Who we are\:

For more than 70 years, NATO’s mission has been to preserve peace and security in the Alliancefor nearly one billion citizens. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) and its predecessors have worked tirelessly in providing the means that enable the connectedness and togetherness that keep our Alliance strong. We are the NCI Agency, a team of 3000 civilian and military staff in 29 locations throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

Our technology and cyber experts allow NATO to conduct critical operations, protect NATO’s airspace, make data-driven decisions, defend against cyber-attacks, secure NATO networks and maintain superiority in space. This is all possible because of our greatest force, our people. In order to keep this edge we aim to hire, train and retain the very best staff.

Our staff members represent both the diversity and unity of our Alliance. When you join the NCI Agency, you will be part of an organization where you can contribute authentically to the mission and purpose of NATO and help us keep our technological edge.

About the job\:

Based in The Hague, you will join the Agency as we embark on a journey to transform our IT services to support NATO’s Digital Endeavour. You will join The Independent Assurance Branch of Chief Quality Office, which plays a crucial role in ensuring that the NCIA delivers systems and services that work seamlessly together for exercises, missions and partners. IAB independently verifies and validates the readiness of NATO Command Structure (NCS) systems for interoperability. This includes ensuring compatibility with assigned National and Multinational forces involved in NATO-led missions and exercises. 

We are looking for a driven and enthusiastic Principal Interoperability Engineer who will take on the following roles and responsibilities\:

  • Lead Interoperability assurance activities on NATO led mission networks and exercises, like Steadfast Cobalt or Coalition Warrior Interoperability Exercise (CWIX);

  • Lead Coalition Interoperability Assurance and Validation (CIAV) Working Groups for the different initiatives, like Federated Mission Networking (FMN), Allied Federation Services (AFS) or Allied Reaction Force (ARF);

  • Perform interoperability assessments for projects and cross-project, as well as for NATO Enterprise, NATO Alliance and Mission Networks;

  • Participate in interoperability testing events and leads planning and execution of events she/he is responsible for;

  • Analyse complex test scenarios based on operational use cases, extract the test conditions, design tests events;

  • Lead the definition and report of interoperability KPIs at project, portfolio and programme level;

  • Lead the design, optimization and execution of interoperability assurance processes;

  • Collect results from programmes and projects and aggregate them in dashboards and reports;

  • Assure traceability of interoperability requirements from portfolio to programme to project;

  • Maintain necessary documentation and audit trail of all activities conducted;

  • Contribute to NATO and the NCIA interoperability strategy, policies and plans, and execution;

  • Manage staff, projects and services as required;

  • Assist with recruitment of staff as required;

  • Conducting in-depth analysis of interoperability requirements, including understanding system architectures and diagrams, data formats, and communication protocols

  • Collaborating with software developers, system architects, and stakeholders to ensure compatibility and alignment with business needs;

  • Testing and validating interoperability solutions to ensure reliability, security, and performance;

  • Assessing the interoperability capabilities of existing systems and identifying gaps or areas for improvement;

  • Monitoring system performance and implementing optimizations to enhance interoperability;

  • Researching commercial and NATO standards, best practices, and emerging technologies related to interoperability;

  • Staying current with industry standards and best practices to enhance system interoperability;

  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and implement interoperability solutions;

  • Providing guidance and support to junior Engineers on interoperability best practices;

  • Deputize for higher grade staff or the branch head, if required;

  • Perform other duties as may be required.

For a full list of duties, please review the job description on the NCI Agency career site.

About you\:

The valuable knowledge and experience that you bring to this role are\:

  • A Master’s degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 5 years post-related experience; Or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 8 years post related experience;

  • Demonstrated leadership skills including excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to brief large audiences;

  • Extensive experience with leading medium/large teams;

  • Proven experience with development of principles, assumptions, rules and guidelines to analyse, structure and classify interoperability requirements and their assessment for portfolios, programmes and projects;

  • Proven experience in leading tasks that involve working with customer representatives, technical teams and operational subject matter experts;

  • Proven experience with managing external stakeholders and co-workers during the execution of large complex projects, either in commercial or military environment;

  • Proven ability to communicate effectively on a wide range of technical topics related to cloud computing, networking, infrastructure, software and system architecture and design and DevOps at all levels such as technical teams and management;

  • Experience with NATO CIS assets, CIAV initiatives or NATO interoperability exercises, like CWIX or Steadfast Cobalt will be an advantage;

  • Proven working experience in the Federated Mission Networking Framework, especially in the area of Interoperability Assurance and Validation will be an asset;

  • Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

What we offer\:

  • Genuinely meaningful work as part of the most successful alliance in history;

  • 5 year contract with competitive tax-free salary and household and children’s allowances;

  • Privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and education allowances (where appropriate) and additional home leave;

  • Excellent private health insurance scheme;

  • Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays;

  • NATO Pension Scheme;

  • Development programs such as professional training, wellbeing, and more.

To learn more about NCI Agency and our work, please visit our website.

The NCI Agency prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment of mutual respect and value uniqueness and differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnic or cultural origin, age, religion, sexual orientation and physical or neurocognitive ability.

Additional details on the conditions of application can be found via the NCI Agency career site.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.