Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Engineer

Title: Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Engineer Location: Mons, Belgium

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.

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Engineer

Role ID – C005519

Role Background

NCIA is seeking an experienced Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Engineer to support the design, deployment, administration and maintenance of Microsoft RDS environments within NATO's Deployable Communications and Information Systems (DCIS).

The successful candidate will manage enterprise Windows Server infrastructure, Remote Desktop Services and associated Microsoft Core Enterprise Services, ensuring system availability, performance, security and operational continuity.

The role also supports the automated deployment of core enterprise services for deployable CIS kits and provides Level 3 technical support in coordination with infrastructure, security and service management teams.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, configure, maintain and troubleshoot Microsoft Remote Desktop Services environments.
• Administer Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH), RD Gateway, RD Web Access and RDS Licensing.
• Manage RDS farms, session collections, RemoteApp applications and user sessions.
• Configure and maintain Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for RDS security, access and session management.
• Monitor RDS performance, capacity, availability and user experience.
• Troubleshoot authentication, connectivity, user profiles, application access, printing and performance issues.
• Configure and support FSLogix profile containers and user profile management.
• Maintain Windows Server patching, security configurations, certificates and software updates.
• Perform capacity planning and optimise infrastructure for concurrent users and applications.
• Automate administration and troubleshooting tasks using PowerShell and scripting technologies.
• Investigate system alerts, event logs and performance metrics to identify root causes.
• Maintain Microsoft Core Enterprise Services, including Active Directory, Domain Trusts, Exchange, DNS, web authentication and Group Policy.
• Support automated deployment of Core Enterprise Services to NATO Deployable CIS kits.
• Prepare technical documentation, configuration records, network diagrams and as-built guides.
• Coordinate incident, problem and change management activities with the centralised Service Desk.
• Support infrastructure engineering projects, upgrades and service improvements.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, networking, security and application teams.
• Provide Level 3 technical support for Deployable CIS core services.
• Deputise for higher-grade staff when required.

Essential Skills

• Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) architecture, deployment and administration.
• RDSH, RD Gateway, RD Web Access, RDS Licensing, RDS farms and RemoteApp.
• Experience building, administering, monitoring and troubleshooting large-scale Windows RDS environments.
• Microsoft Windows Server 2016, 2019 and 2025.
• Windows 10 and Windows 11 administration and troubleshooting.
• Large-scale Microsoft Active Directory administration.
• DNS domain management and DNS resolution.
• Microsoft Exchange Server administration.
• Group Policy Management and Windows security configurations.
• Knowledge of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
• VMware vSphere virtualisation environments.
• RDS monitoring and reporting tools such as Syskit or RDPManager.
• Experience troubleshooting Windows client operating systems and applications.
• Deployable CIS core services and Level 3 technical support.
• Knowledge of ITIL service management and Service Transition.
• Strong technical documentation, troubleshooting and stakeholder coordination skills.

Additional technologies and experience:

• PowerShell scripting and automation.
• FSLogix profile management.
• Microsoft SharePoint Server and ADFS.
• Veeam Backup & Replication or Rubrik.
• Experience supporting deployed military exercises or operational environments.

Experience

• At least 3 years of proven experience managing Core Enterprise Services in a large enterprise environment.
• At least 3 years of experience building, administering, monitoring and troubleshooting large Windows RDS environments.
• Experience providing Level 3 support for Deployable CIS core services.
• Prior experience supporting deployed exercises or operational environments.

Certifications referenced in the SOW:

• Formal ITIL certification in Service Operation.
• Microsoft MCSA / MCSE.
• VMware VCP.
• Cisco CCDA / CCNA.

Security clearance: NATO Cosmic Top Secret — mandatory.

Working Location

Mons, Belgium

Working Policy

• Working arrangement: Full-time on-site.
• Start date: 29 November 2026.
• End date: 30 December 2026.
• Total scope: 380 hours.
• Working conditions: Normal office conditions.
• Additional hours: Some work outside normal office hours may be required.
• Travel: Up to 50 TDY days within Belgium per year, as stated in the SOW.
• Security clearance: NATO Cosmic Top Secret (mandatory).

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance