Principal Technician (ICT System)

NATO; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Expatriation allowances

Private health insurance

30 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Professional training

Job summary

NATO, Brunssum, Netherlands, seeks a Principal Technician (ICT System) to support CSSC in supplying and maintaining ICT hardware and services across NATO operations, exercises and training. The role focuses on network and system engineering, software deployment, and incident response in a high-security environment.

The position is a 5-year contract with competitive tax-free salary, expatriation allowances and extensive development programs. Fluency in English is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years implementing and maintaining ICT end systems in a large organization.
• CCNA or MCSE or equivalent certification required.
• Advanced knowledge of LAN/WAN technologies, TCP/IP and standards.
• Advanced knowledge of AD implementations, virtualization and hyper-converged solutions.
• Fluent English in writing and speaking.

Responsibilities

• Design, baselining, verifying and documenting moderately complex software configurations for deployment.
• Apply standards, techniques and tools to achieve well-engineered results.
• Monitor operational systems for resource usage and failure rates to inform tuning.
• Install, configure and test new versions of system software.
• Record details of installed components and assist users as needed.

Skills

LAN/WAN technologies

Network security

Network monitoring

Troubleshooting

Fluent English

Education

Higher vocational training in Engineering or related field

5 years post-related experience

Tools

CCNA or MCSE

Network management tools

Job description

Who we are

For more than 70 years, NATO's mission has been to preserve peace and security in the Alliance for nearly one billion citizens. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and its predecessors have worked tirelessly in providing the means that enable the connectedness and togetherness that keep our Alliance strong. We are the NCIA, a team of 3000 civilian and military staff in 29 locations throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

Our technology and cyber experts allow NATO to conduct critical operations, protect NATO's airspace, make data-driven decisions, defend against cyber-attacks, secure NATO networks and maintain superiority in space. This is all possible because of our greatest force, our people. In order to keep this edge we aim to hire, train and retain the very best staff.

Our staff members represent both the diversity and unity of our Alliance. When you join the NCIA, you will be part of an organization where you can contribute authentically to the mission and purpose of NATO and help us keep our technological edge.

About the job

Based in Brunssum, The Netherlands, you will join the Agency as we embark on a journey to transform our IT services to support NATO's Digital Endeavour. You will join CSSC, which provides effective static and deployable Information Communications Technology (ICT) system repair and maintenance as well as ICT Hardware Asset Management (AM) services in support of NATO operations, exercises and training. As the Central Warehouse for ICT Hardware within NATO, CSSC is responsible for the supply activities associated with stock management, procurement, delivery, receipt and through life management of all ICT hardware items. CSSC personnel are located within the central hub in Brunssum as well as the three Forward Support Points at Bydgoszcz, Grazzanise and Wesel.

We are looking for a driven and enthusiastic Principal Technician (ICT System) who will take on the following roles and responsibilities:

• Assists in designing, baselining, verifying, documenting, amending and refactoring moderately complex software configurations for deployment.
• Applies agreed standards, techniques, and tools, to achieve a well-engineered result.
• Collaborates in reviews of work with others as appropriate.
• Monitors operational systems for resource usage and failure rates, to inform and facilitate system software tuning.
• Applies system software parameters to maximise throughput and efficiency.
• Installs, configures, and tests new versions of system software.
• Contributes to preparation of software implementation procedures with fall back contingency plans.
• Carries out agreed network maintenance tasks and specified operational configuration of network components.
• Establish and diagnose network problems/faults using the required troubleshooting methodology and tools.
• Uses network management software and tools to collect agreed performance and traffic statistics.
• Installs or removes hardware and/or software, using supplied installation instructions and tools, including handover to the client.
• Uses standard procedures and diagnostic tools to test installations, correct problems, and document results.
• Records details of all components that have been installed and removed.
• Assists users and follows agreed procedures for further help or escalation.
• Contributes to the development of installation procedures and standards.
• Uses approved tools and techniques for specific deployment activities.
• Administers the recording of activities, logging of results and documents technical activities undertaken.

About you

The valuable knowledge and experience that you bring to this role are:

• Higher vocational training in Project Management, Telecommunications, Electronics, Engineering or a relevant discipline with minimum 3 years post-related experience, or secondary educational qualifications with 5 years post-related experience;
• At least 3 years practical experience of implementation and maintenance of ICT end systems within a large organization.
• Either Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) or higher, industry or military equivalent; or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Industry, National or Military equivalent;
• Advanced knowledge of Local Area Networks (LAN) / Wide Area Networks (WAN) technologies, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP) and standards; or advanced understanding of server and client technologies. Microsoft Active Directory implementations and deployments, virtualisation technologies and hyper converged solutions;
• Advanced knowledge of endpoint security solutions, data loss prevention (DLP) and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IPS/IDS);
• Advanced understanding and experience with network monitoring and analysis tools;
• Advanced understanding and experience with network security and related appliances;
• Advanced understanding and experience with fibre based structured cabling, and fibre optic modems, line drivers, and media convertors;
• Good Working knowledge of system network troubleshooting techniques utilised with complex and diverse test equipment and software tools;
• Good working knowledge of cryptographic services and Data-At-Rest (DAR) encryption solutions;
• Practical experience of power cabling and associated sub-systems, grounding and bonding, copper based structured cabling;
• Practical experience of hardware installations and third line maintenance of communication systems;
• Valid Driver License;
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

What we offer

• Genuinely meaningful work as part of the most successful alliance in history;
• 5 year contract with competitive tax-free salary and household and children's allowances;
• Privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and education allowances (where appropriate) and additional home leave;
• Excellent private health insurance scheme;
• Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays;
• NATO Pension Scheme;
• Development programs such as professional training, wellbeing, and more.