Operations and Exercises Network Engineer (Grazzanise)

RFQ C004861 Operations and Exercises Network Engineer (Mons)

Duties

• Provide advanced Level 3 support for complex enterprise network environments.
• Lead the technical resolution of high-impact and high-severity incidents.
• Perform in-depth analysis of recurring issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Identify opportunities for service optimization and operational improvements, and drive their implementation.
• Contribute to the design, planning, and implementation of network enhancements and new projects.
• Ensure technical correctness, operational readiness, and minimal service impact during changes and deployments.
• Validate and support network changes in line with governance and change management processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, external partners, and service stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and contribute to knowledge sharing within the team.
• Ensure that, on Routing and Switching elements, remote routine maintenance throughout NATO sites is performed
• Coordinate with sites for Routing and Switching elements centralisation, standardisation and best practices
• Liaise and collaborate internally throughout the NCI Agency Service Line infrastructures and to external organisations for fault rectification activities
• Being responsible for the creation and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures
• Coordinates and performs routing infrastructures design, configuration and maintenance activities for all appointed NATO exercise scenarios and Operations
• Performing the practical evaluation of management tools and capabilities
• Ensure a common understanding of the available toolsets and method of utilization within the centralised and distributed user base
• Investigating and proposing long term solutions to encountered equipment and configuration problems
• When required, coordinates on-site surveys, validations and system acceptance testing into the Routing infrastructure.

Requirement

• A minimum requirement of a Bachelor's degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 2 years post-related experience.
• Alternatively, exceptionally, the lack of a university degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate's particular abilities or experience that is/are of interest to NCI Agency, that is, at least 8 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post.
• At least 8 years' progressive experience in complex network engineering roles.
• Design, implementation and support scalable enterprise network infrastructures leveraging BGP, MPLS, IPv6, OSPF, IS-IS, IP multicast, Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN). Active CCNP (Enterprise, Service Provider) certification is required.
• Deep knowledge of BGP, including route reflectors, confederations, communities, path manipulation, and filtering (iBGP, eBGP, policy control).
• Proficient in QoS design, shaping, policing, and classification techniques for converged networks.
• Extensive experience in fine-tuning QoS policies to support mission-critical applications and voice services.
• Knowledge of QoS configuration and traffic classification models (CBWFQ, LLQ and WRED).
• Proven expertise in IPv6 implementation, troubleshooting and dual-stack environments with a strong focus on IPv6 adoption and transition strategies.
• Deep knowledge and experience with: policy-based routing, route aggregation and summarization, redistribution, VRF, MPLS traffic engineering.
• In-depth knowledge of multicast protocols (PIM sparse/dense mode, IGMP, MSDP, Anycast RP) and their use in real-world deployments.
• Configuration and troubleshooting of multicast protocols.
• Proficient in datacenter and switching technologies (STP, MSTP, RapidPVST, EtherChannel, LACP, Virtual Stack, StackWise, Cisco Nexus NX-OS, Spine-Leaf Architecture, VXLAN).
• Strong troubleshooting skills with tools like Wireshark, NetFlow and SNMP.
• Knowledge of network monitoring concepts.
• Hands-on experience with SD-WAN technologies.
• Familiarity with DevNet, API integrations, and network programmability.
• Knowledge of network security best practices (ACLs, firewalls, VPNs, IPSec, AAA, Role Based Access Control, Public Key Infrastructure, security-hardening concepts).
• Proficient in network automation and scripting (Python, Ansible, Terraform).
• A minimum of 2 years' experience with the configuration and operation of HP Network Automation or equivalent network automation and orchestration systems.
• A minimum of 4 years' experience with the configuration and operation of Network Monitoring and Event Management systems ideally CA Spectrum,
• Proven experience in the use of an Incident Management System such as BMC Remedy A high level of knowledge of network, system and application-level troubleshooting techniques.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of command-and-control systems.
• Extensive technical management expertise in C2 management
• Broad knowledge of C2 systems and software maintenance procedures
• Experience in Site and Systems Evaluation and Inspection
• Experience of preparing test plans, technical documentation and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Autonomous, problem-solver and drives towards results
• Experience in configuration management practices and tools
• Knowledge of ITIL IT service management model.
• Experience and applied knowledge of Service Transition
• Required Security Clearance: NATO Secret

Preferences

• Active CCIE (R&S, Enterprise Infrastructure or Service Provider) certification is desirable.
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements
• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities, structure and organization, including ACO and ACT.