C004648 Principal Technician (Digital Communication Services) (NS) FRI 13 Feb

Deadline Date: Friday 13 February 2026

Requirement: Principal Technician (Digital Communication Services)

Location: Braine-lAlleud BE

Full Time On-Site: Yes

Time On-Site: 100%

Total Scope of the request (hours): 418

Required Start Date: 2 March 2026

End Contract Date: 31 December 2026

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

Duties & Role:

Systems design

• Designs large or complex systems and undertakes impact analysis on major design options and trade-offs;
• Ensures that the system design balances functional and non-functional requirements;
• Reviews systems design and ensures that appropriate methods tools and techniques are applied effectively;
• Makes recommendations and assesses and manages associated risks;
• Adopts and adapts system design methods tools and techniques;
• Contributes to development of system design policies standards and selection of architecture components.

Network design

• Produces or approves network providers network architectures topologies and configuration databases for own area of responsibility;
• Specifies design parameters for network connectivity capacity speed interfacing security and access in line with business requirements;
• Assesses network-related risks and specifies recovery routines and contingency procedures;
• Creates multiple design views to address the different stakeholders concerns and to handle both functional and non-functional requirements.

Systems integration and build

• Plans and drives activities to develop organisational systems integration and build capabilities including automation and continuous integration;
• Identifies evaluates and manages the adoption of tools techniques and processes to create a robust integration framework;
• Provides authoritative advice and guidance on any aspect of systems integration;
• Leads integration work in line with the agreed system and service design;
• Assesses risks and takes preventative action;
• Measures and monitors applications of standards;
• Contributes to the development of organisational policies standards and guidelines for systems integration.

Network support

• Drafts and maintains procedures and documentation for network support and operation;
• Makes a significant contribution to the investigation diagnosis and resolution of network problems;
• Ensures that all requests for support are dealt with according to set standards and procedures.

Additional duties for this post:

• Be responsible for implementing and maintaining network routing infrastructure. Their duties typically include:
• Network Design & Implementation Plan configure and deploy LAN and WLAN networks;
• QoS Optimization Configure and enhance Quality of Service in LAN and Wireless LAN networks;
• Troubleshooting & Support Diagnose and resolve LAN 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 center 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 (ESOC) Take assigned shifts in the ESOC to monitor and manage network operations in real-time.

Skill Knowledge & Experience:

• The candidate must have a currently active NATO SECRET security clearance
• A minimum requirement of a Bachelors degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 2 years post-related experience.
• Or exceptionally the lack of a university degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidates particular abilities or experience that is/are of interest to NCIA that is at least 6 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post.
• At least 3 years practical experience with the designing implementing and maintaining the core network architecture for large organizations;
• Relevant practical experience configuring troubleshooting and optimizing Wireless LAN Controllers Routers Switches and other hardware/software networking elements;
• Ability to stay updated with emerging technologies;
• Very good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving attitude;
• Experience in leading small teams.

Education Experience and Training (Desirable):

• Knowledge and experience of Network Local Area Network and Network Wireless Communications;
• Knowledge and experience in applying ITIL principles and methodologies applied to effective Service Management and Control;
• Experience with centralised management systems e.g. DX NetOps Spectrum Cisco Catalyst Center Splunk and/or Cisco ISE;
• Public cloud experience and CSP certifications from Azure AWS GCP Meraki technologies;
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements;
• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization including ACO and ACT.
• Valid CCNA Certification or other vendor network certifications are welcome.

Required Experience:

Staff IC