure and network service management and control;
• Familiarity with related international / commercial / industrial standards.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively orally, using tact and diplomacy, and in writing with good briefing skills;
• Experience in working in an SLA / SOP driven IT organisation;
• Intermediate knowledge in authentication technologies;
• Experience in QoS in IP-Networks with regards to design and implementation in large scale networks at the WAN and LAN levels, including IP/MPLS, Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), Software Defined Networks (SDN), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV);
• Minimum 3 years' experience of operational and technical leading of engineering team.

Desirable Experience and Certifications:

• ITIL v3 certified in Service Operations;
• Demonstrable evidence in maintaining knowledge of advances in Information Technology;
• Knowledge and experience in applying ITIL, COBIT and eTOM principles and methodologies applied to effective Service Management and Control;
• Experience with centralised management systems; utilizing, e.g., HP Network Automation and CISCO ISE;
• An understanding of IP packet encryption, Firewall and Intrusion Detection System Technologies;
• Knowledge of NATO or national governmental acquisition policy and procurement procedures;
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements;
• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization, including Allied Command Operations and Allied Command Transformation.

Education

• A minimum requirement of a Bachelor's degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 3 years post-related experience or exceptionally, the lack of a university degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate's particular abilities or experience that is/are of interest to NCI Agency, that is, at least 10 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post

Working Location

• Mons, Belgium

Working Policy

• On-Site

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Cosmic Top Secret personal security clearance

We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isn't for you please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.