National Thematic Expert
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Thehague
Netherlands
August 24, 2026
Full-timeAugust 24, 2026
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) has been operational for over 70 years, dedicated to preserving peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security for nearly one billion citizens. With a workforce of around 3000 civilian and military staff, the agency operates in 29 locations across Europe, North America, and Asia. The NCI Agency focuses on providing the technological backbone that enables NATO to conduct critical operations, protect airspace, and defend against cyber threats. The organization emphasizes the importance of its personnel, aiming to hire, train, and retain the best talent to maintain its technological edge.
Job Overview:
The Data Engineer position is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and is part of the Chief Technology Office (CTO) at the NCI Agency. This role is pivotal in transforming NATO's IT services to support its Digital Endeavour. The Data Engineer will be responsible for deploying, operating, and evolving the data infrastructure and tooling that allows NATO to process data efficiently and securely. This includes working in both cloud-connected and airgapped environments. The role requires a hands-on approach to engineering, with a focus on taking ownership of complex challenges and driving initiatives with a high degree of autonomy. The Data Engineer will also apply DataOps practices to automate and improve data pipelines, ensuring high standards of data quality and observability.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Engineer will have a variety of responsibilities, including: deploying, configuring, and maintaining data platform components such as orchestrators, catalogues, object stores, query engines, and lakehouse tooling on containerized infrastructure; applying DataOps practices to automate and monitor data pipelines; overseeing and coordinating with industry partners to ensure alignment with project objectives; advising NATO Enterprise and Alliance partners on data architectural frameworks; and taking ownership of platform and architectural challenges. The role requires proactive identification of opportunities for improvement and the ability to drive initiatives independently.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in a related field such as Computer Science or Data Science and Engineering, along with at least 2 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, candidates may qualify with at least 6 years of extensive experience in related duties if they do not hold a degree. Strong proficiency in Python, a solid understanding of data engineering concepts, and hands-on experience with data platform tooling in cloud or airgapped environments are essential. Familiarity with DataOps principles and sound software development practices are also required.
Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Computer Science or Data Science and Engineering is required. The absence of a degree may be compensated by extensive relevant experience, demonstrating the necessary skills and knowledge for the role.
Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of related experience in data engineering or a similar field. Candidates with 6 years of extensive and progressive expertise in relevant duties may also be considered if they lack a formal degree. Experience in deploying and operating data platform tooling, as well as familiarity with DataOps practices, is crucial.
Languages:
A thorough knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is essential for this role. While English is mandatory, additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not specified as requirements.
Additional Notes:
The position offers a five-year contract with a competitive tax-free salary, household and children’s allowances, and privileges for expatriate staff, including education allowances and additional home leave. Employees will benefit from excellent private health insurance, generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays, and pension benefits under the NATO Pension Scheme. The NCI Agency is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and is an equal opportunity employer.
The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) has been operational for over 70 years, dedicated to preserving peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security for nearly one billion citizens. With a workforce of around 3000 civilian and military staff, the agency operates in 29 locations across Europe, North America, and Asia. The NCI Agency focuses on providing the technological backbone that enables NATO to conduct critical operations, protect airspace, and defend against cyber threats. The organization emphasizes the importance of its personnel, aiming to hire, train, and retain the best talent to maintain its technological edge.
Job Overview:
The Data Engineer position is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and is part of the Chief Technology Office (CTO) at the NCI Agency. This role is pivotal in transforming NATO's IT services to support its Digital Endeavour. The Data Engineer will be responsible for deploying, operating, and evolving the data infrastructure and tooling that allows NATO to process data efficiently and securely. This includes working in both cloud-connected and airgapped environments. The role requires a hands-on approach to engineering, with a focus on taking ownership of complex challenges and driving initiatives with a high degree of autonomy. The Data Engineer will also apply DataOps practices to automate and improve data pipelines, ensuring high standards of data quality and observability.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Engineer will have a variety of responsibilities, including: deploying, configuring, and maintaining data platform components such as orchestrators, catalogues, object stores, query engines, and lakehouse tooling on containerized infrastructure; applying DataOps practices to automate and monitor data pipelines; overseeing and coordinating with industry partners to ensure alignment with project objectives; advising NATO Enterprise and Alliance partners on data architectural frameworks; and taking ownership of platform and architectural challenges. The role requires proactive identification of opportunities for improvement and the ability to drive initiatives independently.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in a related field such as Computer Science or Data Science and Engineering, along with at least 2 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, candidates may qualify with at least 6 years of extensive experience in related duties if they do not hold a degree. Strong proficiency in Python, a solid understanding of data engineering concepts, and hands-on experience with data platform tooling in cloud or airgapped environments are essential. Familiarity with DataOps principles and sound software development practices are also required.
Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Computer Science or Data Science and Engineering is required. The absence of a degree may be compensated by extensive relevant experience, demonstrating the necessary skills and knowledge for the role.
Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of related experience in data engineering or a similar field. Candidates with 6 years of extensive and progressive expertise in relevant duties may also be considered if they lack a formal degree. Experience in deploying and operating data platform tooling, as well as familiarity with DataOps practices, is crucial.
Languages:
A thorough knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is essential for this role. While English is mandatory, additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not specified as requirements.
Additional Notes:
The position offers a five-year contract with a competitive tax-free salary, household and children’s allowances, and privileges for expatriate staff, including education allowances and additional home leave. Employees will benefit from excellent private health insurance, generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays, and pension benefits under the NATO Pension Scheme. The NCI Agency is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and is an equal opportunity employer.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.
