Sonars and Marine Sensors Section Head (231244)

Title: Sonars and Marine Sensors Section Head (231244)

Primary Location: Italy-La Spezia
NATO Body: Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE)
Schedule: Full-time
Salary (Pay Basis): 7,078.54 Euro (EUR) Monthly
Grade NATO SSS Grade G17/G20 (ABCL A3/A4)
Clearance Level NS

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

Are you a professional with vast experience in design, integration, testing and operation of underwater acoustic systems for Research or Military applications? Do you have experience with Management of technical projects, including planning, monitoring, execution and reporting? If so, CMRE is looking for you!

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.

POST DESCRIPTION
Location: La Spezia, Italy, 80 Km north of Pisa, on the Gulf of La Spezia
Division: Engineering & Information Technology Division (EITD)

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 Department (ED) and the Information Technology Department (ITD).

The ED 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, acoustic, acoustical assemblies and unmanned systems, especially prototypes, or combinations of such units as required.

The ITD 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 position includes management responsibilities upon the “Sonars and Marine Sensors” Section of the ED.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES
Under the supervision of the Engineering Department Head, working autonomously or participating in working groups and project teams, the Incumbent will be responsible for providing technical and engineering services in support of CMRE Research and Development Programme. His/her overall mission will cover a broad spectrum of activities including conception, specification, design, development, construction, integration, testing, inspection, maintenance, operation and repair of modern, cutting-edge acoustic and sensing systems.

His/her duties will include the following tasks:

• Lead a team of Engineers, Technicians, Craftsmen and Contractors, working to the specification, costing, modelling and simulation, design, manufacturing, integration, testing and documentation of underwater acoustic systems and other oceanographic, geophysical and marine sensors;
• Lead a team of Engineers, Technicians, Craftsmen, including setting their yearly objectives and performance evaluation;
• On a yearly basis, in accordance with the CMRE Programme of Work, supervise the maintenance, repair, upgrade, obsolescence mitigation, calibration, testing, storage of the engineering instruments and equipment assigned to the Sonar and Marine Sensors Section, to ensure a safe and efficient operation at sea;
• Coordinate, working in synergy with the IT Department, the maintenance, operation and management of the Communication and Information Systems (CIS: to include PCs, Workstations, Embedded Systems, custom developed Software, and engineering Data) assigned to the Sonar and Marine Sensors Section, with particular focus on security related aspects; support the CIS accreditation process when required, during the development of technical descriptions, concepts of operations, risk analyses and operational/testing procedures;
• In coordination with other EITD Staff, discuss with CMRE Research Division or other external Customers to define the technical requirements for newly developed/procured acoustic systems; subsequently provide cost/manpower estimates and technical descriptions for the procurement, development and field operation of new and existing acoustic systems, to be integrated within CMRE business and budget plans;
• In cooperation with the Research Division or other Customers, coordinate the EITD support to CMRE operations (Scientific or Engineering Sea Trials, on board Ships or from shore), including planning of activities, commitment of EITD resources, preparation of instruments and equipment, logistics (transport, handling, setup, demobbing) and other required services;
• Participate to working groups, for preliminary technical and economical evaluations of Projects, to be possibly implemented in the CMRE Programme of Work, or in other CMRE long-period Development Plans;
• Manage Customer-funded technical and engineering projects, participating to the preparation of proposal, definition of contracts, planning and commitment of resources, production of deliverables and reports, statement of works in support of financial aspects; in this framework, lead the preparation and execution of Factory, Harbour and Sea Acceptance Testing (FAT/HAT/SAT) of newly developed acoustic systems and other sensors, and provide post-delivery training and technical support when required;
• Prepare technical specifications and statements of work, supporting the CMRE Procurement and Contracting Branch to obtain quotations, execute bidding processes when required, and ultimately issue Purchase Orders for engineering supplies and services, subsequently conducting inspection and acceptance testing at delivery;
• Keep himself abreast of technical developments in his professional field and organize a broad plan of training courses and development activities for Section’s Staff.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES

a. Flexibility Clause
• The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties even in other parts of the organization as directed.
• As required by the Program of Work, the incumbent may be asked to participate in working groups or project teams and to coordinate and organize the work of other engineers, technicians and staff.

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

b. Deployment/Travel
The incumbent may be required to perform his/her duties on board Centre or chartered vessels. The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments within and outside NATO boundaries.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional/Experience

• Design, integration, testing and operation of underwater acoustic systems for Research or Military applications
• Participation to scientific, research and other test operations at sea, focused on acoustic systems and other oceanographic, geophysical and marine sensors, including leading roles in the engineering and logistic coordination
• Management of technical projects, including planning, monitoring, execution and reporting
• Production of technical documents (feasibility studies, technical proposals, specifications, procedures, manuals, test plans, reports)
• Management of technical teams in day-to-day engineering tasks, ensuring the optimal allocation and providing arbitration to competing activities as required
• Management of team objectives settings and evaluation

b. Education/Training
A Minimum requirement of a Master of Science Degree, at a Nationally Recognized/Certified University in Engineering or other Acoustics and Electro-Acoustics related discipline, with 5 years Post-related experience.

c. Language Requirements
A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.

English SLP 3333

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

d. 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.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional/Experience
• Proven multi-disciplinary engineering qualification, to support the knowledge of the interactions between acoustic, electrical, electronic and mechanical components involved in the integration of underwater acoustic systems
• Leading role in the design and integration of prototype and one-off acoustic systems, supported by the ability to transform the customer’s specifications into a realizable product, through the knowledge of trade-offs effects on the overall performance
• Operational knowledge of engineering modelling and simulation tools applicable to acoustic and electro-acoustic design
• Coordination of technical teams for the design, integration and testing of underwater acoustic arrays
• Broad knowledge of acoustic and non-acoustic sensors, extended and not limited to underwater vector sensors, low frequency hydrophones, volumetric sensors, geophones and seismic sensors, magnetic sensors, compass and attitude/motion sensors
• Knowledge of state of the art and innovative manufacturing technologies applied to acoustic sensors and transducers, and other marine sensors
• Interface and integration of acoustic and electro-acoustic systems on board military surface ships and submarines
• Qualification in Project Management (e.g. Prince 2)
• Experience in a Customer funded work environment
• Experience in an International work environment.

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

ATTRIBUTES / COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate possesses the following competencies / personal attributes:
• Innovating: offer original ideas.
• Managing: time as well as material, human, and financial resources.

• Problem solving: respond to unexpected circumstances and taking initiative to implement solutions.

• Motivating: trust people and distribute responsibilities to optimize the team performance.
• Advising: give targeted advice to others within or outside the organization.
• Adopting a customer oriented attitude: take personal responsibility for correcting problems.
• Teamwork: 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.

REMARKS
The duties are mostly performed in an office environment, but the Incumbent may be required to work outdoor or on board a vessel.

_______________________________________
About Us:

What we offer:

• Salary (Pay Basis): 7,078.54 Euro (EUR) Monthly*
*Salary value as per 2023. Subject to future adjustments in accordance with North Atlantic Council decisions.

• Grade ABCL grade A3/A4 /NATO grade G17/G20
• 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.

– ONLY FOR TWIN GRADED POSITIONS –

NOTE:
Typically, candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic, and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

Under specific circumstances, serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade, and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates.

• 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

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications are to be submitted using the NATO Talent Acquisition Program (NTAP) https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=231244&lang=en
Applications submitted by other means are not accepted. NTAP allows adding attachments. Essential information must be included in the application form. Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section. Each question should be answered completely. Expressions such as “please see annex / enclosed document” or invitations to follow links to personal webpages are not acceptable and will be disregarded. All answers should be in English preferably, or French.

Sonars and Marine Sensors Section Head (231244)

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