Senior Engineer DCS (NaaS)

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 - C004884

Senior Network Engineer - CCNP

Role Background

The Senior Network Engineer will design, implement, operate, and maintain complex enterprise network infrastructure in Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium.

The role focuses on enterprise routing and switching, LAN/WAN and data centre networking, network monitoring, incident resolution, automation, and network lifecycle management. The engineer will also act as the senior technical escalation point, lead network projects, and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level engineers.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain complex enterprise network infrastructure following CCNP-level standards and best practices.
• Manage daily network operations, capacity planning, upgrades, and infrastructure lifecycle activities.
• Configure, optimize, and troubleshoot routing and switching technologies, including:
• BGP
• OSPF
• STP
• Maintain high availability, redundancy, and performance across:
• LAN
• WAN
• Data centre networks
• Monitor network health using Splunk and other network monitoring platforms.
• Create dashboards, alerts, and operational reports.
• Analyze network logs and telemetry to proactively identify incidents, risks, and performance problems.
• Develop and maintain network automation solutions using Python and/or Ansible.
• Automate repetitive activities such as provisioning, configuration management, backups, compliance checks, and change validation.
• Monitor network availability, latency, bandwidth, and device health.
• Lead technical response during critical network outages.
• Coordinate stakeholders and restore services within agreed SLA targets.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement preventive measures to reduce recurring incidents.
• Act as the senior technical escalation point for complex network problems.
• Mentor junior and mid-level network engineers through technical guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharing.
• Lead network migrations, infrastructure refreshes, expansions, and technology rollouts.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, network standards, and operational procedures.

Essential Skills

• Advanced enterprise network engineering knowledge.
• Strong routing and switching expertise, particularly:
• BGP
• OSPF
• STP
• Strong understanding of LAN, WAN, and data centre networking.
• Network high availability, redundancy, and performance management.
• Hands-on experience with network monitoring tools.
• Experience using Splunk for:
• Network monitoring
• Log analysis
• Troubleshooting
• Strong incident management and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience handling major network outages.
• Strong root cause analysis skills.
• Experience with capacity planning, network upgrades, and lifecycle management.
• Ability to lead network migrations, refreshes, expansions, and technology rollouts.
• Ability to act as a senior technical escalation point.
• Experience mentoring junior and mid-level engineers.
• Strong technical documentation skills.
• Python and/or Ansible network automation skills are desirable/nice to have rather than mandatory.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of hands-on enterprise network engineering and operations experience.
• Extensive experience with enterprise routing and switching.
• Hands-on experience with BGP, OSPF, and STP.
• Experience with Splunk for network monitoring, log analysis, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with network monitoring platforms.
• Experience managing incidents, performing root cause analysis, and resolving major network outages.
• Experience acting as a senior escalation point.
• Experience leading network projects.
• Experience mentoring other network engineers.

educations and Certifications

Certification

CCNP certification is required, specifically:

• CCNP Enterprise, or
• An equivalent advanced networking certification.

Working Location

Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium

Working Policy

• Full-time on-site position.
• Normal office working conditions.
• Some work outside normal office hours may be required.
• Up to 50 TDY (Temporary Duty) within Belgium may be required during the year.
• Required start date: 12 October 2026.
• Contract end date: 31 December 2026.
• Total scope: 1,000 hours.

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance