Principal Technician (Digital Infrastructure)

NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE); Mikkeli; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NCIA (NATO Communications and Information Agency) seeks a Principal Technician (Digital Infrastructure) to build and sustain secure server, storage, and data‑centre services for Mikkeli. You will provision, configure and maintain infrastructure across networks, and deliver principal‑level support for Windows, AD, VMware, VDI, backup and storage services.

You will diagnose faults, monitor performance and security events, automate routine tasks, mentor technicians, and help ensure secure, scalable

Qualifications

• 3+ years post‑related experience with technical discipline or 5+ years with secondary qualification
• Experience implementing and managing servers, storage, data centres or cloud services
• System administrator experience in a Microsoft Windows environment
• Knowledge of VMware virtualization products, VDI and troubleshooting
• Familiarity with Veeam Backup, HPE storage and VMware vSAN
• Scripting ability to automate administration with PowerShell/PowerCLI
• Proficiency in NATO language at least one; extra language a plus

Responsibilities

• Provision, configure and maintain server, storage, virtualization and supporting infrastructure services
• Administer Windows Server, AD, DNS/DHCP and related services across networks
• Configure and troubleshoot VMware vSphere, Horizon, vMotion, VDI and related platforms
• Administer backup, recovery and secure storage services (Veeam, HPE 3PAR/Alletra, vSAN)
• Monitor performance and security events; resolve operational issues
• Automate routine administration using PowerShell/PowerCLI
• Provide guidance and training; contribute to data‑centre improvement and scalability

Skills

Customer focus

Autonomy

Cross‑boundaries collaboration

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

Higher vocational training in a relevant technical discipline

Secondary educational qualification with 5 years of post‑related experience

Tools

Microsoft Windows Server

Active Directory

Group Policy

DNS/DHCP

VMware vSphere

VMware Horizon

VMware vSAN

Veeam Backup and Replication

PowerShell/PowerCLI

HPE storage

Job description

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

NATO Body

NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

16-Nov-2026, 10:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

Grade NATO Grade G12

Description

NCIA exists for one reason: to ensure the Alliance can communicate securely and reliably, whether in critical political consultations or during complex military operations. We are a key enabler of NATO's core mission to keep one billion people safe.

Our technology and cyber experts power NATO's digital capabilities, from data-driven decision-making and secure networks to resilient operations and mission execution across land, air, sea, cyber and space domains.

This mission is made possible by our people. We are a team of around 3,500 civilian and military staff working across 30 locations throughout Europe and North America.

To meet growing operational demand, the Directorate of CIS Support Units (DCSU) is expanding its presence across a number of locations. DCSU manages, delivers and maintains communications and information systems products and services for NATO customers.

Through its CIS Support Units and local CIS Support Elements, DCSU provides the vital connection between customers and NCIA's wider service-delivery organisation.

At the heart of DCSU are the people working closest to NATO's operational customers. As part of a CIS Support Unit, you will be on the frontline of CIS support and a direct point of contact for operational partners. Working with users, you will understand requirements, resolve issues, coordinate the right expertise and deliver reliable outcomes where and when they are needed.

These roles are hands‑on, customer‑focused and mission‑driven. If you want to work close to the mission, solve real‑world problems and see the direct impact of your contribution, join us and help keep NATO connected, secure and ready to operate.

About the Role

As Principal Technician (Digital Infrastructure), you will help establish and sustain the secure server, storage, virtualisation and data‑centre services supporting MCLCC staff in Mikkeli. You will provision, configure and maintain infrastructure across multiple networks and provide principal‑level technical support for Microsoft Windows, Active Directory, VMware platforms, VDI, backup and storage services. Working with local users, CSU Stavanger, service centres and remote technical teams, you will diagnose faults, monitor performance and security events, automate routine administration and support resilient service delivery. You will also guide technicians, contribute to improvement plans and help ensure that the local infrastructure remains secure, scalable and reliable.

What You Will Do

Provision, configure and maintain server, storage, virtualisation and supporting infrastructure services.

Administer Microsoft Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP and associated services across multiple networks.

Configure and troubleshoot VMware vSphere, Horizon, vMotion, VDI and related virtualisation platforms.

Administer backup, recovery and secure storage services, including Veeam, HPE 3PAR, HPE Alletra and VMware vSAN.

Monitor infrastructure load, performance and security events, and identify and resolve operational issues.

Carry out backup, restore, system‑software maintenance and preventative‑maintenance activities.

Automate routine system‑administration activity using PowerShell, PowerCLI or other approved standard tools.

Provide technical guidance and on‑the‑job training, and contribute to data‑centre improvement and scalability plans.

How You Will Contribute

Everything starts with the customer and the user. In this role, you will be expected to understand customer needs, maintain direct engagement and take ownership for delivering reliable outcomes.

You will work collaboratively across organisational, professional and national boundaries, connecting customers with the right expertise and contributing to shared success across NCIA and the wider NATO Enterprise.

You will also be expected to act with appropriate pace and sound judgement, address obstacles and improve delivery through insight gained from customers, users and operations.

What We Are Looking For

A strong focus on customer and user needs

Ownership, initiative and accountability

Sound judgement and practical problem‑solving

Effective collaboration across organisational and professional boundaries

The ability to work productively with autonomy

Adaptability in a developing operational environment

A commitment to delivering results and improving services

Essential Education and Experience

Higher vocational training in a relevant technical discipline with 3 years of post‑related experience, or a secondary educational qualification with 5 years of post‑related experience.

At least 3 years of experience implementing and managing servers, storage systems, data centres or cloud services.

Experience as a system administrator, predominantly in a Microsoft Windows environment.

Working knowledge of Microsoft server services, Veeam Backup and Replication, thin‑client and office‑product environments.

Knowledge of VMware virtualisation products, VDI and associated troubleshooting.

Knowledge of HPE storage technologies and VMware vSAN.

Scripting knowledge sufficient to automate system‑administration processes using PowerShell or PowerCLI.

A thorough knowledge of one NATO language, both written and spoken; some knowledge of the other is desirable.

Desirable Education and Experience

Experience in an international environment comprising military and civilian elements.

Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organisation, including ACO and ACT.

ITIL Foundation certification.

PRINCE2 certification.

Important Information Before Applying

This post forms part of NCIA's expansion into a new or developing duty location.

In established NCIA duty locations, CPO normally provides practical onboarding guidance on host‑nation administration. For this new or developing duty location, such guidance may not yet be available at the time of recruitment, selection or onboarding.

Candidates should be prepared to operate in a developing location environment where some practical arrangements may need to be clarified after appointment or arrival.

Some local operational, administrative and support arrangements may continue to evolve during the recruitment and onboarding process. The role may therefore require a high degree of autonomy and different support arrangements from those available at an established NCIA campus.

Candidates should not make assumptions about benefits, allowances, relocation support or other location‑specific entitlements. Information about applicable conditions will be provided only when formally confirmed.

Any selection or appointment will remain subject to the required organisational approvals, establishment and funding arrangements, host‑nation or administrative conditions, security requirements and other applicable appointment procedures.

Progression through the recruitment process does not constitute a firm offer of appointment.

NCIA will provide candidates with updated information as the recruitment process and arrangements for the duty location progress.