Senior Network Engineer

Overview

This position is with Spektrum in support of NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) client work. The role sits within the Assistance and Advisory Service program and is focused on delivering senior-level network and IT/data management support for NATO CIS services and related architecture. The work is intended to help maintain secure, high-availability infrastructure and to support key client projects in a multinational defence environment.

The NCIA is NATO’s main provider of communications, command-and-control, cyber, satellite communications, electronic warfare, and information management services. In this role, you will contribute to the delivery, support, maintenance, and continuous improvement of those capabilities.

Key responsibilities

You will help provide advanced third-line technical support for NATO CIS services and IT/data management services, keeping services aligned with agreed availability targets. The role includes diagnosing faults through management systems and local or remote troubleshooting tools, overseeing routine infrastructure maintenance, and ensuring documentation stays current.

You will also assist with backup and restore validation, remote intervention where needed, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. The position covers support for incident, change, and release management, along with ongoing service reporting and performance tracking.

Reporting and service transparency are an important part of the job. You will be expected to help produce KPI evidence, dashboards for service health and availability, active incident visibility, performance trend reporting, and post-incident analysis with root cause and corrective actions. The role also includes identifying service improvements and following through on corrective and preventive actions.

Essential qualifications and experience

The role requires Cisco network expertise, including routing and switching, firewall/network security awareness, and the ability to configure and troubleshoot Cisco routers and switches. A CCNA certification or an equivalent qualification is required.

Hands-on experience is needed with network management and monitoring platforms such as HP OpenView, Netscout, Cisco Works, CA Spectrum, Splunk, or similar tools. You should also have practical knowledge of HP Network Automation or comparable orchestration tools.

Strong knowledge of OSPF and BGP is expected, including multi-area designs, BGP confederations, and route reflectors. Familiarity with EIGRP and IS-IS is also needed, along with practical understanding of QoS using IP DiffServ.

The position calls for experience with LAN technologies such as HSRP, STP, VLANs, DHCP snooping, ARP inspection, and port security, as well as network authentication and authorization technologies including Secure ACS 5.x, 802.1x, 802.1ae MACsec, RADIUS, and TACACS+.

You should be able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary, multinational team. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and professional communication are essential. A solid understanding of NATO command structures, organisational context, enterprise architecture, and DCIS services across OSI layers 1-7 is also required.

Desirable qualifications

Additional certifications that would be beneficial include CCNP Enterprise, Cisco Certified Technician Routing and Switching, and CompTIA Network+.

Language, location, travel, and security

Business English is required. The working location is Wiesbaden, Germany, and the policy is onsite. Some travel to other NATO locations may be necessary.

A valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance is required, and NATO Cosmic Top Secret clearance is expected to be obtained during the first year.

Additional information

Spektrum operates across several global locations and works with apex purchasers such as NATO, the UN, the EU, and national government and defence organisations, as well as their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem. The company provides specialist professional services, including aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise.

If this role is not the right fit, the organisation notes that candidates may still share their resume to be considered for future opportunities that match their background.