Principal TEMPEST Technician

Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations.  We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.

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 – C004992

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Organizes, leads, plans, directs, controls, and coordinates all work aspects related to the TEMPEST level testing program.
• Responsible for directing and guiding all installation, modification, certification and maintenance of the TEMPEST testing facility.
• Performs TEMPEST level testing to the SDIP 27 standards of COTS data processing equipment that will be used to process information classified NATO CONFIDENTIAL and above.
• Provides technical subject matter expertise to all aspects of TEMPEST Level testing.
• Executes tests and evaluates Electric Radiation (ER) signals for Compromising Emanations (CE) in order to allocate the appropriate SDIP 27 TEMPEST Level B or C rating.
• Performs investigation to detect CE, which may disclose classified information on communication and information system equipment.
• Performs acceptance testing of TEMPEST equipment certified by NATO authorized vendors to confirm that the equipment meets the SDIP 27 TEMPEST level rating allocated.
• Assures familiarization with the following SDIP's and Agency Directives (AD):
• SDIP 27 "NATO TEMPEST Requirements and Evaluation Procedures" • SDIP 28 "NATO Zoning Procedures"
• SDIP 29 "Selection and Installation of Equipment for the processing of classified information"
• AD 08.05 "Equipment Level TEMPEST testing"
• AD 08.06 "COMSEC TEMPEST Protection when processing NATO classified information" - Direct exchange of technical TEMPEST related topics with the NATO Cyber Security Centre.
• Manages assigned technical tasks efficiently to ensure that they can be executed in line with set target dates.
• Explains and provides system technical and logistical advice to senior management and initiates necessary actions to ensure that set maintenance and project targets are met.
• Creates test plans and methods to optimize testing configurations to perform analysis.
• Able to absorb and apply new information and demonstrate a systematic approach to problem solving.
• Develop new measurement techniques for testing latest COTS equipment.
• Responsible that the TEMPEST cell test equipment is operational, calibrated and capable to perform measurements and for keeping TEMPEST cell documentation up-to-date and stored as defined in the relevant directives.
• Manages adequacy of turnaround time for equipment delivered for TEMPEST testing.
• Assists in the scheduling and tracking capability of CSSC activities in support of operations, exercises, projects static CIS and Deployable CIS (DCIS).
• Assists in the directing, supervising, planning, coordinating, monitoring and reporting upon all technical work and ensures that all technical work is performed in line with Agency's, industrial and/or military standards.
• Establishes and performs quality control inspections within the TEMPEST sub-section.
• Provides recommendations for replacement and/or additional equipment required to execute technical tasks assigned.
• Investigates the possibility for new equipment, methods and training for submission to the Section Head EMTS.
• Responsible for reporting TEMPEST results and updates a standalone database of TEMPEST test certificates and measurement results.
• Demonstrate work related functions within area of expertise; provide familiarization to less experienced technicians.
• Deputize for higher-grade staff, if required. - Performs other duties as may be required.
• Represents the CSSC in NATO TEMPEST Symposium, Steering Groups/Boards and Conferences and liaises with other NCI Agency entities and customers as required with authority to commit CSSC resources as directed.
• Performs mandatory electrical safety inspection for compliance.

Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• Higher vocational training in a relevant discipline with 3 years postrelated experience. Or a secondary educational qualification with 5 years post-related experience.
• Must have experience within the profile of computer science or information technology.
• Ability to analyses unusual maintenance problems.
• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of the following related topics:
• SDIP 27 "NATO TEMPEST Requirements and Evaluation Procedures" ;
• Spectrum analysis;
• Radio Frequency (RF) and modulation measurement techniques;
• Electromagnetic antenna theory;
• Antenna and wave propagation;
• Understanding IP basics of Local and Wide Area Networking;
• Proficient in the use of general and standard test, measurement and diagnostic equipment and the procedures for testing to specifications;
• Networking & Cyber Security: Configuration of local area networks (LAN), routing, and foundational security systems.
• Basic knowledge of the following related topics:
• Working knowledge of ISO-IEC 17025 and other international standards and procedures;
• Background in CIS support and/or maintenance with a good understanding of CIS systems;
• Experience in database usage and structures, manipulation of database data with SQL;
• Theory knowledge of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) laboratory measurements.
• Training/Certifications:
• Trained with certification in the specialization of TEMPEST
• Testing of CIS equipment or equivalent.

Working Location

• Brunssum, Netherlands

Working Policy

• On-site
• Shift work is required to support key projects

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance

We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isn't for you, please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.