Description:
This is a position within the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency), an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The NCI Agency is made up of teams of dedicated people from 29 different nations who are experts in their chosen fields. Our collective role is to help protect the lives of 1 billion people and contribute to maintaining world peace.
The Directorate Air and Missile Defence Command & Control (AMDC2) ensures the harmonized planning, implementation, deployment evolution and support of the Air Command and Control System (ACCS) and other Air Command & Control (AirC2) and Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) assigned programs, in a way that satisfies the operational requirements and minimizes the military risk, taking into account the NATO political, economic and schedule requirements and using the most suitable industrial and technological solutions. The Directorate AMDC2 is the procurement and implementation body of the NCI Agency, charged with the effective planning, execution, delivery into Service, evolution and through-life logistic support of NATO’s AirC2/ BMD systems and assigned national AirC2 systems.
The Mission Assurance Branch (MAB) defines, establishes and maintains a mission assurance framework, in line with the NCI Agency’s policy and directives, in order to provide quality and safety assurance, CIS security services, configuration management, test, validation and verification of AMDC2 systems or appliances under procurement or support. MAB independently ensures that the capabilities delivered by the Directorate AMDC2 to the operational user are safe and secure to use and fulfil their functional and non-functional requirements.
The Verification and Validation Section (VVS) plans and executes verification and validation related activities as part of in-house development/maintenance which includes the provision of test directors and test operators. Head VVS (H-VVS) is responsible for the efficient and effective management of the operations of the Section, as well as, the methods and tools involved. In the role of Principal Test Engineer, the incumbent ensures the appropriate definition, maintenance and performance of the verification and validation process. This encompasses the related strategies, concepts and plans and the monitoring of their implementation and execution.
We are looking for a talented Principal Test Engineer
Role Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Chief MAB, you will perform duties such as the following:
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Leads the VVS and acts as line manager for all personnel in VVS;
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Performs resource management for human resources in the section, laboratories and equipment entrusted to VVS;
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Transforms Agency validation and verification guidance and directives into local test strategies and working concepts;
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Ensures consistent application of defined test methods, tools and procedures throughout all projects and products;
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Contributes to implementation projects by providing validation and verification related planning input to the Project Managers (PMs);
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Monitors the evaluation of user change requests (formulated through Engineering Change Proposals, User Requests or other relevant documents) to ensure that validation and verification aspects are appropriately covered;
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Monitors the correct verification and validation of specified system updates through reviewing product and project artefacts and attending technical reviews, walkthroughs, tests and audits;
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Based on the results of validation and verification activities, advises of the readiness for delivery of changed systems/software;
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Observes the progress of ongoing projects to ensure that the validation and verification related objectives are honoured;
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Advises the PMs on validation and verification related risk management, implementation and planning issues;
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Ensures that appropriate supporting tools are selected, procured and used to sustain an efficient and effective work environment;
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Contributes to the planning and expenditure of the internal CIS budget;
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Establishes, maintains, monitors and improves the relevant internal working concepts and procedures in co-ordination with the Quality and Safety Assurance Section;
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Perform other duties as required.
Person Specification
We are looking for candidates with a Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree at a nationally recognized/certified university in a related discipline (e.g. Quality Management) exceptionally, the lack of a university/college degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate’s particular abilities or experience that is of interest to NCI Agency; which is 15 years of experience that includes extensive and progressive expertise in the duties related to the function of the post or progressive managerial experience in fields directly related to the function of the post.
Experience Required
In addition to 8 years of experience (Master’s Degree) or 10 years of experience (Bachelor’s Degree) in the duties related to the function of the post, we also require the following:
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Recent experience in the planning and execution of verification and validation activities in a larger (>3M Software Lines of Code) software intensive project;
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Experience in the development (any part of the system/software lifecycle) of real-time safety critical systems/software;
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Knowledge of software life cycle management and quality management preferably in a Prince 2 environment;
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Experience in the management of a team of engineers;
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Experience in briefing international audiences.
The following will be considered as an advantage
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Professional certification in an operational function in a Combined Air Operations Centre or a Control and Reporting Centre.
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Operational or technical experience within Air Command and Control or Air Operations Planning or Decision Support system.
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Prior experience of working in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements;
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Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization including the NATO Military Authorities, Allied Command Operations and Allied Command Transformation.
Competencies Required
We are looking for a person who demonstrates the following behavioural competencies:
Deciding and Initiating Action - Takes responsibility for actions, projects and people; takes initiative and works under own direction; initiates and generates activity and introduces changes into work processes; makes quick, clear decisions which may include tough choices or considered risks.
Working with People - Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares information and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well.
Adhering to Principles and Values - Upholds ethics and values; demonstrates integrity; promotes and defends equal opportunities, builds diverse teams; encourages organisational and individual responsibility towards the community and the environment.
Writing and Reporting - Writes convincingly; writes clearly, succinctly and correctly; avoids the unnecessary use of jargon or complicated language; writes in a well-structured and logical way; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience.
Analysing - Analyses numerical data and all other sources of information, to break them into component parts, patterns and relationships; probes for further information or greater understanding of a problem; makes rational judgements from the available information and analysis; demonstrates an understanding of how one issue may be a part of a much larger system.
Achieving Personal Work Goals and Objectives - Accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm; works hard and puts in longer hours when it is necessary; seeks progression to roles of increased responsibility and influence; identifies own development needs and makes use of developmental or training opportunities.
Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations - Focuses on customer needs and satisfaction; sets high standards for quality and quantity; monitors and maintains quality and productivity; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals.
Coping with Pressures and Setbacks - Maintains a positive outlook at work; works productively in a pressurised environment; keeps emotions under control during difficult situations; handles criticism well and learns from it; balances the demands of a work life and a personal life.
Travel
Business travel to NATO and national (NATO and non-NATO) and industry facilities as well as frequent travel between the NCI Agency offices;
May be required to undertake duty travel to operational theatres inside and outside NATO boundaries.
Language Skills
A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.
NOTE: Most of the work of the NCI Agency is conducted in the English language.
Supervisory/Guidance Duties
You will provide definite guidance on verification and validation related issues to engineers and management.
