• Function title: System Level Expert (Architecture & Engineering)
• Reference: NOC-MA-2024-FGIV/805
• Location: Maastricht
• The selected candidate must reside either at this location or within a reasonable proximity that allows for the satisfactory execution of their duties – Information about living in Maastricht
• Nature of the competition: Internal and external competition
• Applicable regulations: Conditions of Employment of Contract Staff at EUROCONTROL assigned at the Maastricht Centre
• Function group: Function group IV
• Job level: 16-18 – Check salary simulations for the basic grade
• Generic post: Project Manager/Specialist
• Number of posts: 1
• Duration of engagement: 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 provisions
• Directorate/Service: MAAS/ACT – Air Traffic Management Cooperations and Technology Domain
• Working arrangement: Hybrid work (A blend of onsite and remote work). Please note that EUROCONTROL does not offer full-time remote working arrangements.
• Competition publication date: 13/06/2024
• Competition closing date: 11/07/2024 (23:59 Brussels time)
• Reserve list: Applicable – See details in the “Useful information” section

Your team

Within the Directorate Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre, the”Technical Systems” service is responsible for the maintenance, development and improvement of software products which support MUAC in achieving its safety and capacity targets and sustain the growing air traffic demand. It provides also resources to various projects in its area of expertise and maintains technical hardware.

Are you passionate about cutting-edge technology and aviation? Do you thrive in an environment where innovation meets collaboration? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! Our “Architecture and System Engineering” team is seeking a talented System Level Expert to play a pivotal role in our projects.

The MAKAN (Maastricht and Karlsruhe Networks) project is a visionary collaboration between two major Air Traffic Control (ATC) centres in Europe: Maastricht and Karlsruhe. Our mission is to create a seamless airspace user experience, enhancing capacity, safety, and environmental sustainability while laying the groundwork for future flexibility and economic benefits. This project involves aligning working concepts and procedures, developing a common system, and optimizing border coordination to improve traffic handling. We are also crafting an advanced system architecture, deploying shared systems from geo-redundant data centres, and building a digital platform to support both centres and potentially third parties.

Call to Action

As a System Level Expert, you will leverage your expertise to develop innovative solutions that will shape the future of European air traffic management. You’ll work with a team of dedicated professionals, using the latest technologies to achieve unparalleled operational and technical excellence. If you are ready to take on this challenge and make a significant impact in the aviation industry, we invite you to apply and become part of our dynamic team.

Your role

Your role will be to:

• Design and architect the technical system, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.
• Analyse non-functional requirements (e.g., reliability and manageability) to identify areas for improvement and propose efficient solutions.
• Establish standards, guidelines, and best practices for system and software architecture to ensure consistency, maintainability, and scalability.
• Identify potential risks and challenges associated with the system architecture and develop mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders (software developers, hardware engineers, project managers, suppliers, partner organisations, quality/safety/security experts and end-users) to ensure the system meets requirements.
• Document the system architecture and technical requirements for clarity, communication, and future maintenance while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to the development of short and medium-term system evolution strategies and translate them into actionable objectives.
• Negotiate with external suppliers to meet system-level quality requirements.
• Analyse change proposals, identifying their impact, and ensure coherent implementation in line with architectural guidelines.
• Lead architecture workshops, as needed.
• 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 Computer Science, Engineering or in another related technical field or of 3 years plus 1-year relevant professional experience.
• A minimum of 4 years of relevant working experience.
• Previous experience in system architecture or a related role (e.g., software architect, system engineer or technical lead).
• Experience with designing and architecting complex systems with high level or reliability (e.g., banking, aviation, transport).
• Knowledge of relevant technologies, frameworks, and architectural principles (e.g., service-oriented architecture, container orchestration, API integration, networks, message brokers, event streaming, IaC).
• Familiarity with various programming languages, databases, operating systems, and network protocols.
• Knowledge of modern software development (CI/CD, modelling techniques and tools).
• Technical drafting skills (English).
• Experience in ATM and/or understanding of ATM systems would be considered as strong asset.
• Communication: You foster two-way communication.
• Customer Focus: You adapt services to respond to customer needs.
• Problem solving: You are able to anticipate and solve business issues.
• Analytical thinking: You are able to analyse information and identify relationships.
• Teamwork: You display a collaborative approach.
• 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.
• 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 levels relate to the European-framework-reference Common European Framework of References for languages (CEFR).

Useful information

• Applications will be accepted from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States only.
• The selected candidate will be offered a contract of 5 Year(s) and it may be renewed up to a maximum of 9 years or converted into an undetermined contract pursuant to the provisions of the Conditions of Employment of Contract Staff at EUROCONTROL. Before being established in the post, he/she will be requested to provide certified copies of his/her degrees and successfully serve a probationary period of 9 months.
• For new recruited Contract staff, the employment can be terminated earlier by both parts at the end of the period of notice that will be specified in the contract. The period of notice shall not be less than one month per year of service, subject to a minimum of one month and a maximum of three months.
• The successful candidate shall be engaged in principle at the basic grade of the advertised grades.
• Candidates declared suitable who are not selected for the post will be placed on a reserve list for similar roles. The reserve list will be valid for one 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.