JOB DESCRIPTION

1. POST CONTEXT

This is a position within the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

CMRE is an established, excellent scientific research and experimentation facility that organizes and conducts scientific research and technology development, centred on the maritime domain, delivering innovative and field-tested Science & Technology (S&T) solutions to address defence and security needs of the Alliance.

This position is within the Engineering and Information Technology Division (EITD), which supports the execution of the Programme of Work.

EITD consists of the Engineering Branch and the Information Technology Branch:

• The Engineering Branch addresses the engineering and technological requirements of the Centre’s research activity, by designing, developing, constructing, testing at-sea and maintaining, repairing and calibrating electronic, oceanographic, mechanical, acoustical assemblies and unmanned systems, especially prototypes, or combinations of such units as required. The branch has the following sections:
  • Sonar & Marine Sensors Section
  • Ocean Engineering Section
  • Embedded Systems Section
• The Information Technology Branch supports the conception, design, development and construction of state-of-the-art technologies in computing, networking and data infrastructure as well as developing, integrating, and validating software applications, services and products. All this is done while ensuring interoperability, security and compliance with relevant NATO policies and regulations. The branch has the following sections:
  • Software Development and Data Management Section
  • Scientific CIS Section

The position is within the Oceanography Cell of the Ocean Engineering Section of the Engineering Branch.

2. PRINCIPAL DUTIES

The Incumbent provides oceanographic services in support of CMRE Research and Development Programme. In general, their overall mission cover the supervision of a broad spectrum of activities including conception, specification, design, procurement, integration, testing, operation, maintenance and repair of cutting-edge oceanographic instrumentation and related marine systems.

Their duties cover a broad spectrum of activities related to Oceanographic and Ocean Engineering operations, ashore and on board vessels:

• Supervision of the lifecycle management of CMRE marine and oceanographic underwater systems, subsystems and components (specification, procurement, acceptance, testing, calibration, operation at sea, maintenance and repair);
• Support to CMRE Project and Programme Managers, including technical proposals and budget planning, for the oceanographic and marine related activities;
• Engineering coordination of sea/land based Trials, including planning, preparation, logistics, execution and reporting;
• Supervision of the CMRE underwater Gliders laboratory and control room;
• Execution of field and laboratory equipment evaluation and acceptance tests, using software based engineering tools, and mathematical models for engineering;
• Supervision and coordination of a Team of Technicians and Craftsperson as required by the Ocean Engineering Section work programme.

3. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES

a. Flexibility Clause

The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as directed.

All other related duties should correspond with the required competencies for the job.

b. Deployment/Travel

The incumbent may be required to perform their duties onboard Centre or chartered vessels. The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments within and outside NATO boundaries.

c. Certification

The incumbent needs to hold a fit for sea certificate in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) standards before taking up duty.

4. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional Experience

• Operation of state of the art, oceanographic equipment, and systems;
• Participation to oceanographic activities, ashore and at sea, in support of underwater research or other industrial operations;
• Technical coordination of sea trials, including planning, preparation, execution, and reporting;
• Field and laboratory acceptance, calibration and functional tests;
• Support to technical projects, including planning, execution and reporting;
• Preparation of technical documents (e.g. feasibility studies, proposals, specifications, procedures, reports);
• Management of technical teams in day-to-day tasks, including objective setting and evaluation.

b. Education / Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree at a Nationally Recognized/Certified University in Engineering or other discipline relevant to the post, and at least 3 years post-related experience.

Or

• Master’s Degree at a Nationally Recognized/Certified University in Engineering or other discipline relevant to the post, and at least 1 year post-related experience.

c. Language Requirements

A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages (English and French), both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.

SLP 3333 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

NOTE: Most of the work at CMRE is conducted in the English language.

5. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional Experience

• Design, integration, development, testing, operation of custom/innovative oceanographic and marine engineering equipment (e.g. sensors, payloads, moorings, gears);
• Marine operations in multiple operational environments (e.g. Mediterranean, Blue Water, Arctic);
• Management and operation of underwater autonomous systems;
• Knowledge of data quality check / data management processes;
• Vocational training in Project Management;
• Working in international environment.

b. Education / Certification / Professional Experience

Master’s Degree at a Nationally Recognized/Certified University in Engineering or other discipline relevant to the post, and at least 3 years post-related experience.

c. Language Requirements

Italian SLP 2222 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing), to collaborate and day-by-day activities with local Suppliers, Contractors and Authorities, and Ships’ staff.

6. ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate possess the following competencies and personal attributes:

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written – able to communicate at all levels;
• Very good interpersonal skills. Solicits inputs and encourages others;
• Innovative and driven, and always displaying sound judgement;
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Problem solving: responding to unexpected circumstances and taking initiative to implement solutions;
• Advising: give targeted advice to others within or outside the organization;
• Adopting a customer oriented attitude: takes personal responsibility for correcting problems;
• Motivating and managing: trust people and distribute responsibilities to optimize the team performance. Solicit inputs and encourage others.

All CMRE personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.

7. REMARKS

The duties are performed in an office, laboratory, workshop environment or on-board Centre ships. Slightly undesirable working conditions may apply.

__________________________

About Us:

The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is part of the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO). The mission of the STO is to help position both national and NATO science and technology investments as a strategic enabler and technology advantage for the defence and security posture of NATO Allies and partners. The Centre conducts scientific research and technology development and delivers innovative field-tested S&T solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance. CMRE has more than 60 years of experience and has produced a cadre of leaders in ocean science, modelling and simulation, acoustics and other disciplines, as well as producing critical results and understanding that have been built into the operational concepts of NATO and the Nations.

 

What we offer:

• Salary (Pay Basis): 5,725.22 (EUR) Monthly. Salary value as per 2025. Subject to future adjustments in accordance with North Atlantic Council decisions.

Grade ABCL grade A2 / NATO grade G15

A world class research facility located in the sea port of La Spezia, Italy supported by two specialised research vessels.

An exciting place in which to work situated at an ideal location, the port of La Spezia, Italy, enabling synergy with regional and global academic institutes and industry.

Salary and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR), which includes a rewarding salary and a comprehensive system of allowances, supplements and insurances to support families and, in case of expatriated staff, offers an interesting “expatriate” package.

A generous annual leave and, (where eligible) home leave.

The successful candidate will be offered a three years’ definite duration contract which may be renewed for subsequent periods subject to business needs, satisfactory performance and the need to rotate skills and talent within the Organization.

Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

Our recruitment process:

• Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.

Applications (including the most relevant publications, the diplomas – stating the highest level of education – and a CV) for this vacancy are to be submitted using the E-recruitment system;

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the CMRE Medical Adviser.

Additional information:

CMRE values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We welcome applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourage women to apply.

Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

For more information on how to apply:

How to apply for posts within NATO

6 tips to apply for posts within NATO

NOTE:

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements