Communications Standards Support Services

Communications Standards Support Services

Brussels (Belgium), Belgium | Posted on 11/04/2026

• Date Opened 11/04/2026
• City Brussels (Belgium)
• Job Posting ID ZR_4528_JOB

What is the mission about?

develop, modernise and maintain NATO's Communications and Information Systems (CIS) technical standards and reference architectures to ensure secure, reliable and seamless interoperability across NATO's military communication networks.

Job Description

Role Overview

Nextlink is seeking an experienced CIS Communications Standards Engineer / Communications Architecture Specialist to support the development, modernisation and maintenance of NATO's Communications and Information Systems (CIS) technical standards and reference architectures.

The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing NATO's digital transformation by developing communications architectures, defining technical specifications and establishing conformance criteria to ensure secure and seamless interoperability across NATO's military communication systems.

The position will focus on modelling NATO Communications Reference Architectures using ArchiMate, contributing to NATO standardisation documents, supporting Satellite Communications (SATCOM) specifications and enabling integration across different communication technologies.

The individual will work closely with NATO's Interoperability and Standardization Section (ISS), NATO Digital Policy Committee (DPC) sub-structures, NCIA and relevant CIS engineering stakeholders.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

A. Communications Reference Architecture Modelling

• Lead the modelling and development of NATO Communications Reference Architectures using ArchiMate.
• Develop and maintain architecture models aligned with NATO's enterprise architecture requirements.
• Translate complex technical and operational requirements into structured architecture models.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to validate and obtain approval for architecture deliverables.
• Ensure architecture consistency and alignment with NATO's digital transformation objectives.

B. NATO CIS Technical Standards Development

• Contribute to the design, development and maintenance of NATO communications and networking standards.
• Develop and update NATO standardisation documents, including:
  • STANAGs (NATO Standardization Agreements).
  • Allied Communications Publications (AComP).
  • Standards Related Documents (SRD).
• Support the modernisation of application-layer and routing protocols.
• Contribute to the integration of High Frequency (HF) and other Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS) communication systems with IP-based networks.
• Ensure technical specifications align with NATO operational requirements and standardisation procedures.

C. Development of Technical Conformance Criteria

• Define and document measurable technical conformance criteria for NATO communications systems.
• Support the development of SATCOM specifications and technical requirements.
• Establish criteria to assess system interoperability, integration and compliance.
• Work with technical stakeholders to validate conformance requirements.
• Support early identification of integration issues during system development.

D. Communications Interoperability and Systems Integration

• Support interoperability across NATO Communications and Information Systems.
• Ensure technical standards facilitate integration across multiple communication domains, including:
  • Satellite Communications (SATCOM).
  • Line of Sight (LoS) communications.
  • Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS) communications.
  • Cellular communication systems.
  • IP-based networking environments.
• Analyse technical integration challenges and recommend solutions.
• Support validation of standards and specifications in testing and operational environments.

E. Governance, Coordination and Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate communications standardisation activities across NATO entities.
• Work closely with NATO's Digital Policy Committee (DPC) sub-structures, NCIA and standard custodians.
• Support committee chairpersons and technical working groups.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, specifications and governance materials.
• Monitor progress against standardisation objectives and agreed delivery schedules.
• Facilitate collaboration between architecture, engineering and operational stakeholders.

3. Mandatory Skills and Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant technical discipline, such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Communications and Information S