Software Developer

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU, and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting 

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and information technology (IT) services to NATO's member countries and its partners. The agency was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

The NCIA provides a wide range of services, including:

• Cyber Security: The NCIA provides advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATO's communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATO's military commanders to plan and execute operations.
• Satellite Communications: The NCIA provides satellite communications services to enable secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.
• Electronic Warfare: The NCIA provides electronic warfare services to support NATO's mission to detect, deny, and defeat threats to its communication networks.
• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATO's information technology infrastructure, including its databases, applications, and servers.

Overall, the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATO's communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATO’s principal C3 capability deliverer and CIS service provider. It provides, maintains and defends the NATO enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure to enable Allies to consult together under Article IV, and, when required, stand together in the face of attack under Article V.

To provide these critical services, in the modern evolving dynamic environment the NCI Agency needs to build and maintain high performance-engaged workforce. The NCI Agency workforce strategically consists of three major categorise's: NATO International Civilians (NIC)'s, Military (Mil), and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWC)'s. The IWCs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

Role ID – 2026-0081

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the preparation of a new release of the JChat Java Client
• Support the preparation of a new release of the JChat Web Client
• Support the preparation of a new release of the JChat Openfire Server
• Support the preparation of a new release of the M-Link server for JChat
• Represent the JChat team in test events
• Maintain the development pipeline
• Participate in Scrum meetings. Estimated per developer at 2.5 hours of standup per two-week development activity, four hours of refinement per two-week development activity, four hours of review per two-week development activity, a retrospective meeting and planning meeting per two-week development activity
• Under this work package the contractors of the supplier will support the development of a new version of the JChat Java client software following the Scrum methodology based on a backlog of tickets that is maintained in JIRA by the Purchaser.
• All activities for the preparation of the release, e.g. development, documenting, testing and reviewing, release building will be expressed as tickets with Story Points (SP) under this work package.
• Under this work package the contractors of the supplier will support the development of a new version of the JChat web client software following the Scrum methodology based on a backlog of tickets that is maintained in JIRA by the Purchaser.
• All activities for the preparation of the release, e.g. development, documenting, testing and reviewing, release building will be expressed as tickets with Story Points (SP) under this work package.
• Under this work package the contractors of the supplier will support the development of a new version of the JChat Openfire software following the Scrum methodology based on a backlog of tickets that is maintained in JIRA by the Purchaser.
• All activities for the preparation of the release, e.g. development, documenting, testing and reviewing, release building will be expressed as tickets with Story Points (SP) under this work package.
• Under this work package the contractors of the supplier will test and integrate a new version of the JChat M-Link server software following the Scrum methodology based on a backlog of tickets that is maintained in JIRA by the Purchaser.
• All activities for the preparation of the release, e.g. development, documenting, testing and reviewing, release building will be expressed as tickets with Story Points (SP) under this work package.
• Under this work package at least one of the contractors of the supplier will represent the JChat team during the CWIX IPC event and the INTEND event.
• Under this work package the contractors of the supplier will maintain and implement changes to the development pipeline (tool chain) for the JChat products following the Scrum methodology based on a backlog of tickets that is maintained in JIRA by the Purchaser.

 Essential Skills, Experience and Certifications

• The proposed developer has a track record (at least five years) in software development using Java, including Java Swing and web development using Angular;
• The proposed developer is well able to produce efficient, clear, readable, maintainable and high-quality code;
• The proposed developer has a track record (at least five years) with development of chat related products based on XMPP, including but not limited to the implementation of XEPs, the M-LINK Server, the Openfire Server and the Openfire plugin framework, troubleshooting XMPP communication;
• The proposed developer has solid experience with working with Scrum;
• The proposed developer has relevant and recent experience in continuous software integration and automated testing, including knowledge of test automation frameworks, using Maven, Jira, GitLab, Zephyr;
• The proposed developer has a flexible, cooperative and customer focussed attitude; sets high standards for quality and quantity; monitors and maintains quality and productivity; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way;
• The proposed developer has the nationality of one of the NATO nations.

 Education

• The proposed developer has a degree in informatics, computer science or a closely related engineering field;

 Language Proficiency

• The proposed developer is able to speak and write fluent English since the work is conducted in English; 

Working Location

• Two physical meetings with the entire team will be held at the Purchasers premises in The Hague.

Working Policy

• Off-site

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance