|
1 POST CONTEXT
These are positions within the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). CMRE is an established, world-class scientific research and experimentation facility that organizes and conducts scientific research and technology development, centred on the maritime domain, delivering innovative and field-tested Science and Technology (S&T) solutions to address defence and security needs of the Alliance. These positions are within the Engineering and Information Technology Division (EITD). EITD consists of the Engineering Branch and the Information Technology Branch. The Engineering Branch (EB) addresses the engineering and technological requirements of the Centre's activity, integrating ocean engineering, embedded electronics and maritime sensors expertise - covering advanced systems, acoustic and other sensors, and unmanned platforms - to design, develop, operate, and maintain cutting-edge technologies. The Information Technology Branch supports the conception, design, development and construction of state-of-the-art technologies in computing, networking and data infrastructure, as well as developing, integrating and validating software applications, services and products, while ensuring interoperability, security and compliance with relevant NATO policies and regulations. These positions are within the Engineering Branch and may be assigned, according to technical profile, programme priorities, and organizational needs, to one of the following areas:
and/or to a newly implemented Project Development Section/Area, supporting project planning, execution and delivery.
2 PRINCIPAL DUTIES
We are looking for talented Engineers to support the Engineering Branch across multiple engineering disciplines and project areas. Under the supervision of the Section Head or Cell Head, the incumbent provides engineering expertise in support of CMRE’s scientific Programme of Work, engineering services, modernization activities and capability development projects. The incumbent’s main responsibilities and duties may include:
Lead or support the engineering lifecycle of systems, equipment, prototypes and limited-production solutions for laboratory, land, and shipboard, marine and underwater use.
Translate scientific, operational and user needs into requirements, specifications, interface documents, test plans, acceptance procedures and deliverables.
Design, develop, integrate, test and validate systems in embedded systems, electronics, data acquisition, UxVs, ocean engineering, marine systems, acoustic sensors, sonar and innovative sensing.
Integrate hardware, software, sensors, payloads, data acquisition systems, embedded systems, electro-mechanical components, COTS and supplied solutions.
Support lifecycle, procurement and acceptance activities, including specifications, statements of work, evaluations, supplier interfaces, testing, calibration, configuration, obsolescence, maintenance and repair.
Plan, prepare, support and report laboratory, land-based, shipboard and at-sea trials, including readiness, logistics, installation, safety, deployment, operation, recovery and troubleshooting.
Act, when required, as Principal or Deputy Engineering Coordinator for trials, coordinating staff, contractors, suppliers and scientific users.
Contribute to modernization projects, including definition of requirements, capability development, technical risk, supplier engagement, delivery, integration, acceptance and transition into service.
Support technical projects planning and delivery, including schedules, tasks, resources, costs, risks, issues, reporting, reviews and acceptance.
Prepare technical documentation, including studies, notes, drawings, interface documents, specifications, procedures, reports, user documentation and lessons learned.
Participate in working groups, project teams, reviews and stakeholder meetings, liaising with CMRE branches, industry, contractors and subcontractors.
Maintain awareness of relevant technologies, contribute innovation to NATO’s maritime technological edge, and perform other related duties as directed.
3 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES
a. Flexibility Clause The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as directed. All other related duties should correspond with the required competencies for the job.
b. Deployment/Travel The incumbent may be required to perform their duties onboard CMRE or chartered vessels. The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments within and outside NATO boundaries.
c. Certification
The incumbent needs to hold a fit for sea certificate in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) standards before taking up duty.
4 ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
a. Professional Experience Candidates must demonstrate experience in the following areas:
Design, development, integration, testing, validation, operation or maintenance of engineering systems, prototypes, limited production systems, scientific instrumentation or maritime systems.
Preparation of technical documentation, including specifications, procedures, test reports, feasibility studies, proposals or engineering reports.
Support to laboratory, field or at-sea operations.
Technical coordination of multidisciplinary teams.
Solve technical problems under schedule, cost, quality, operational or safety constraints.
b. Education / Professional experience A minimum requirement of:
Bachelor’s degree at a nationally recognized/certified university in an engineering, scientific or technical discipline relevant to one of the below mentioned disciplines, with at least 4 years post-related experience;
or
Master’s degree at a nationally recognized/certified university in an engineering, scientific or technical discipline relevant to at least one of the post areas, with at least 2 years post-related experience.
Relevant disciplines may include, but are not limited to Electronic, Computer, Robotics, Electro-Mechanical, Naval, Mechanical, Acoustic, Applied Physics, Optical, Quantum Engineering.
c. Language Requirements
A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.
English SLP 3333 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
NOTE: Most of the work of CMRE is conducted in the English language.
5 DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate may possess a combination of the following qualifications, depending on the position area for which they are considered:
Experience supervising, leading or coordinating engineers, technicians, crafts persons or small multidisciplinary teams.
Experience with embedded/electronic systems, including sensor interfaces, data acquisition, firmware, FPGA, Linux / Embedded Linux, edge computing, data links, automation or control software.
Experience integrating COTS or custom systems, sensors or payloads into marine, underwater, autonomous or remotely operated platforms, and with mechanical, marine or ocean engineering design, integration, maintenance, calibration, safety testing or certification.
Experience with underwater acoustic, marine sensor or innovative sensing systems, including sonar, transducers, optical, photonic, fibre-optic, geophysical, oceanographic, quantum-related or other advanced sensing technologies.
Experience supporting, managing or leading technical, engineering, capability-development or modernization projects, including planning, reporting, stakeholder engagement, risk management, requirements, specifications, test plans, acceptance documentation or decision-support material.
Experience working in NATO, defence, maritime, scientific, research, multinational, customer-funded or project-funded environments, and familiarity with NATO policies, standards, governance processes or technical assurance practices.
Italian SLP 2222 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) to support collaboration with local suppliers, contractors, authorities and ship staff.
6 ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES The successful candidate possesses the following competencies/personal attributes:
Structured approach to problem solving and ability to solve complex technical issues under operational, schedule, cost, safety or quality constraints.
Very good interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships, solicit input, collaborate effectively and support team members.
Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks effectively and take initiative with limited supervision.
Innovative and creative thinking, with willingness to contribute to continuous improvement and to explore new technologies and methods in a multidisciplinary environment.
Customer orientation and commitment to delivering practical, reliable and fit-for-purpose engineering solutions.
All CMRE personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability and professionalism.
7 REMARKS The duties are performed in an office, laboratory, workshop, shipboard, field or at-sea environment. Slightly undesirable working conditions may apply.
__________________________ About Us: The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is part of the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO). The mission of the STO is to help position both national and NATO science and technology investments as a strategic enabler and technology advantage for the defence and security posture of NATO Allies and partners. The Centre conducts scientific research and technology development and delivers innovative field-tested S&T solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance. CMRE has more than 60 years of experience and has produced a cadre of leaders in ocean science, modelling and simulation, acoustics and other disciplines, as well as producing critical results and understanding that have been built into the operational concepts of NATO and the Nations. What we offer:
Salary (Pay Basis): 5,879.80 (EUR) Monthly. Salary value as per 2026. Subject to future adjustments in accordance with North Atlantic Council decisions.
Grade ABCL grade A2 / NATO grade G15
A world class research facility located in the sea port of La Spezia, Italy supported by two specialised research vessels.
An exciting place in which to work situated at an ideal location, the port of La Spezia, Italy, enabling synergy with regional and global academic institutes and industry.
Salary and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR), which includes a rewarding salary and a comprehensive system of allowances, supplements and insurances to support families and, in case of expatriated staff, offers an interesting “expatriate” package.
A generous annual leave and, (where eligible) home leave.
The successful candidate will be offered a three years’ definite duration contract which may be renewed for subsequent periods subject to business needs, satisfactory performance and the need to rotate skills and talent within the Organization.
Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
NOTE FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS: CMRE intends to recruit multiple G15/A2 Engineers for the Engineering Branch (EB), to support its Programme of Work (POW). The positions may be assigned to one of the EB Sections:
and/or to a newly implemented Project Development Section / Area, supporting project planning, execution and delivery. During the application process candidates shall indicate the EB Section matching their qualifications and experience. Project Development positions could be offered to candidates with suitable technical background, combined with significant experience and aptitude in project development, project delivery and project management.
Our recruitment process:
Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.
Applications (including the most relevant publications, the diplomas - stating the highest level of education - and a CV) for this vacancy are to be submitted using the E-recruitment system;
Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the CMRE Medical Adviser.
Additional information:
CMRE values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We welcome applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourage women to apply.
Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.
For more information on how to apply:
NOTE: NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.
|