A national technical and tactical support unit within federal law enforcement develops and operates specialised systems used for lawful telecommunications interception and tactical deployments. This Senior System Engineer role exists to build and maintain Linux-based server infrastructure and virtualised platforms, with a strong focus on VMware virtualization and Infrastructure as Code to automate deployments.
The mission
The team supports real-time interception and observation systems used in judicial investigations, handling sensitive data and systems that must remain available and secure 24/7. The technical landscape is mixed Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, RedHat) and Windows servers, VMware hypervisors, and bespoke interception appliances; the work affects operational units nationwide and must meet strict compliance and audit requirements.
You will join a small engineering team responsible for both the ongoing production environment and a parallel programme to replace and modernise core infrastructure over the next 12 to 24 months. As a senior system engineer you will design and implement hypervisor upgrades, automate VMware deployments with Infrastructure as Code, and produce operational procedures so operators and on-call staff can run the services safely and reliably.
Your responsibilities
- Manage and improve virtualisation platforms, ensuring hypervisors meet capacity and security requirements and reducing planned downtime.
- Configure, deploy and harden Linux servers (Ubuntu, Debian, RedHat) to meet operational and compliance standards.
- Ensure system availability and performance through monitoring, tuning and incident remediation, reducing mean time to recovery for critical services.
- Implement Infrastructure as Code to automate VMware deployments and repeatable server builds.
- Produce and maintain clear technical documentation and runbooks for installations, maintenance and audits.
- Investigate complex system incidents, propose pragmatic improvements and lead change-through on agreed projects.
Your profile
Essential skills
- 10+ years hands-on experience as a system administrator or system engineer, with at least 5 years managing production operating systems.
- Deep Linux administration skills across Ubuntu, Debian and RedHat.
- Proven experience with VMware virtualization and related management tools.
- Practical experience with Infrastructure as Code to automate VMware deployments.
- Solid understanding of mobile telecommunications technologies as they relate to interception systems.
- Strong analytical approach, ability to assess operational risk and work under pressure while maintaining discretion.
- TOP SECRET security clearance required or eligible to obtain.
Languages
- Dutch: C1 (or French C1 if Dutch is B2).
- French: C1 (or Dutch C1 if French is B2).
- English: B2, technical proficiency.
Education
- Bachelor degree in IT, computer science or equivalent professional experience (5 to 10 years relevant experience accepted).