OCCAR UNCLASSIFIED – STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
Form IP 45-2 Issue 4.6
1. Background
The European Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) Programme is a multinational cooperative programme with the participation of
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the Federal Republic of Germany, the French Republic, the Italian Republic and the Kingdom of Spain, recently joined by Japan and India as observers.
The MALE RPAS Programme Division (MRPD) is responsible for the execution of the Contracts for the Definition, Development, Production and In Service Support for the MALE RPAS, and of any potential additional Contracts in specific areas.
The MALE RPAS Programme Division is based in Hallbergmoos (Munich area), Germany.
To date, the MALE RPAS Programme has successfully passed towards gradual key milestones. A Definition Study was launched in 2016 to define common requirements among the Programme Participating States and was successfully concluded in 2018. The Invitation for Tendering for a Stage 2 Contract (Development and Production including 5 years of Initial In-service Support) was launched in October 2018. The subsequent two years were fully devoted to negotiating and refining the industry offer to ensure that the contract would meet PPS' expectations in terms of performance, affordability and value for money. The Stage 2 Contract was signed on 24 February 2022. The MALE RPAS Programme has successfully passed the Preliminary Design Review in 2024 and the Critical Design Review in 2025 that concludes the design phase enabling the start of prototype production and paving the way to the first flight.
In this context, the Technical Section (TS) is responsible for all MALE RPAS Programme Division technical matters, including Qualification, Certification and Information Security accreditation related activities, by ensuring the implementation of the Stage 2 technical requirements Contract compliance. TS also supports, for the technical matters, the activities associated with the European Defence Fund (EDF), strengthening European sovereignty and continuously aiming at improving the effectiveness of European Industrial Defence Cooperation.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The Technical Officer Communications will report to the Technical Section Leader, will support the Infosec & Communication Systems Coordinator and will be responsible for the management of activities covering the communication sub-systems requirements of the European MALE RPAS. These activities are carried out in close collaboration with industry and the national entities.
In particular, they will:
- Manage all aspects of the implementation of the communications sub-system and equipment to the air vehicle and ground system, including
- qualification and certification aspects in cooperation with the Certification/Qualification staff of the PD;
- accreditation in cooperation with the Infosec (Information Security) staff of the PD.
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- ▪ Contribute to prepare and proceed for the COMM requirements Qualification, and Certification under COMM CQP's responsibility, supporting the Certification and Qualification Team Manager;
- ▪ Tackle the qualification activities with the preparation of the laboratory/ground/flight test on communications; Ensure the Certification Basis compliance, as requested by EMAR-21 through a Certification Programme and its detailed Means of Compliance (MoC) demonstration, in the scope of the COMM Panel;
- ▪ Ensure the development and implementation of 'specific Certification Plans' allocated to the COMM CQP;
- ▪ Contribute to prepare and proceed for the COMSEC (Communication Security) requirements Accreditation under COMSEC Working Group responsibility, supporting the Infosec & Communication Systems Coordinator;
- ▪ Monitor, evaluate and report on the Contractors' performance against Communication Chain development, production and in- service activities (requirements, architecture / definition / interfaces, configuration management, GFX management, analysis and performance assessment);
- ▪ Monitor and coordinate all issues raised for the communications sub-system in terms of frequency management, crypto keys management and interoperability with legacy systems;
- ▪ Liaise with the National and International organizations as necessary (e.g. International Telecommunication Unit, NATO, NDA);
- ▪ Monitor and coordinate the data link and communication network implementation for Command and Control and Mission Communications of the European MALE RPAS;
- ▪ Liaise and actively support the coordination, as appropriate, of all technical aspects of responsibility in any transversal responsibility with the Communication Information Security Officer or any other relevant CQ Technical Panels (e.g.: Safety, Avionics) or Working groups (e.g.: Technical and Operational Working group, Operational Advisory Focus Group or Air Traffic Integration);
- ▪ Support the Infosec & Communication Systems Coordinator & Communication Information Security Officer in all aspects and on request of the Technical Section Leader, perform other tasks and duties related to their responsibilities or in support of other technical management or PD Section.
3. Key competences and skills required for the grade
(You must provide evidence of meeting these key competences and skills in your Application, Section 12).
CS 1 The ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships at all levels in a multicultural context and with respect for diversity;
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CS 2 Excellent interpersonal and team working skills with the ability to interact and communicate at all levels within OCCAR as well as with Nations;
CS 3 The ability to work in a changing, developing and demanding environment;
CS 4 The ability to implement clear, efficient and logical approaches to work, to manage assignments, objectives and time;
CS 5 The ability to use Computer and Information Technology (ICT) facilities and be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of MS Office software.
4. Specialist knowledge and experience required for the post
(You must provide evidence of meeting these specialist requirements in your Application, Sections 10 and 11).
4.1 Essential:
ES 1 Proven experience and strong background in military communications projects, encompassing the entire lifecycle of the communication sub-systems as well as requirements management;
ES 2 Proven experience in aeronautical systems Certification (Airworthiness) processes and associated activities for communication systems;
ES 3 Proven experience in aeronautical system's Qualification processes and associated activities for communication systems;
ES 4 Experience in managing contractors and liaising with International Organisations.
4.2 Desirable:
DS 1 Experience in the field of integration of Communications Systems in military Remote Piloted Air Systems;
DS 2 Experience in communication systems qualification/certification test and evaluation campaigns;
DS 3 Experience in the field of operating and/or exchanging information with others (un)manned aircraft and ground forces (e.g.: Remote Video Terminal, VMF, Voice);
DS 4 Previous Experience in the implementation and management of Tactical/Mission/C2 Data Links (e.g.: STANAG 7085, 4606);
DS 5 Good knowledge and experience of COMSEC/TRANSEC mechanisms, including definition and implementation of crypto key requirements evaluation and approval processes.
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5. Language Requirements
- ADVANCED level¹ of ENGLISH both oral and written.
- Additional knowledge of another OCCAR Member or Participating State's language will be considered as an asset.
6. Qualifications
A university degree or equivalent qualification with several years of experience in electronics, Aeronautical or systems engineering is required.
7. Security Clearance
Security clearance at OCCAR Secret level is required for this post, or must be acquired within 6 months of taking up duty.
8. Applications and Points of Contact
For further information regarding this Post, please contact:
OCCAR Privacy Statement:
When applying for an OCCAR vacancy, it is necessary for OCCAR to collect and process personal data about you in order to assess and evaluate your suitability for the vacancy, and (if successful) to coordinate with relevant service providers in preparation of your appointment. For further information please visit our web-site: OCCAR Privacy Statement - http://www.occar.int/privacy-data-protection.
¹ The language levels can be found on the OCCAR website, www.occar.int Careers / Applying.
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