SATCOM & Space Intern (SDR & Interference Analysis)

For more than 75 years NATOs mission has been to preserve peace and security in the Alliance for nearly one billion citizens. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) is NATOs technology and cyber hub. We are a team of 3400 civilian and military staff working together to connect all corners of NATO and maintain its edge from 30 locations across the Alliance.

We are a key partner in NATOs Digital Transformation working hand in hand with industry to provide technical solutions and expertise facilitating political consultations and decision-making and enabling multi-domain operations.

Our experts provide secure static and deployable communications infrastructure satellite communications and information technology services connected the Alliances forces and strengthening NATOs defence and deterrence posture. Fulfilling NCIAs missions is possible because of our greatest force our order to reinforce NATOs edge we aim to hire train and retain the very best staff.

Our staff members represent both the diversity and unity of our Alliance. When you join NCIA you will be part of an organization where you can contribute authentically to the mission and purpose of NATO and help us ensure seamless connectivity among Allied partner nations.

About the Program

The NCIA internship is a 6-month program based at one of our key hubs in The Netherlands Belgium or Portugal. Our internship opportunities start from either 1 March or 1 September with the start date being dependent on the timeline to secure the required security clearance to work within the NATO community. During an internship you will join and support a diverse international team and simultaneously learn from our experts via on-the-job training working independently on purposeful projects or initiatives during your tenure.

About the Internship

Internship duration: 6 months

Location: Mons Belgium

The NATO Integrated Mobile Service Centre provides NATO and its partners with scalable protected secure reliable and integrated Wireless Communication-based Services with a focus on NATO Operations Crisis Response Missions Exercises and Business Continuity. The NIMSC Chief is responsible for planning and executing all lifecycle management activities for centres following services: strategy design transition operation and continuous service improvement including subject matter expertise research and development acquisition and logistic support.

The intern will work within the SATCOM Operations Team of the NIMSC SATCOM and Space Business Unit focusing on software-defined radio (SDR) recording signal analysis and characterization of communication signals. Responsibilities include operating a reference antenna and transceiver to perform recordings extracting and preparing data for post-processing and conducting analysis of

recorded signals including interference assessments. You will study signal types trends and patterns related to intentional and unintentional interference and learn about interference cancellation methods. The internship concludes with preparation of a detailed report summarizing activities performed. This role provides hands-on experience in RF measurement signal analysis and SATCOM operations.

About you:

The valuable knowledge and experience that you bring to this role is:

Programming/software development: Designs codes verifies tests documents amends and refactors simple programs/scripts. Applies agreed standards and tools to achieve a well-engineered result. Reviews own work.

Radio frequency engineering: Assists with setting up tuning and functional checks of radio frequency devices and software. Resolves faults down to line replaceable unit level or escalates according to given procedures. Carries out user confidence checks and escalates faults according to given procedures. Integrates RF devices with software applications using static configurations.

Behavioural Competencies

• Deciding & Initiating Action: Takes responsibility for actions projects and people; takes initiative and works under own direction; initiates and generates activity and introduces changes into work processes; makes quick clear decisions which may include tough choices or considered risks
• Creating & Innovating: Produces new ideas approaches or insights; creates innovative products or designs; produces a range of solutions to problems
• Relating & Networking: Easily establishes good relationships with customers and staff; relates well to people at all levels; builds wide and effective networks of contacts; uses humour appropriately to bring warmth to relationships with others

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for our internship program you will need to meet the following criteria:

• You are a national of a NATO member country
• You are currently studying towards a university-level degree or have recently graduated in the past 12 months
• A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages both written and spoken is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable. NOTE: Most of the work of the NCIA is conducted in the English language

We also request that you please attach the following documents to your application form:

• Copy of the university degree you have completed and/or
• Proof of ongoing studies with the dates clearly mentioned if you are still studying

Application Process:

The application process for an internship at NCIA is:

1. Apply via the NCIA Careers site by 23:59 CET Sunday 8th March 2026
2. If selected to progress to the first stage evaluation this will consists of a variety logic numeracy and behavioral gamified exercises in addition to on-demand video questions aligned to the requirements of the internship
3. Virtual interviews will take place in the months of March and April
4. Conditional offer to be presented to successful candidates by early May

Compensation

Belgium

You will be compensated at a fixed taxable rate of 1334.96 EUR per month based on 38 hours of work per week and for reasonable travel expenses to start on day 1 and to return to your home location once the internship is complete.

Thank you for your patience while we consider your application. To learn more about NCIA and our work please visit our website.

Future Opportunities

In support of the NCIA strategy to hire train and retain exceptional talent the NCIA Internship Programme embeds a performance management process throughout the 6 month internship to provide high performing interns with the opportunity to continue their internship experience after their internship is successfully completed in a paid post at G8 equivalent at the duty location for 6 months to a maximum of 24 months. There is no guarantee that the internship can transfer to an Internship Temporary Personnel (ITP) as the funding is aligned to business priorities and objectives.

NCIA prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment of mutual respect and value uniqueness and differences in gender gender identity race ethnic or cultural origin age religion sexual orientation and physical or neurocognitive ability.

Additional details on the conditions of application can be found via the NCIA career site