Field Service Engineer

The Dutch Ministry of Defence is looking for a Field Service Engineer to keep its critical IT networks up and running. The role sits within Platform Services Defensie, focusing on the Netherlands Armed Forces Integrated Network (NAFIN). It’s an onsite position based in Huis ter Heide, with occasional work at Defensie locations across the Netherlands and occasional international assignments. This job will suit someone who enjoys practical networking, hands-on problem solving, and collaboration with multidisciplinary IT colleagues in a security-minded environment.

As a Field Service Engineer, you’ll contribute to reliable, secure network connectivity for staff in offices, personnel during exercises, and troops on operations. You’ll be part of a team that ensures 24/7 access to core network services for Defensie units and for other ministeries and government organizations with key societal roles. The work is varied and technical, combining installation, maintenance, incident response, and ongoing lifecycle activities on a high-security network in a professional setting.

Making the network work on the defense side

Within Platform Services Defensie, you’ll help manage and evolve the Netherlands Armed Forces Integrated Network (NAFIN). Your daily tasks will revolve around installing, maintaining and administering network infrastructure, covering LAN, WAN and wireless environments. You’ll support lifecycle projects, migrations and replacements, and you’ll investigate and resolve network incidents to keep services available. You’ll collaborate with fellow engineers, planners and administrators to sustain continuous service and will be involved in coordinating field work and scheduling for the Field Service team. On some days you’ll perform on-site installations or migrations, while other days are spent troubleshooting or performing lifecycle-related work at Defensie locations in the Netherlands, with occasional travel abroad.

Alongside technical duties, you’ll also handle administrative tasks for completed work and contribute to cross-team efforts that ensure the continuity of defense IT services. The role sometimes requires you to wear company clothing and participate in on-call duties through consignatiediensten when necessary.

What we need from you

We’re looking for practical, curious IT professionals who enjoy working with networks and bringing technical ideas into real-world use. You should work with care, focus on practical solutions, and feel comfortable in a setting where teamwork, responsibility, and flexibility matter.

• Holding an MBO level 4 qualification, ideally with a focus on Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications or a comparable field
• A genuine interest in network management and IT infrastructure
• Preferably some hands-on experience in ICT or networking
• Strong planning and organisational abilities
• Willingness to participate in on-call shifts and to travel occasionally
• A driving license category B

Certifications such as NEN3140 VP, VCA and ESD are desirable. If you don’t already hold them, you should be prepared to obtain them in the near term. Having experience with one or more of the following technologies would be a plus: CCNA Routing & Switching, Nokia DWDM/IP-MPLS, Extreme Networks Routing & Switching, Cisco Wireless Networking, and Eaton UPS systems. The role also carries a prominent responsibility for Field Service manplanning in addition to core field work.

Compensation, benefits and practical details

Salary is offered on a yearly basis, with a range of 164,850.00 EUR to 228,400.00 EUR, reflecting a full-time load of 38 hours per week. The position is a temporary appointment with the prospect of a permanent arrangement. The standplaats is Huis ter Heide, and you’ll have access to a company vehicle for field work. In addition to the pay, the Defence department emphasizes personal growth with strong study facilities to help you progress. There is an Individual Generous Budget built into your package (16.33% of your gross salary each month) that you can use for extra leave or other fiscal purposes. You’ll also receive a pension through ABP, plus a monthly allowance for commuting or the option to choose favorable terms for an unlimited nationwide OV travel pass.

In this role, you’ll regularly visit work locations and wear the standard Defence uniform. Light physical tasks may be part of the day, and on-call shifts may come up as part of consignatiediensten. The organisation places importance on a diverse and inclusive workforce and supports development opportunities across the civilian and military sides of Defensie.

Tips to help you stand out

Lead your resume with your MBO 4 ICT background and any hands-on networking experience you have, especially in LAN, WAN and wireless environments. Pair that with concrete examples of on-site installations, migrations, or incident resolutions to demonstrate you can operate in a high-security, multi-stakeholder environment.

When you describe your must-have skills, cite specific projects or tasks that show your planning abilities, how you organised work across teams, and your readiness for on-call duties and travel. If you have relevant certifications, note them and, if you don’t yet hold them, mention your plan to obtain them soon.

Be prepared to discuss how you’ve handled fluctuating priorities and incident response in a network environment. Think of a concrete scenario where you diagnosed a fault, coordinated with planners, and completed a lifecycle activity or migration while keeping stakeholders informed.

Consider asking about how the Field Service team structures manplanning and how PSD collaborates with other units on major network deployments. A good question could be about typical defense network incidents you’d be addressing and the kinds of projects currently in the pipeline for the NAFIN environment.

How to apply

For more information about the vacancy, you can contact Marius Hoekveld, IT Manager Field Services, at [email protected].

For details on the application process, reach out to Mariette Wijnstra, Recruitment Advisor HR, at [email protected].