• Function title: Aviation Telecommunications Experts
• Reference: NOC-NM-2023-AD/608
• Location: Brussels – Information about living in Brussels
• Nature of competition: Internal and external competition
• Applicable regulations: Staff regulations governing officials of the EUROCONTROL Agency
• Type of post: Administrator
• Job level: AD6-AD9 – Check salary simulations for the basic grade
• Generic job title: Expert
• Number of posts: 3
• Duration of appointment: 5 Year(s) – extension or conversion of the contract is possible – see “Useful information” section
• Security clearance: Security vetting may be required in accordance with the relevant EUROCONTROL security policies
• Directorate/Service: NMD/INF/CNS – Integrated CNS Unit
• Working arrangement: Hybrid work (remote and onsite)
• Competition publication date: 13/04/2023
• Competition closing date: 11/05/2023 (23:59 Brussels time)
• Reserve list: Applicable – See details in the “Useful information” section

Your team

Within the Network Management Directorate, Infrastructure” manages the European infrastructure deployment projects and programmes, and aims at making the SES digital sky a reality. It develops, organises and provides European common services including network support services, aeronautical information services and the radio frequency function.

We are looking to fill three positions with different profiles; 1 General Aviation Telecommunications Expert, 1 Datalink Expert and 1 IP Expert.

Your role

Your role will be to:

• Contribute to and/or lead projects related to operations, R&D studies or aviation infrastructure deployment programmes and technical developments linked to fixed and mobile telecommunication activities of the Communication, Navigation & Surveillance (CNS) unit.
• Oversee the development and/or maintenance of software tools; propose system changes, prepare specifications, etc. to ensure the evolution of the tool satisfies user requirements.
• Coordinate technical matters with European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to ensure the smooth operation of aeronautical telecommunication networks.
• Participate in international technical expert groups and present the results of technical studies.
• Contribute to passing EASA and ISO audits; preparing and updating documentation as well as implementing audit findings.
• Contribute to procurement and contract management actions; drafting of calls for tender, evaluating of offers made by industry on aviation telecommunication, monitor work of external telecommunication service providers in conformity with contract requirements, etc.).
• Produce technical documentation such as technical specifications, aeronautical telecommunication standards (e.g. ICAO, Eurocae standards), working papers, presentations, activity reports, etc.) related to aviation telecommunications.
• Review and maintain aeronautical telecommunication standards in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures (cf. ICAO processes and ISO 9001).
• Carry out any other task in line with the main purpose of the job.

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

• • Completed university studies of 4 years in a relevant domain (e.g. Telecommunications Systems).
  • Internal candidates should go to page check on the intranet to see what level of in-house experience is considered equivalent to educational qualifications where appropriate.
  • A minimum of 3 years’ relevant professional experience in technical and/or operational matters relating to fixed and/or mobile aeronautical telecommunication.
  • Generic technical competencies for all Aviation Telecommunications Experts:
    • Experience in the implementation of aeronautical telecommunication standards in particular those of ICAO, EUROCAE/RTCA, AEEC, EASA and ETSI.
    • Experience in data analysis methods and statistics.
    • Knowledge of tools for data management, data collection, processing analysis/interpretation, modelling and visualisation (e.g. Tableau).
    • Software engineering skills (e.g. Java programming) would be an advantage.
    • Technical writing skills (English).
    • The working languages of the Agency are English and French. For this particular job, candidates must be proficient users of English at level C1. The selected candidate will be required to become at least a basic user of French at level A1 before the end of the probation period.
      The levels relate to the European-framework-reference Common European Framework of References for languages (CEFR).
  • In addition to the above, applicants need to have, at least one, of the competencies hereunder to be considered either for the Datalink Expert or IP Expert position.
  • Datalink Expert
    • Understanding of wireless communications, wireless network architectures (OSI and IP) and interfaces.
    • Understanding of spectrum, interference and RF propagation aspects of mobile communications.
    • Experience or understanding of current and future aviation datalink technologies, such VDL Mode 2, SATCOM, LDACS including interoperability and avionics installation and testing.
    • Experience or understanding of B1 and B2 datalink applications and, in particular CPDLC and/or ADS-C.
    • Experience in performance monitoring, simulation and analysis of wireless communication networks.

• IP Expert
  • Experience or understanding of IPv6 protocol (Fix and Mobile).
  • Experience with the European Regional Internet Registry (RIPE) as certified professional.
  • Understanding of voice over IP (VoIP) communication, preferably in an Air Traffic Management environment.
  • Knowledge of specific aviation telecommunication rules.
• Applicable to all three profiles:
  • Analytical thinking: You analyse information and are able to identify relationships.
  • Communication: You are able to foster two-way communication.
  • Influencing: You tailor your style and approach to influence others.
  • Creativity &Innovation: You apply new approaches.
  • Planning & Organising: You know how to plan ahead and adapt as required
  • Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
  • Professional conduct in line with the corporate behaviours of the Agency, i.e. result-driven, readiness to change, customer focus, integrity and team-player approach.

Useful information

• Applications will be accepted from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States only.
• Duration of appointment: This is an appointment for a determined period of 5 Year(s). It could be extended up to a maximum of 9 years or converted into an undetermined contract.
• Internal candidates
  If selected, the person will keep their current type of appointment duration (undetermined or determined).
  The internal staff member with a determined contract will be offered, in principle, an appointment for 5 Year(s) with a maximum total duration of 9 years.
• The successful candidate shall be appointed at the grade set out in this vacancy notice, or if a group of grades has been published for a job level, in principle at the basic grade of the published job level.
• In case of reserve list: Suitable candidates, however not selected to fill the post, will be placed on a reserve list for similar functions. The period of validity of reserve list is 1 year from the closing date of applications .
• Information on salary and benefits can be found on our Careers site
• EUROCONTROL is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equality and diversity. In the event of equal merit, preference may be given to the applicant from the under-represented diversity characteristics in order to complement diversity of teams and rebalance the workforce.
• Candidates should go to our Careers site and read the tips on how to apply.