Space Backend Development

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 – 2024-0134

Role Background

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) located in The Hague, Netherlands, is currently involved in the development and support of new and existing capabilities for NATO. In light of these activities and in response to the NATO Overarching Space Policy as well as the declaration of Space as an Operational Domain, NATO has organised itself to keep pace with the evolving needs of the Alliance. Within NCIA Chief Technology Officer, the Space Technology Adoption and Resilience (STAR) team, will enable the exploitation of Space technology for NATO’s defence and deterrence, ensuring NATO’s technological edge for secure, resilient and effective employment of Space technologies for the Alliance. STAR will develop and execute a technology strategy and associated roadmap for Space (CTO) and coordinate Space business delivery from within the NCIA Business Areas (COO). The STAR Team will provide technical expertise and strategic advice on Space for the benefit of the Alliance, design Space-based future services and foster their resilient integration into Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). In line with strategic guidance and Space policy, the new STAR Team will provide the Alliance with technical expertise and. strategic advice on Space, ensuring NCIA continues to provide applicable products, services and operational capability, taking resiliency from inception in line with the new NATO Strategic Concept.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

WP1 - Backend assessment

• Report on the current state of the backend and suggested improvements.

WP2 - Static tables & deployment

• Implement static information tables that can be used to customize the frontend. These are tables that for example list all NATO members, tables that list NATO partner nations, etc.
• Deployment methodology of the dashboard application to relevant NATO cloud architecture is to be evaluated and improved where possible.

WP3 - UDL API

• Design and integrate a customizable implementation of the client side API of the UDL (Unified Data Library) to store relevant information from the UDL in the backend database. The implementation shall perform database updates triggered by timers, events or user requests.

WP4 - Conjunction, manoeuvre and re-entry views

• Implement conjunction analysis, manoeuvre detection and re-entry prediction using existing refined data available from APIs. The data is provided in a read-made state by an upstream API. Focus is on proper retrieval and storage of the data such that the front-end can provide visual overviews.

WP5 - Report Generation

• Working together with frontend development, implement a key data summary report generator. The report content and format will be designed in conjunction with stakeholders identified by STAR Head or delegated authority. The frontend shall offer a download button for the report as generated by the backend.

WP6 - STK Integration

• Implement an interface with the STK software as a calculation backend. STK offers an API through which data can be provided and calculations requested. This backend will be used for processing of measurement data, or to generate more complex data products as required by stakeholders.

WP7 - Conjunction Analysis

• Implement conjunction analysis using the backend of WP06. Visualisation components from WP04 can also be re-used. The calculation methodology shall be determined in cooperation with stakeholders and shall be configurable.

WP8 - Manoeuvre Detection

• Implement manoeuvre detection using the backend of WP06. Visualisation components from WP04 can also be re-used. The calculation methodology shall be determined in cooperation with stakeholders and shall be configurable.

WP9 - Re-entry prediction

• Implement re-entry prediction using the backend of WP06. Visualisation components from WP04 can also be re-used. The calculation methodology shall be determined in cooperation with stakeholders and shall be configurable.

WP10 - SATRAN Report Generator

• Implement a SATRAN (Satellite Transit) report generator using the WP06 backend, working together with existing and future frontend development. The SATRAN report generator shall ingest location data and a catalogue of satellites with associated capabilities and sensor information and produce a transit report for requested capabilities at a certain location, e.g. operational SAR satellites operated by a certain actor that pass over the area of interest.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Excellent knowledge of the Python programming language.
• Experience in Kubernetes/K8s.
• 2-year experience as back-end developer.
• Experience in designing applications.
• Experience in automating processes.
• Knowledge of database systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB.
• Understanding of version control systems like Git.
• Experience in database administration.
• Experience with working in a closed environment.
• Experience with Python frameworks such as Django, Flask, or FastAPI.
• Experience in writing unit tests using frameworks like unittest or pytest.
• Ability to work with APIs and web services.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical issues efficiently.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively as part of a team and contribute to a positive work environment.
• Able to receive and execute tasking in accordance with direction from NCI Agency engineers/scientists.
• Ability to plan and execute assigned project tasks taking into account policies, programme goals, and priorities, funding and other planning constraints.
• Strong listening and communication skills in English.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of ESRI applications.
• Knowledge of JavaScript, HTML and CSS.
• Experience with PowerShell scripts automation.
• Proficiency in SharePoint Server, SharePoint Online, and SharePoint Framework (SPFx).
• Knowledge of SharePoint APIs, SharePoint Designer, and SharePoint Services.
• Knowledge of SharePoint workflow automation using Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow) and SharePoint Designer workflows.
• Knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel (including development of macros), MS PowerPoint, MS Visio, PowerBI.
• Knowledge of basic front-end concepts and languages (e.g., REACT).
• Cloud Platforms: Experience with deploying Python applications on cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• DevOps: Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, containerization (e.g., Docker), and automated deployment.
• Agile Methodology: Experience working in Agile/Scrum development environments.
• Data Science: Understanding of data analysis and machine learning concepts using Python.
• Python Libraries: Familiarity with popular Python libraries and tools like NumPy, Pandas, Requests, and SQLAlchemy.
• Full stack developer.
• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization.
• Knowledge of NATO Functional Area Services.
• Knowledge of NATO Communication and Information Systems Infrastructure.
• Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.

Education

• Nationally recognized/certified university qualification on computer science / programming, or 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 3 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post.

Working Location

• The Hague, Netherlands

Working Policy

• On-Site

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.