Principal Solution Engineer

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 within the NATO Alliance, which serves nearly one billion citizens. The agency comprises a diverse team of approximately 3000 civilian and military personnel, strategically located across 29 sites in Europe, North America, and Asia. The NCI Agency plays a crucial role in enabling NATO's operations through advanced technology and cyber capabilities, ensuring the security of NATO networks and airspace, and maintaining superiority in space. The organization is committed to hiring, training, and retaining top talent to sustain its technological edge, reflecting the diversity and unity of the Alliance in its workforce.

Job Overview:
As a Principal Solution Engineer based in The Hague, Netherlands, you will be integral to the NCI Agency's mission to transform IT services in support of NATO's Digital Endeavour. You will work within the Air Command and Control (AirC2) Business Area, which is responsible for the planning, development, procurement, implementation, and support of NATO-authorized AirC2 capabilities. This role is pivotal in ensuring the coherence, integrity, and interoperability of NATO and national systems, contributing to NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence operations. You will be tasked with delivering integrated products essential for NATO's 24/7 air defense missions, ensuring comprehensive life-cycle support for critical systems, including incident management, exercise support, data management, training, and sensor tuning. Your expertise will be vital in the Product Development and Maintenance Area, focusing on the development, deployment, maintenance, and support of NATO's integrated air command and control systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal Solution Engineer will be responsible for a variety of critical tasks, including but not limited to:

• Leading and managing a team of engineers to ensure effective delivery of AirC2 system products.
• Defining and managing requirements for system development and integration.
• Overseeing systems development management to ensure alignment with NATO's operational needs.
• Designing and implementing network solutions that support AirC2 capabilities.
• Managing technical contracts related to system development and maintenance.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful deployment of integrated air command and control systems.
• Providing expert guidance on system/software architectures, deployment infrastructure, and network concepts.
• Ensuring compliance with NATO standards and protocols throughout the system life cycle.
• Engaging in incident management and providing support during exercises to validate system performance. 1
• Contributing to training programs and sensor tuning activities to enhance operational readiness.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Master's degree from a nationally recognized or certified university in a relevant discipline, accompanied by at least 5 years of post-related experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience is acceptable. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proven leadership and management skills, particularly in overseeing teams of engineers. A strong background in managing system/software engineering activities on large, mission-critical software-intensive systems is essential. Candidates should also have a comprehensive understanding of system/software architectures, operating systems, deployment infrastructure, and network concepts, as well as familiarity with system/software engineering methods, techniques, metrics, and tools.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a Master's degree in a relevant field from a recognized institution, which is the minimum qualification. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree must have additional years of experience to meet the qualifications. The educational background should ideally encompass disciplines related to engineering, computer science, or information technology, providing a solid foundation for the technical demands of the role.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience, specifically a minimum of 5 years for candidates with a Master's degree or 8 years for those with a Bachelor's degree. This experience should include leadership roles in managing teams of engineers and practical involvement in system/software engineering activities, particularly on large-scale, mission-critical systems. Candidates should have a track record of successfully managing complex projects and demonstrating expertise in system/software development, maintenance, integration, and deployment.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of NATO. Additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly those relevant to NATO member countries, enhancing communication and collaboration within the diverse international environment of the organization.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a 5-year contract with a competitive tax-free salary, along with allowances for household and children where applicable. Expatriate staff will benefit from privileges such as expatriation and education allowances, as well as additional home leave. The role includes excellent private health insurance and generous annual leave of 30 days, in addition to official holidays. Employees will also be part of the NATO Pension Scheme and have access to various development programs, including professional training and wellbeing initiatives. The NCI Agency is committed to being an equal opportunity employer, fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in all forms.