AI Engineer

Spektrum; Den Haag; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Spektrum is seeking an AI Engineer to design, build, and maintain AI/ML components and pipelines for mission-critical NATO NCIA projects. You will work at the intersection of applied machine learning, software engineering, and MLOps, delivering secure, well-documented AI solutions.

The role requires strong hands-on programming, deep ML knowledge, and experience with production-grade AI backends in secure environments. On-site work in The Hague with potential travel may be involved.

Qualifications

• End-to-end AI/ML pipelines: training, packaging, monitoring, lifecycle management.
• Hands-on programming and applied AI development experience.
• Solid understanding of ML concepts, model evaluation, and performance.
• Experience with pre-trained models, LLMs, and Generative AI.
• Experience with RAG, embeddings, vector databases, and production-grade AI backends.
• MLOps/AIOps: version control, CI/CD, automation, build/release workflows.
• REST APIs and backend services (FastAPI, Pydantic).
• Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, cloud infra and orchestration tools (Airflow, Argo).
• Guardrails, observability, and monitoring for LLM-based systems.
• SQL and NoSQL databases.
• TypeScript/Node.js/Next.js (nice to have).
• Air-gapped environments experience.

Responsibilities

• Apply machine learning and data science techniques to new problems and datasets, evaluating model outcomes, performance, and data quality
• Identify issues in ML systems, models, pipelines, and datasets, implementing practical improvements
• Design, develop, test, document, refactor, and maintain moderately complex programs, scripts, and AI/ML components
• Apply agreed engineering standards, tools, and secure development practices
• Support AI/software lifecycle engineering, including requirements elicitation and automation for development, testing, release, deployment, and monitoring
• Define AI modules for integration builds and validate against functional, quality, security, and performance criteria
• Build, maintain, and improve data pipelines using ETL/ELT processes
• Monitor progress, report status, and communicate risks or blockers
• Contribute to technology assessments, roadmaps, and knowledge sharing

Skills

AI/ML pipelines

Programming

ML concepts

LLMs / Generative AI

MLOps

REST APIs

Secure environments

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD

LangChain

LlamaIndex

Pydantic AI

FastAPI

Job description

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 ID – C005309

Role Background

NATO NCIA AI Engineer to design, build, and maintain AI/ML components and pipelines supporting mission-critical systems. This role sits at the intersection of applied machine learning, software engineering, and MLOps, covering everything from model evaluation and data pipeline development to production-grade LLM/AI agent deployment. The successful candidate will work within secure, structured engineering practices to deliver reliable, well-documented, and maintainable AI solutions.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Apply machine learning and data science techniques to new problems and datasets, evaluating model outcomes, performance, and data quality
• Identify issues in ML systems, models, pipelines, and datasets, implementing practical improvements
• Design, develop, test, document, refactor, and maintain moderately complex programs, scripts, and AI/ML components
• Apply agreed engineering standards, tools, and secure development practices
• Support AI/software lifecycle engineering, including requirements elicitation and automation for development, testing, release, deployment, and monitoring
• Define AI modules for integration builds and validate against functional, quality, security, and performance criteria
• Build, maintain, and improve data pipelines using ETL/ELT processes
• Monitor progress, report status, and communicate risks or blockers
• Contribute to technology assessments, roadmaps, and knowledge sharing

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Experience developing, optimising, deploying, and maintaining end-to-end AI/ML pipelines (training, packaging, monitoring, lifecycle management)
• Strong hands-on programming, machine learning, and applied AI development experience
• Solid understanding of ML concepts, model evaluation, and performance measurement
• Experience applying pre-trained/foundation models, LLMs, and Generative AI to practical use cases
• Experience with RAG, embeddings, vector databases, and production-grade AI agent backends (LangChain, LlamaIndex, Pydantic AI, or similar)
• Strong MLOps/AIOps experience: version control, CI/CD, automation, build/release workflows
• Experience developing REST APIs and backend services (FastAPI, Pydantic, or similar)
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, cloud infrastructure, and orchestration tools (Airflow, Argo)
• Experience implementing guardrails, observability, and monitoring for LLM-based systems
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases
• Experience with TypeScript, Node.js, or Next.js (nice to have)
• Experience working in secure, restricted, or air-gapped environments

Working Location

• The Hague, Netherlands

Working Policy

• Full-Time On-Site

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance