Senior Cyber Security Engineer – Security Architecture & Engineering

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.

Senior Cyber Security Engineer - Security Architecture & Engineering

Role ID - C005511

Role Background

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) is seeking a Senior Cyber Security Engineer to support the design, development and delivery of cybersecurity capabilities and secure infrastructure solutions.

The role combines cybersecurity engineering, solution architecture, risk management and technical project leadership, supporting NCIA and the NATO Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

The successful candidate will contribute to cybersecurity solution design, technical requirements, procurement activities, security risk assessments and the implementation of cybersecurity capabilities across operational environments.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and develop cybersecurity solution architectures for infrastructure, business and functional environments.
• Evaluate alternative technical architectures considering security, performance, cost and scalability.
• Produce architecture specifications, technical designs and documentation for cloud-based and on-premises solutions.
• Identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities, threats and architectural risks.
• Conduct security risk assessments and business impact analyses.
• Design and recommend security controls, countermeasures and risk mitigation solutions.
• Support security incident investigations and incident management activities.
• Define, document, prioritise and manage technical and security requirements.
• Maintain requirements baselines, stakeholder agreements and traceability.
• Gather stakeholder requirements and translate them into technical and architectural solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and cybersecurity engineering input to implementation projects.
• Coordinate cybersecurity delivery activities across engineering teams.
• Prepare Statements of Work, implementation plans, technical specifications and engineering documentation.
• Support cybersecurity procurement, including requirements definition, bid evaluation and technical assessments.
• Contribute to system integration, quality control, change management and operational handover.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering documentation and post-implementation specifications.
• Present cybersecurity engineering information to technical and management stakeholders.
• Represent NCIA/NCSC in technical working groups and forums.
• Lead or coordinate small technical teams where required.

Essential Skills

• Cybersecurity engineering and secure solution architecture.
• Identification and assessment of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats.
• Design and implementation of cybersecurity capabilities in operational environments.
• Security risk assessment, risk management and mitigation planning.
• Cryptographic technologies, including key management.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM).
• Network monitoring and threat detection technologies.
• Cybersecurity architecture for cloud infrastructure.
• Development of technical requirements, system diagrams and engineering documentation.
• Experience with cybersecurity procurement and acquisition processes.
• Architecture modelling and systems-of-systems design.
• Proficiency in ArchiMate modelling language.
• Stakeholder engagement, technical presentations and communication.
• Experience coordinating or leading small engineering teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and technical writing skills.
• English proficiency at NATO STANAG 6001 Level 3 or higher.

Experience

• At least 3 years of practical experience developing or delivering cybersecurity services.
• Proven experience identifying vulnerabilities, assessing threats and implementing cybersecurity solutions.
• Experience developing technical requirements, architectural diagrams and cybersecurity engineering deliverables.
• Experience designing and implementing security capabilities in operational environments.
• Experience in stakeholder management and technical leadership.
• Experience leading small teams.

Desirable Experience:

• Previous experience working for or supporting military or governmental organisations.
• Familiarity with complex, multi-stakeholder cybersecurity environments.

Educations and Certifications

Education:

- Bachelor's degree from a nationally recognised or certified university in a related discipline, together with at least 3 years of post-related experience.

Alternative education pathway:

- Candidates without a university degree may exceptionally qualify with at least 10 years of extensive and progressive relevant experience, demonstrating abilities of particular interest to NCIA.

Relevant Certifications:

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
• GIAC Security certification.

Working Location

Mons, Belgium

Working Policy

• Working arrangement: Full-time on-site as the default arrangement.
• Remote work: Up to 20% of total working time may be permitted from another NATO country, subject to prior approval from the Resource Manager and Section Head of D&I.
• Home-based work: May be permitted from the duty location under NCIA's teleworking policy.
• Start date: 16 December 2026.
• End date: 31 December 2026.(with possibility of extension)
• Total scope: 166 hours.
• Working conditions: Normal office environment.
• Equipment: NCIA provides IT equipment for processing restricted information. Contractors must provide suitable equipment for public/unclassified work when working remotely.
• Travel: May be required to NCIA locations in Belgium, the Netherlands or other NATO countries.

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance