5G Network Architect

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 – 2026-0076

Role Background

As part of the Multinational Collaboration of 5G (MN5G) Project, NCIA is providing subject matter expert support (SME) to the assessment of 5G/IMT technologies for military applications. A specific work package (WP) named ‘Awareness and Influence’ has been created by the MN5G Project Board to accommodate this task.

Therefore, this work is expected to contribute to the complete assessment of current 5G/6G technology trends, capability development activities and military use cases that are being developed by NATO bodies and nations.

Furthermore, as part of this WP, NCIA was tasked to develop common Next Generation Networks (NGN) architectures that will allow NATO to build robust 5G networks. This task will not only cover the networking aspects but also the security aspects that are essential to explore. The outcome of Secure Communications related tasks of this contract will be used by NATO Cyber and Digital Transformation (CDT) Division to inform pertinent policies and strategies.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• NGN Architecture Development
• 5G White Paper Development on the selected topics
• 5G Readiness Survey and Military Readiness Assessment Update
• Network Management and Cyber Defense (NMCD) Review
• Advanced IP Management Experimentation (OPTION).

Deliverables base period:

• D1- Project Kick-off and Requirements Analysis
  • Kick-off meeting minutes including the analysis of the project requirements and activities that shall be performed during the period of performance, an initial roadmap and review of milestones.
• D2- NGN Architecture Development Phase 1
  • Providing consultative support for industry to develop an NGN Comms Architecture Study. The Study shall deliver architecture views as follows (requirement analysis; architecture options summarised in a presentation material): 5G to data centre integration, Service oriented architecture, Mobile Edge Computing use-cases and network slicing, Utilising the NATO private 5G core in multiple exercises. This is an initial phase where architecture specificities and artefacts will be defined.
• D3- Network Management and Cyber Defense (NMCD) Review
  • Perform a review of NATO’s NMCD concept and standard document, contribute to the review cycle. Proposed NMCD standard includes solutions that are recommended and never tested, compile a comments database and provide consultative support to contribute to the review cycle.
• D4- NGN Architecture Development Phase 2
  • This phase shall deliver the results of the consulting support and the architecture artefacts that were developed. NGN architecture development work will be performed iteratively.
• D5- 5G White Paper Development
  • Development of a white paper that will examine one of the technical subjects to be provided during the contract execution.
  • Presentation of the white paper findings and results to NATO stakeholders e.g. CDT division.
• D6- 5G Readiness Assessment
  • Consultative support for NATO Cyber Digital and Transformation (CDT) to refresh the 5G Readiness Survey. Setting up an online survey facility (TBC) that will allow inputs collection. The survey results shall be used to update the relevant section of the "5G Military Readiness Study".
  • Post processing (i.e. extracting and summarizing survey results) or open-source analysis of survey questions. Updating relevant section of the "5G Military Readiness Study". Delivery of a presentation.
• D7- Final Reports submitted
  • All final reports and artefacts from the project deliverables shall be submitted.

Deliverables option period:

• D1- Network Management and Cyber Defense (NMCD) – Advanced IP Management Experiment Design
  • To assess scalability and implementation risk of the Model-driven DevOps normalized concept proposed in Network Management and Cyber Defence (NMCD), the Contractor shall design a controlled Pilot DevOps Testbed covering Day 0/1/2 lifecycle operations. Note: more information about NMCD concept will be provided by NCIA after the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is signed.
• D7- Network Management and Cyber Defense (NMCD) – Advanced IP Management Experiment Pilot
  • According to the design proposed in the previous optional deliverable. The Contractor shall deliver a pilot to cover the following:
    • Automated Model-Based Resource Discovery and device onboarding using a golden baseline configuration (Day 0);
    • Intent-Driven Service Deployment with Transactional Control (Day 1);
    • Scalable Model-Driven Telemetry Validation (Day 2).
    • Note: NCIA will facilitate the provision of pilot environment, if necessary.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Knowledge and experience in large and complex Communication and Information Systems (CIS) engineering and design, including International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) 5G networks, Communication Systems, Networks, Infrastructure, Virtualization, Cloud, Security, Monitoring and Control, Interoperability
• Experience and knowledge in system architecture and design.
• Experience in Enterprise and Capability architecture.
• Knowledge of SMC aspects, relevant frameworks and their implementation in large CIS networks.
• Experience with Military CIS systems.
• Experience in designing readiness assessments, surveys, maturity assessment models for technology adoption.
• Familiarity with CIS related international / commercial / industrial standards. Experience with deployable CIS systems (Military and/or Civilian).
• Experience in Service Design and Management.
• Knowledge of NATO political ambition and organizational structure.

Working Location

• Brussels, Belgium

Working Policy

• Offsite

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance