Senior Craftsperson (Mechanical)

Senior Craftsperson (Mechanical)-251750

Primary Location

Italy-La Spezia

NATO Body

Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE)

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

01-Dec-2025, 10:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

: 3,922.65Euro (EUR) Monthly

Grade NATO Grade G9

Description

:

1. POST CONTEXT

These are positions within the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

CMRE is an established, excellent scientific research and experimentation facility that organizes and conducts scientific research and technology development, centred on the maritime domain, delivering innovative and field-tested Science & Technology (S&T) solutions to address defence and security needs of the Alliance.

The positions are within the Engineering and Information Technology Division (EITD), which supports the execution of CMRE’s Programme of Work.

EITD consists of the Engineering Branch (EB) and the Information Technology Branch (ITB).

1. The Engineering Branch addresses the engineering and technological requirements of the Centre’s research activity, by designing, developing, constructing, testing at-sea and maintaining, repairing and calibrating electronic, oceanographic, mechanical, acoustical assemblies and unmanned systems, especially prototypes, or combinations of such units as required. The branch has the following sections:
   • Sonar & Marine Sensors Section
   • Ocean Engineering Section
   • Embedded Systems Section
2. The Information Technology Branch supports the conception, design, development and construction of state-of-the-art technologies in computing, networking and data infrastructure as well as developing, integrating, and validating software applications, services and products. All this is done while ensuring interoperability, security and compliance with relevant NATO policies and regulations. The branch has the following sections:
   • Software Development and Data Management Section
   • Scientific CIS Section

The position is within the Ocean Engineering Dev Cell of the Ocean Engineering Section.

2. PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Cell Head, working with some grade of autonomy, or participating in working groups or project teams, the Incumbents will be responsible for the provision of Technical Services within the Engineering and Information Technology Department.

Duties will include the following:

• Assemble, repair, and maintain mechanical, electromechanical and hydraulic equipment, as part of underwater acoustic and oceanographic systems and/or Ship deck systems.
• Manufacture mechanical parts and subassemblies, using common machinery, tools and techniques, following drawings, sketches or general indications from Technicians and Engineers.
• Assist during factory, harbour and sea tests of mechanical, electromechanical and hydraulic systems.
• Provide support to CMRE’s Sea Trials, from the logistic (preparation) and operational (work at sea) point of view.
• Maintain and operate workshop machinery (e.g., lathes, milling machines, and welding tools).
• Assist and participate, sharing their skills and experience with Peers and Supervisors, in the preliminary design of new instruments and equipment.

3. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES

a. Flexibility Clause

The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as directed.

As required by the Program of Work, the incumbent may be asked to participate in working groups or project teams, and to coordinate and organize the work of other technicians and craftspersons.

All other related duties should correspond with the required competencies for the job.

b. Deployment/Travel

The incumbent may be required to perform duties on-board Centre or chartered vessels. The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments within and outside NATO boundaries.

c. Certification

The incumbent needs to hold a fit for sea certificate in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) standards before taking up duty.

4. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional/Experience

• Experience as Mechanical Craftsperson in the manufacturing, integration and development of prototype/custom components and systems.
• Familiarity with reading technical drawings.
• Ability to operate mechanical tools like:
  • Lathes.
  • Milling machines.
  • Radial and vertical drills.
  • Metalworking tools (e.g., bender, rolling machine, shears, horizontal and vertical band saw).
  • Welding machines and skills in the following welding techniques: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW/Stick), Oxyacetylene Welding (OAW), and Plasma Arc Welding (PAW).

b. Education/Training

• A secondary educational qualification and at least 8 years of post-related experience in Mechanical (or equivalent related field)

Or

• Higher vocational training leading to a professional qualification or accreditation in Mechanical (or equivalent related field) and at least 5 years of post-related experience.

c. Language Requirements

A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.

English SLP 3333 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

NOTE: Most of the work of CMRE is conducted in the English language.

5. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional/Experience

• Working experience as Mechanical Craftsperson producing and maintaining underwater or marine equipment and systems.
• Working experience as Mechanical Craftsperson producing and maintaining hydraulic systems.
• Ability to operate CNC machines.
• Elementary knowledge of computer applications in support of Mechanical Design and Modelling (CAD).
• Relevant experience in participation to technical experimentations and/or operations on field.
• Experience on board Vessels/Boats, participating in ocean engineering, research, or other marine and underwater operations.
• Experience in an International working environment.

b. Education/Training

• Completed Vocational Training, leading to a formal qualification in post-related aspects (e.g., welding, machining).

c. Language Requirements

• Italian SLP 2222 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

6. ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate possess the following competencies / personal attributes:

• Good communication skills, both oral and written – able to communicate at all levels;
• Very good interpersonal skills. Solicits inputs and encourages others;
• Proactive, innovative and driven. Always displaying sound judgement;
• Excellent time management and organizational skills;
• Be able to develop and apply specialist and detailed technical expertise and to use technology to achieve work objectives;
• Be able to maintain a positive outlook at work and work productively when under pressure;
• Be able to adapt to changing circumstances.

All CMRE personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.

7. REMARKS

The duties are performed in an office, laboratory, workshop environment or on-board Centre ships. Slightly undesirable working conditions may apply.

__________________________

About Us:

The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is part of the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO). The mission of the STO is to help position both national and NATO science and technology investments as a strategic enabler and technology advantage for the defence and security posture of NATO Allies and partners. The Centre conducts scientific research and technology development and delivers innovative field-tested S&T solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance. CMRE has more than 60 years of experience and has produced a cadre of leaders in ocean science, modelling and simulation, acoustics and other disciplines, as well as producing critical results and understanding that have been built into the operational concepts of NATO and the Nations.

What we offer:

• Salary (Pay Basis): 3,922.65 (EUR) Monthly (Salary value as per 2025. Subject to future adjustments in accordance with North Atlantic Council decisions).
• Grade ABCL grade C6 / NATO grade G9
• A world class research facility located in the sea port of La Spezia, Italy supported by two specialised research vessels.
• An exciting place in which to work situated at an ideal location, the port of La Spezia, Italy, enabling synergy with regional and global academic institutes and industry.
• Salary and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR), which includes a rewarding salary and a comprehensive system of allowances, supplements and insurances to support families and, in case of expatriated staff, offers an interesting “expatriate” package.
• A generous annual leave and, (where eligible) home leave.
• The successful candidate will be offered a three years’ definite duration contract which may be renewed for subsequent periods subject to business needs, satisfactory performance and the need to rotate skills and talent within the Organization.
• Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

Our recruitment process:

• Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.
• Applications (including the most relevant publications, the diplomas – stating the highest level of education – and a CV) for this vacancy are to be submitted using the E-recruitment system;
• Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the CMRE Medical Adviser.

Additional information:

• CMRE values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We welcome applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourage women to apply.
• Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

For more information on how to apply:

How to apply for posts within NATO

6 tips to apply for posts within NATO

NOTE:

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

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