System Specialist - Network & Security

Grade A2: EUR 72,471 basic salary, net of tax + other benefits

Contract type: Contract Duration: Two years, with possibility of further extension

ECMWF is looking for an Network Analyst who will be responsible for the provision of data centre and office networks, auxiliary network services, and network security appliances and services. They will also take part in evaluating and implementing new network and network security technologies, standards and techniques to enhance the computing infrastructure, as well as participating in a variety of other network-related projects.

The ideal candidate will have the expertise and in-depth knowledge to plan, design, deploy, operate, optimise and support the network and security infrastructure as well as adopt and develop standards and new techniques for computer networks such as automation and virtualisation. The role will involve working with both internal and external stakeholders to introduce these into operations.

The Core Infrastructure Section forms part of ECMWF’s Computing Department and is responsible for delivering the network support for the Bologna datacentre as well as Reading, Bologna and Bonn offices and the storage and general purpose servers of ECMWF. This section is also responsible for the mechanical and electrical aspects of ECMWF’s Bologna datacentre, which is a key facility supporting the Centre’s 24/7 time‑critical production services.

Within the Core Infrastructure Section, the Network Team is responsible for designing, procuring, deploying and day‑to‑day management of the Networks and Security infrastructures and their associated Operational Security services. The participation to and executions of Network Security Operations also takes place within the team, in close cooperation with the Infosec Team reporting to the Centre’s Director of Computing. ECMWF’s network environment includes cutting‑edge technologies and products from well‑known vendors, with data centre networks based on the latest 100+ Gbps technology. Configuring and operating the network infrastructure used to support ECMWF’s High‑Performance Computing Facility

Configuring and operating network equipment: switches, routers, firewalls, ADC, wireless

Working towards the simplification and automation of networks to achieve quicker and safer deployments, changes and upgrades using APIs and templates

Configuring and operating network services: DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, NTP, Web Proxy running on a variety of platforms (proprietary, Linux, Windows)

Isolating and repairing network faults in a timely and efficient manner in coordination with internal stakeholders and 3rd parties (providers, suppliers and support companies)

Evaluating and installing new network hardware and software

Monitoring of the availability, performance and reliability of the network infrastructure and services

Providing day‑to‑day support for the services provided by the team, including, on a rota basis, 24‑hour on‑call support

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel you meet precisely all of the these criteria.

Experience of configuring network hardware including switches, routers and firewalls

Experience of network monitoring tools and techniques

Experience of troubleshooting a network environment

Experience of working with Juniper, Arista, Fortinet, Infoblox, F5 or Cisco platforms

Experience in developing code for network system management and monitoring solutions using REST APIs, Python, Ansible and similar tools, in a structured CI/CD Pipeline environment

Experience of implementing the networking stack for cloud‑native technologies (desirable)

Knowledge of network technologies including several of the following in practice: Good working knowledge of a modern scripting language such as Python

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English

Fluency in Italian would be advantageous as would knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German)

It is an intergovernmental organisation created in 1975 by a group of European nations and is today supported by 34 Member and Co‑operating States, mostly in Europe. The success of its activities relies primarily on the talent of its scientists, strong partnerships with its Member and Co‑operating States and the international community, some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, and the use of innovative technologies such as machine learning across its operations.

ECMWF has recently become a multi‑site organisation, with its headquarters based since its creation in Reading, UK, its new data centre in Bologna, Italy, and new offices in Bonn, Germany. It has also recently adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows its staff to mix both office working and teleworking. This generous and flexible model provides our staff with considerable flexibility to spend time outside or away from their duty station and decide how they wish to manage their professional working time at ECMWF. As a multi‑site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model that allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking. Staff are expected to relocate to the duty station. Staff can telework up to 10 days/month, including up to 80 days/year away from the duty station country (within the area of our member states and co‑operating states).

Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button below. Please note the vacancy will close for applications at midnight UK time on the closing date.

We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy.