Deadline Date: Thursday 16 July 2026
 
Requirement: Space Backend Developer
 
Location: The Hague, NETHERLANDS
 
Full Time On-Site: Yes
 
Time On-Site: 100%
 
Not to Exceed Rate: 79 EUR
 
Total Scope of the request (hours): 696
 
Required Start Date: 24 August 2026
 
End Contract Date: 31 December 2026
 
Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET
 
Please do NOT apply for any NATO contract positions unless you meet ALL the following criteria:

Current National or NATO SECRET clearance

Nationality of one of the NATO member countries

Current work visa for the specific location if applying for an in-country position

Any applications that do NOT meet all the above - and do not CLEARLY show these on the CV - will be deleted.
 
Duties & Role:  
 
The contractor shall provide software engineering, systems integration, and technical advisory support for the development, maintenance, enhancement, and operationalization of space- domain applications and services. Duties shall include:

• Designing, updating, and maintaining database structures and backend system architectures.
• Developing and enhancing API services, including endpoint pagination, graph data services, administration endpoints, and system health monitoring capabilities.
• Implementing user customization features and improving overall platform usability.
• Integrating external systems and data sources, including EUSST services, NATO authentication mechanisms, and space weather data feeds.
• Conducting technical assessments and providing recommendations regarding the operationalization, sustainability, and future evolution of the ORBIT platform.
• Performing backend maintenance, code optimization, refactoring, and technical debt reduction activities.
• Supporting cybersecurity activities, including penetration testing remediation and security enhancement initiatives.
• Evaluating, upgrading, and maintaining supporting technologies and infrastructure components, including Redis and secret management solutions such as Azure Key Vault.
• Preparing and maintaining technical documentation, architectural documentation, and operational procedures.
• Providing technical expertise and support for training activities, including Space Introduction Courses and knowledge-transfer initiatives.
• Supporting the development of scalable, secure, and modular solutions for the collection, processing, visualization, and dissemination of space-related operational data.

Requirements
Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• The candidate must have a currently active NATO SECRET security clearance
• Minimum 2+ years previous experience working as a react.js or angular developer
• In-depth knowledge of JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and front-end languages
• Proficiency in frequently used React tools like Flux, Redux, webpack, etc.
• Experience with user interface design
• Knowledge of performance testing frameworks including Mocha and Jest
• Experience with browser-based debugging and performance testing software
• Excellent troubleshooting skills
• Good project management skills
• Knowledge of Python programming language
• Experience working with NATO Software Factory

The following qualifications are considered desirable:

• Experience with Orion, Rigel, Orbit
• Practical knowledge of REST endpoints and APIs
• Experience with back-end technologies
• Practical knowledge of GIT and similar version control systems
• Experience with PostgreSQL databases
• Experience in automating processes
• Experience working in closed environments
• Experience with Python frameworks such as Django, Flask or Fast API
• Knowing your way around containers and container orchestration, and a microservices based distributed architecture
• Networking principles such as load balancing, DNS, Reverse Proxy
• Experience with SharePoint 2013/2019 versions
• Ability to plan and execute tasking in accordance with direction of NCI Agency engineers/scientists