SATCOM Engineer

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 NATOs 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 NATOs communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATOs 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 NATOs mission to detect deny and defeat threats to its communication networks.
• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATOs information technology infrastructure including its databases applications and servers.

Overall the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATOs communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATOs 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 categorises: 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

Role Background

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) has been established with a view to meeting the collective requirements of some or all NATO nations in the fields of capability delivery and service provision related to Consultation Command & Control as well as Communications Information and Cyber Defence functions thereby also facilitating the integration of Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Target Acquisition functions and their associated information exchange.

NCIA is dedicated to acquiring deploying and defending communication systems for NATOs political decision-makers and Commands. It operates on the frontlines against cyber-attacks collaborating closely with governments and industry to prevent future debilitating attacks. The NCIA plays a crucial role in maintaining NATOs technological edge and ensuring the collective defence and crisis management capabilities of the pursuit of our mission we require specialized advisory services to enhance our interim workforce capacity.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Antenna and RF Signal-Chain Engineering
  • Maintaining antenna pointing tracking alignment calibration of mechanical and control systems.
  • Overseeing RF front-end/back-end maintenance: modems up/down-converters LNA/TWTA/SSPA filters waveguides and associated hardware.
  • Supporting link budget verification signal quality monitoring noise figure control interference mitigation.
  • Assisting with weather environmental and surface reflections effects impacting signal path (radome maintenance protective surfaces).
• Structural Anchoring & Civil/Mechanical Systems
  • Inspecting and maintain antenna foundations pedestals radome structural integrity anchoring systems.
  • Supporting civil/structural works associated with site including radomes support towers site drainage buildings shelters.
  • Overseeing mechanical equipment: radome motors/hydraulic or pneumatic systems radome seals..
• Power Environmental & Facility Systems
  • Managing prime power (diesel generators fuel systems) backup power UPS battery systems.
  • Maintaining HVAC air handling climate control dehumidification ventilation fire suppression systems.
  • Monitoring environmental conditions inside RF shelters/rooms (temperature humidity) critical to RF performance.
• Safety Compliance & Regulatory
  • Ensuring site compliance with host nation electrical codes HSE standards safety policies (electrical fire hazardous substances).
  • Maintaining grounding lightning protection bonding per standards.
  • Supporting audits certifications inspections and ensure documentation is up to date.
• Lifecycle Obsolescence & Upgrade Support
  • Tracking equipment lifecycles and obsolescence risk (spare parts availability vendor support).
  • Assisting in preparing upgrade / replacement plans for aging or failing components.
  • Supporting integration of new equipment or enhancements (e.g. filter upgrades RF path improvements mechanical improvements).
• Operational Support & Incident Response
  • Providing fault diagnosis and corrective maintenance for station infrastructure and RF/SATCOM systems.
  • Supporting 24/7 or emergency response as required (depending on severity).
  • Liaising with operations remote support or central engineering for resolving issues beyond local scope.
• Documentation Reporting & Interface
  • Maintaining configuration control: keep technical baselines drawings as-built documentation up to date.
  • Maintaining local logbooks ITSM/Ticketing system entries TT-Comms (or equivalent).
  • Producing monthly engineering support reports with activities faults corrective and preventive maintenance recommendations risk assessments.
  • Supporting the Principal Engineer with technical justifications decision support acceptance of delivered works and briefing material.

Essential Skills Experience and Certifications

• SATCOM Expertise: Minimum of three years of practical experience in SATCOM systems including UHF SHF HF and EHF systems.
• Technical Expertise: Familiarity with modern military communication networks including interfaces protocols and experience with SATCOM Operations.
• Customer Service and Incident Management: Experience in service management (incident problem management etc.) and a customer-focused approach in a control centre environment.
• Experience in test equipment usage (e.g. spectrum analyser vector network analyser oscilloscope power meter) and ability to automatize measurements using different programs/programming languages (e.g. LabView Matlab Pyhton C).
• NATO Environment: Prior experience working in a NATO or multinational military setting with a solid understanding of NATO operational standards and protocols.

Education

• University Degree in Telecommunications Electronics or a related field with at least two years of post-related experience or Higher Vocational Training with a minimum of five years of post-related experience.

Language

• English

Working Location

• The Hague Netherlands

Working Policy

• Onsite

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance