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 – C004235

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Systems design

• Follows standard approaches and established design patterns to create new designs for simple systems or system components.
• Identifies and resolves minor design issues.
• Identifies alternative design options and seeks guidance when deviating from established design patterns.

Network design

• Specifies the technical configurations and components required for a small network or a network segment in a more complex infrastructure.
• Follows organisational architectures and standards.

Systems integration and build

• Defines the software modules needed for an integration build and produces a build definition for each generation of the software.
• Accepts completed software modules, ensuring that they meet defined criteria.
• Produces software builds from software source code for loading onto target hardware.
• Configures the hardware and software environment as required by the system being integrated.
• Produces integration test specifications, conducts tests and records and reports on outcomes.
• Diagnoses faults and records and reports on the results of tests.
• Produces system integration reports.

Network support

• Maintains the network support process and checks that all requests for support are dealt with according to agreed procedures.
• Ensures network configurations are applied to meet operational requirements in line with agreed procedures.
• Uses network management software and tools to investigate and diagnose network problems, collect performance statistics and create reports

Additional duties for this post :

• Network Design & Implementation – Plan, configure, and deploy routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP, IS-IS).
• LA / WAN Optimization – Optimize routing tables and traffic flow for performance and redundancy.
• Troubleshooting & Support – Diagnose and resolve routing issues, including latency, congestion, and failures.
• Security & Compliance – Implement route filtering, prefix lists, and security policies to prevent unauthorized access.
• Capacity Planning – Monitor network usage and plan for scalability and growth.
• Documentation & Reporting – Maintain network diagrams, change logs, and incident reports.
• Collaboration – Work with other teams (e.g., security, data centre, cloud) to ensure seamless connectivity.
• Software & Firmware Management – Upgrade and patch routers to maintain security and stability.
• Testing & Lab Work – Conduct network simulations and testing before deploying changes.
• On-Call Support – Be available on a rotating basis for after-hours network incidents and escalations.
• Enterprise Security Operations Center Rotation – Take assigned shifts in the ESOC to monitor and manage network operations in real-time

Essential Skills and Experience

• Hands-on experience with the designing, implementing, and maintaining the core network architecture for large organizations.
• Practical experience configuring, troubleshooting and optimizing routers, switches, firewalls, and other hardware / software networking elements.
• CCNA Routing and Switching or similar training / certification At least 2 years practical experience with the designing, implementing, and maintaining the core network architecture for large organizations.
• Good practical experience configuring, troubleshooting and optimizing routers, switches, firewalls, and other hardware / software networking elements.

Knowledge and experience of the following domains :

• Routing and Protocol Expertise : Proficiency in dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, IS-IS) and traffic engineering techniques, with a strong foundation in IPv4 / IPv6 networking. MPLS, IPv6, Segment Routing, QoS.
• SD-WAN and Network Virtualization : Hands-on experience deploying, managing, and optimizing SD-WAN solutions for modern enterprise environments. Software Defined (SDx) (e.g. SDN, SD-WAN, SDDC, SASE) Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)
• Troubleshooting and Automation : Advanced troubleshooting skills combined with knowledge of network automation tools (e.g., Python, Ansible) for efficient configuration and monitoring.
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements
• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization, including ACO and ACT.
• Cisco or other network manufacturer certifications are welcome.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good analytical skills and problem-solving attitude.

Specific Working Conditions

• Take assigned shifts in the ESOC to monitor and manage network operations in real-time.

Working Location

• Braine l’Alleud, Belgium

Working Policy

• On-Site

Travel

• Up to 100 travels between NATO sites in Belgium (Braine l’Alleud, Mons, Brussels)

Security Clearance

• Valid National Top Secret or NATO Cosmic Top 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.