SATCOM Operations Engineer

Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations.

We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.

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

Overall, the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATO's communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATO’s 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 categorise's: 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 Background

The NCI Agency 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 The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is dedicated to acquiring, deploying, and defending communication systems for NATO’s 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 NCI Agency plays a crucial role in maintaining NATO’s technological edge and ensuring the collective defence and crisis management capabilities of the Alliance. In pursuit of our mission, we require specialized advisory services to enhance our interim workforce capacity.

NIMSC SATCOM Business Unit provides NATO and its Partners with scalable, protected, secure, reliable, and integrated SATCOM Services with focus on NATO Operations, Crisis Response, Missions, Exercises and Business Continuity. NIMSC SATCOM has Life-Cycle responsibility for SATCOM Capabilities and Services. NIMSC SATCOM offers Capabilities and Services that are designed, integrated and tested to operate based on Satellite Communication Technologies, accessible from any location on the Globe. NIMSC SATCOM operates the NATO Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Ground Stations in Kester (BEL), Lughezzano (ITA), Atalanti (GRC), Izmir (TUR), Eggemoen (NOR), Costa Da Caparica (PRT) and supports NISRF Sigonella, Catania (Italy )

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Service and Delivery Support

• Provide technical support for SATCOM services delivery, including customer request processing and mission planning.
• Monitor service performance, identify issues, and implement corrective actions to maintain service availability and quality.
• Work closely with NATO Enterprise Services and Operations Centre (ESOC), National Satellite Control Centres (NSCC), NATO anchor sites and field engineers to diagnose and resolve service disruptions.
• Assist in integrating SATCOM solutions with customer networks and IT infrastructure.

Customer & Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as a point of contact for customers, providing technical assistance and ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
• Collaborate with vendors, satellite operators, and engineering teams to address service issues and implement upgrades.
• Conduct training sessions and provide documentation to customers and internal teams.
• Provide technical support as a subject matter expert to NATO Project Managers and Service Delivery Managers.

System Optimization & Performance Analysis

• Analyse network traffic, link budgets, and signal quality to optimize satellite communication performance.
• Support the implementation of new technologies, software updates, and network expansions.
• Participate in system testing, validation, and commissioning of SATCOM HW and SW tools and solutions.
• Provide 2nd and 3rd level support to incident resolution.
• Pro-actively support the process and tool improvements.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, security policies, and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate records of service incidents, troubleshooting steps, and resolutions.
• Develop and update technical documentation, including user guides and troubleshooting manuals.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experience in satellite communications, RF engineering, link budget computation, analysis and network operations.
• Experience with satellite network management systems and monitoring tools
• Knowledge of SATCOM systems, including VSAT, modems, antennas, and ground stations.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Proficiency in networking protocols (TCP/IP, QoS, VPNs) and troubleshooting tools.
• Certifications such as GVF, CCNA, or ITIL.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards (ITU, MIL-STD, etc.).

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Language Proficiency

• Business English
• French is desirable

Working Location

• Mons, Belgium

Working Policy

• On-Site

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance

We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isn't for you please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.