Network Operations and Support 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 IW Cs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

Role ID – 2025-0001
Role Background
NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) provides end-user services to customers throughout NATO. These end-users services are supported by Innovation, Deployable amp; Engineering (ID amp; E) - Operations amp; Exercises (OPEX) provided by the NATO Infrastructure Services Centre (NISC) Business Area of NCIA. All services provided by NCIA, regardless of whether they are end-user services or supporting services, are under the responsibility of Service Delivery Managers (SDM).
The NATO Infrastructure Service Centre (NISC) Business Area Lead (BAL) is accountable for planning and executing the full lifecycle management activities (design, transition and operations) for the identified area of responsibility. NISC provides generic, domain independent, technical functionality that enables and facilitates the operation and use of Information Technology resources. NISC services (including: subject matter expertise; acquisition; project management, operations and maintenance; and, disposal) are provided in the following technical domains: Network Services (to include routing, switching and transmission services), infrastructure hosting, storage and processing, infrastructure networking, HW and SW management, databases and web platform services, as well as identity management. Services are provided throughout the lifecycle to both internal and external customers in both static and deployable settings.
Role Duties and Responsibilities


• Ensure high-quality, continuous support for DCIS service


• Provide continuous monitoring and pro-active administration of the DCIS service


• Develop and deploy iterative updates to the DCIS services, aligning with evolving business requirements.



Support activities:


• Supporting the delivery of 3rd level technical support for IT and Data Management Services in DCIS and assuring availability of assigned services.


• Supporting the performs fault diagnosis using the IT and Data Management Services Management System


• Supporting to Supervise and carry out routine maintenance of IT and Data Management Services infrastructure, management appliances and other NATO IT and Data Management Services equipment


• Supporting the completion of any changes to the system documentation


• Supporting the completion of backups and restores of IT and Data Management Services devices


• Supporting the performs remote fault diagnosis on IT and Data Management Services as required


• Supporting the collaboration with the stakeholders, both internal and externals, as necessary, to coordinate efforts and ensure smooth execution of software support and development activities


• Supporting the execution of the processes of Incident Management, Change Management and Release Management, as required, following the NCIA procedures and execute incident intervention/resolution within expected KPI`s.



Essential Skills and Experience
At least 8 years’ progressive experience in complex network engineering roles:


• Design, implementation and support scalable enterprise network infrastructures leveraging BGP, MPLS, I Pv6, OSPF, IS-IS.


• Active CCIE (R amp; S, Enterprise Infrastructure or 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 I Pv6 implementation, troubleshooting and dual-stack environments with a strong focus on I Pv6 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, Ether Channel, LACP, Virtual Stack, Stack Wise, Cisco Nexus NX-OS, Spine- Leaf Architecture, VXLAN)


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


• Hands-on experience with SD-WAN technologies.


• Familiarity with Dev Net, API integrations, and network programmability.


• Knowledge of network security best practices (AC Ls, firewalls, VP Ns, IP Sec, AAA, Role Based Access Control, Public Key Infrastructure, security-hardening concepts).


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


• Preferred Skills:


• Integration and support voice over IP ( VoIP) solutions, including SIP trunking, call routing and voice gateway configurations.


• Experience in cloud networking


• Knowledge of Segment Routing (SR, S Rv6)


• Knowledge and understanding of the latest software defined (SDN) networking technologies: VM Ware NSX, Cisco ACI


• Configuration management practices and tools


• Knowledge of ITIL IT service management model


• Experience and applied knowledge of Service Transition


• Proven ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with good briefing skills


• Strong and open communication skills


• Entrepreneur and strong networking skills


• Autonomous, problem-solver and drives towards results



Professional Qualifications


• Must have excellent spoken and written English communication and presentation skills, as demonstrated by recent experience (within the past 5 years)


• Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with users, team members and stakeholders


• Must demonstrate the ability and self-motivation to work on his/her own but must also work well within groups as part of a team


• Must demonstrate an ability and keen sense for problem-solving


• Motivated, good communication skills, team player


• Able to work independently with minimal supervision


• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization



Language Proficiency


• Business English



Working Location


• Grazzanise, Italy



Working Policy


• On- Site



Travel


• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required



Security Clearance


• Valid National 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.