Network 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 – C004861

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide advanced Level 3 support for complex enterprise network environments.

• Lead the technical resolution of high-impact and high-severity incidents.

• Perform in-depth analysis of recurring issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.

• Identify opportunities for service optimization and operational improvements, and drive their implementation.

• Contribute to the design, planning, and implementation of network enhancements and new projects.

• Ensure technical correctness, operational readiness, and minimal service impact during changes and deployments.

• Validate and support network changes in line with governance and change management processes.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, external partners, and service stakeholders.

• Maintain accurate technical documentation and contribute to knowledge sharing within the team.

• Ensure that, on Routing and Switching elements, remote routine maintenance throughout NATO sites is performed

• Coordinate with sites for Routing and Switching elements centralisation, standardisation and best practices

• Liaise and collaborate internally throughout the NCI Agency Service Line infrastructures and to external organisations for fault rectification activities

• Being responsible for the creation and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures

• Coordinates and performs routing infrastructures design, configuration and maintenance activities for all appointed NATO exercise scenarios and Operations

• Performing the practical evaluation of management tools and capabilities

• Ensure a common understanding of the available toolsets and method of utilization within the centralised and distributed user base

• Investigating and proposing long term solutions to encountered equipment and configuration problems

• When required, coordinates on-site surveys, validations and system acceptance testing into the Routing infrastructure.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• At least 8 years' progressive experience in complex network engineering roles.

• Design, implementation and support scalable enterprise network infrastructures leveraging BGP, MPLS, IPv6, OSPF, IS-IS, IP multicast, Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN).

• Active CCNP (Enterprise, Service Provider) certification is required.

• Deep knowledge of BGP, including route reflectors, confederations, communities, path manipulation, and filtering (iBGP, eBGP, policy control).

• Proficient in QoS design, shaping, policing, and classification techniques for converged networks. Extensive experience in fine-tuning QoS policies to support mission-critical applications and voice services. Knowledge of QoS configuration and traffic classification models (CBWFQ, LLQ and WRED).

• Proven expertise in IPv6 implementation, troubleshooting and dual-stack environments with a strong focus on IPv6 adoption and transition strategies.

• Deep knowledge and experience with: policy-based routing, route aggregation and summarization, redistribution, VRF, MPLS traffic engineering.

• In-depth knowledge of multicast protocols (PIM sparse/dense mode, IGMP, MSDP, Anycast RP) and their use in real-world deployments. Configuration and troubleshooting of multicast protocols.

• Proficient in datacenter and switching technologies (STP, MSTP, RapidPVST, EtherChannel, LACP, Virtual Stack, StackWise, Cisco Nexus NX-OS, Spine-Leaf Architecture, VXLAN)

• Strong troubleshooting skills with tools like Wireshark, NetFlow and SNMP. Knowledge of network monitoring concepts.

• Hands-on experience with SD-WAN technologies.

• Familiarity with DevNet, API integrations, and network programmability.

• Knowledge of network security best practices (ACLs, firewalls, VPNs, IPSec, AAA, Role Based Access Control, Public Key Infrastructure, security-hardening concepts).

• Proficient in network automation and scripting (Python, Ansible, Terraform).

• A minimum of 2 years' experience with the configuration and operation of HP Network Automation or equivalent network automation and orchestration systems

• A minimum of 4 years' experience with the configuration and operation of Network Monitoring and Event Management systems ideally CA Spectrum,

• Proven experience in the use of an Incident Management System such as BMC Remedy

• A high level of knowledge of network, system and application-level troubleshooting techniques

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of command-and-control systems

• Extensive technical management expertise in C2 management

• Broad knowledge of C2 systems and software maintenance procedures

• Experience in Site and Systems Evaluation and Inspection

• Experience of preparing test plans, technical documentation and Standard Operating Procedures

• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Autonomous, problem-solver and drives towards results

• Experience in configuration management practices and tools

• Knowledge of ITIL IT service management model

• Experience and applied knowledge of Service Transition

Desirable Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Active CCIE (R&S, Enterprise Infrastructure or Service Provider) certification is desirable.

• Post graduate degree in a field related to the function of the post

• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements

• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities, structure and organization, including ACO and ACT

Education

• A minimum requirement of a Bachelor's degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 2 years post-related experience.

• Alternatively, 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 8 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post.

Working Location

• Grazzanise, Italy

Working Policy

• Onsite

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO 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.