About the job
Are you a networking and protocol specialist with a passion for simulation and training systems? Do you want to work in an innovative research environment where advanced simulators and interoperability are at the forefront? If so, we want to hear from you!
What will you do?
As a network expert in our department, you will be responsible for designing, optimizing, and managing networks and systems that connect various simulators and operational systems securely and efficiently. You will tackle issues related to network architectures, simulation protocols such as DIS and HLA, network security, and the scalability of complex simulation environments. Your contributions will be vital in enabling interoperability between simulators, operational systems, and autonomous platforms, and you will be involved in the further development of both existing and new simulation networks. You will collaborate in multidisciplinary teams with software developers, domain experts, and stakeholders to create innovative solutions for national and international clients.
What do you bring?
Completed university degree (Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a comparable technical field);
In-depth knowledge of TCP/UDP, DNS, SSL/TLS, routing, reverse proxies, switching, and VLANs;
Experience with VPN technology (WireGuard, IPSec), multicast, and network security;
Familiarity with Linux systems and basic scripting for task automation (bash, PowerShell, Python);
Experience with virtualization/containerization (Docker, LXC, VMs on Proxmox/VMware);
Experience with firewalls (e.g., OPNsense, pfSense, RouterOS);
Experience in designing and managing robust, scalable network environments;
You are collegial, enjoy teamwork, and possess strong communication skills (at least B2) in Dutch and English.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with simulation protocols (DIS/HLA) or willingness to learn;
Affinity for simulation and training environments in an R&D context;
Experience with mobile connectivity (3G/4G/5G) for exercises or experiments with live platforms;
Experience with Authentication/Identity tooling (Keycloak, Authentik, Active Directory);
Experience with monitoring tools (Grafana, ...;

