Security Operations Centre (SOC) Operator

[1] The place of employment is subject to changes in the interest of the service and always under due consideration of the Staff Member’s interests. [2] Possibility of renewal for a fixed period and a further renewal for an indefinite period on the conditions set out in the Staff Regulations and in the Conditions of Employment for Other Servants [3] The organisational department and the hierarchical reporting line may change in line with the developments of the EUSPA and department’s organisation. [4] The successful candidate shall be able and willing to apply for a personnel security clearance at the level defined above immediately after the contract signature or at a later stage. The procedure for obtaining a personnel security clearance shall be initiated on request of the employer only, and not by the individual candidate. Description of the EU classified information levels is available here.

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) provides safe, secure, and innovative satellite navigation and communication services for Europe. We advance the commercialisation of Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), and Copernicus data and services, while engaging in secure SATCOM (GOVSATCOM & IRIS²), and operating the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Front-Desk. Our work strengthens European autonomy in space technologies, fosters innovation, and supports critical sectors such as transport, agriculture, and economic development across the EU. For more information on the EUSPA and the EU Space Programme, click here.

At EUSPA, we aim for our workforce to be representative of European society and strongly welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We actively seek to create a workplace where each staff member feels valued and respected, can give their best and can develop to their full potential. We believe that diversity drives excellence, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to our shared mission.

To promote diversity and establish a geographically balanced pool of candidates, we strongly encourage applicants from Member States which are lesser represented in the Agency workforce to apply. These Member States are currently Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden. Recruitment will however remain strictly based on the merits of all applicants and no advantage will be given and no positions will be reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.

The Security Operations and Monitoring Department (SOM) undertakes security operations (incl. security monitoring and cyber-defence at the Security Operations Centre and Public Regulated Service (PRS) provision) and monitoring (incl. performance assessment) of all ground and space elements of the Union Space Programme component. It will ensure the readiness of the corresponding operational teams and infrastructure through the continuous operations of the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC) and the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) facilities, with the support of teams from other departments, to ensure the daily effective implementation of the Security Operations and Monitoring functions.

The job holder is expected to relocate to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, one of the more affluent suburbs of Paris. However, frequent missions and possible temporary detachment to GSMC Backup site (Madrid, Spain) or GRC (Noordwijk, The Netherlands), and occasional travel to Brussels (Belgium) and Prague (Czech Republic) and other locations are foreseen for this post.

We are looking for a Security Operations Centre (SOC) Operator, who will work in a 24/7 shift duty roster to primarily ensure the duties in line with EU Space Programme Regulation (EU) 2021/696 and the Council decision (CFSP) 2021/698⁵ for: 

• Security monitoring and detection in the SOC of the GSMC (SOC Tier 1 analyst);
• Security incident response in the SOC of the GSMC (SOC Tier 2 analyst).

In addition, the job holder will also contribute to ensuring the provision of governmental services (including PRS).

The successful candidate will be required to obtain a SECRET UE/EU SECRET personal security clearance prior to undergoing training and certification for their operational role, and to maintain their technical competencies and certification (internal and external) as part of the ongoing duties.

The job holder will be entrusted with the following main tasks and responsibilities:

1. Security monitoring and incident handling

• Monitor the security and system status of the Components of the Union Space Programme included in the GSMC SOC perimeter; ensure registration, triage and analysis of security alerts and notifications, as per Security Operational Procedures (SOPs), draw initial assessment and propose non-security-relevant events for closure (SOC Tier 1 analysts);
• Handle and investigate potential security incidents escalated by Tier 1, including determination of scope and impact, coordination with relevant operational stakeholders, definition of preliminary response actions and escalation of incidents to higher tiers when required (SOC Tier 2 analysts).

2. Incident escalation and crisis management

• Contribute to official recommendations provided to the EU decision-making bodies on the continuity of services, including actions required to maintain it, supporting the Crisis Management and implementing the instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

3. Contribute to continuous improvement and operational readiness 

• Participate and contribute to the review and update of incident handling, lessons learnt, continuous improvement and risk and vulnerability management;
• Investigate any degradation of the SOC and governmental services and process the system anomalies and notifications to Competent PRS Authorities when required;
• Support the development, improvement and evolution of the Security Operation Centre, PRS access and Council Decision 698’s operational procedures;
• Support the validation of the new releases of operational equipment and new service milestones.

4. Support and coordination activities

• Contribute to ensuring the timely execution of Governmental services procedures, delivery of access and deconfliction management (PRS being currently the main service to be provided), and supervision of the health status of Galileo system PRS Signal in Space;
• Liaise with other EUSPA departments, notably in the area of Administration, to ensure the execution of related corporate tasks, such as planning, reporting, administration, financial budget management, risk management, when needed;
• Contribute to other tasks of the SOM department or of the GSMC, as necessary.

The job holder will be required to work on systems deployed at GSMC as part of a 24/7 shift working and stand-by duty roster in line with EUSPA’s applicable rules.

Prior to certification and shift operations, the role will be primarily a normal ‘day-time’ job contributing to the development of operations.

---

[5] Council decision (CFSP) 2021/698 of 30 April 2021 on the security of systems and services deployed, operated and used under the Union Space Programme which may affect the security of the Union.

We welcome applications from all candidates who meet the following eligibility criteria, on the closing date for application:

1. Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies⁶ of at least three years attested by a diploma
2. Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland or Norway      
3. Be entitled to their full rights as citizen
4. Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service
5. Meet the character requirements for the duties involved⁷
6. Have a thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of one of the languages of the European Union⁸ and a satisfactory knowledge (minimum B2 level) of another language of the European Union⁸
7. Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post⁹

Contract agents from EUSPA and other EU agencies are also invited to apply in accordance with the following EUSPA rules:
https://www.euspa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-04/conditions_of_employment_of_contract_staff_ca.pdf

---

[6] Only study titles that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are subject to the equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration. Qualifications/diplomas awarded in the United Kingdom until 31/12/2020 are accepted without further recognition. For diplomas awarded in the United Kingdom after this date (from 01/01/2021), a NARIC recognition is required: https://www.enic-naric.net/ 
[7] Prior to the appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a Police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record.
[8] The languages of the EU are: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish. The level shall be determined according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 
[9] Before a successful candidate can be appointed, they will be medically examined by a selected medical service so that the Agency will be satisfied that they fulfil the requirement of Article 28(e) of the Staff Regulation of Officials of the European Communities.

All eligible applications that meet the criteria outlined above will be fairly and objectively assessed against the selection criteria based solely on the information candidates provide in their applications. The Selection Board responsible for this selection will determine the criteria to be assessed in the various phases of the selection procedure (assessment of the application forms, interview and written test) prior to being granted access to the names of the applicants.

The selection is based on a comparative assessment of eligible candidates against all the selection criteria. Even candidates who do not excel in every single criterion may still be successful in the overall assessment and are therefore encouraged to apply.

When completing the online application, please clearly highlight your relevant skills and experiences that demonstrate how your profile aligns with the requirements below.

Professional experience and expertise

1. Proven knowledge or experience in security monitoring, alert triage or incident handling in a Security Operations Center (SOC) or similar operational environment using security technologies such as SIEMs, XDRs or SOAR;
2. Previous operational experience in one of the following domains:
   - cyber defence areas, including cyber threat intelligence, forensic or malware analysis, vulnerability management and cyber risk management;
   - system administration, network management and operations of IT systems;
3. Experience in working on 24/7 shifts or on-call/stand-by in a technical or operational environment;
4. Experience in financial, procurement and contract management will be considered as an advantage;
5. Excellent command of both written and spoken English;

Required competencies

6. Motivation for the post;
7. Effective communication;
8. Transversal collaboration and working in teams;
9. Customer focus and service orientation, including ability to interact with stakeholders;
10. Result orientation, prioritising and organising.

We warmly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, experiences, and identities to apply. Your unique perspective and talents are valued and essential to our success.

The current vacancy aims to fill 2 (two) posts and establish a reserve list. The established reserve list may be used for another current or future site of the Agency.

A detailed description of the selection process is available here.

The interview and written test are currently scheduled for March/April 2026; however the date may be adjusted based on the availability of the Selection Board members.

To ensure a fair and transparent process for all candidates, direct or indirect contact with Selection Board members is not permitted. Any breach of this rule will result in disqualification from the selection procedure. Any questions regarding the selection procedure should be addressed only to: jobs@euspa.europa.eu.

In addition, candidates having any personal relationship within the EUSPA shall declare such situation to jobs@euspa.europa.eu.

To apply for this position, candidates need to create an account and register through the EUSPA e-recruitment tool.

Please note that only applications submitted via the e-recruitment tool will be accepted. Applications sent by email or post cannot be considered.

To ensure fairness, submitting multiple applications for the same position using different accounts will result in exclusion from the selection procedure.

Important: The information you provide in your online application is the sole basis for assessing your eligibility and matching your profile to the selection criteria. We encourage you to carefully review the requirements and provide detailed, clear information — especially regarding your education and professional experience. Include exact dates, descriptions of your responsibilities, and duties performed to help us understand your qualifications and experience fully. It is your responsibility to complete the application accurately and thoroughly, avoiding any unclear information or typographical errors.

To facilitate the selection process, please complete all sections of the application in English.

Applications must be received by the closing date specified in the vacancy notice to be considered. We recommend submitting your application well before the deadline to avoid any technical issues, as the Agency cannot be held responsible for last-minute problems with the e-recruitment tool, especially during periods of high traffic.

If you require technical support, please send your request to jobs@euspa.europa.eu at least two working days before the application deadline. Requests received later may not be addressed in time.

For detailed instructions on completing your application, please consult the e-recruitment guideline.

If you have any questions about the selection procedure, feel free to contact us at jobs@euspa.europa.eu. We are here to support you throughout the process.

If a candidate considers that they have been adversely affected by a particular decision, they can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Union; submit a judicial appeal under Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (ex Art. 236 of the EC Treaty) and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union; or make a complaint to the European Ombudsman.

Details on how to initiate these processes are available here.

FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENTS

The remuneration includes a basic monthly salary¹⁰ along with any applicable additional allowances¹¹ as well as reimbursements¹² for eligible expenses upon submission of evidence.

The total of your basic salary and any allowances is adjusted according to a correction coefficient based on the location of the post¹³. The sum of standard social security deductions from salary at source is subtracted from the weighted amount¹⁴.  Please note that while the full pay is exempt from national income tax, it is subject to internal income tax and a solidarity levy as per applicable regulations¹⁵.

We ensure transparency and fairness in our compensation, supporting all employees equitably (zero pay gap).

Examples of net monthly salaries (as currently applicable in France) are presented below:

FG IV 13 (less than 5 years of work experience after the relevant diploma)16
a) Minimum final net salary (without any allowances)	b) Final net salary with expatriation and shift allowance	c) Final net salary with expatriation, shift, household and 1 dependent child allowance
4,264.98 EUR	5,974.65 EUR	7,209.93 EUR

 

FG IV 14 (between 5 and 17 years ​of work experience after the relevant diploma)16
a) Minimum final net salary (without any allowances)	b) Final net salary with expatriation and shift allowance	c) Final net salary with expatriation, shift, household and 1 dependent child allowance
4,480.40 EUR	6,576.26 EUR	7,840.27 EUR

 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND BENEFITS

Discover our comprehensive welfare package designed to support your well-being and career growth. It includes generous leave entitlements, social security benefits, and professional development opportunities—all thoughtfully designed to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. Learn more about how we invest in our people here.

INTERNAL AND INTERAGENCY MOBILITY

Please note that in case the selected candidate can benefit from the internal or interagency mobility, a contract of employment will be concluded in accordance with the applicable EUSPA rules.

---

[10] As per Articles 92 and 93 CEOS.
[11] Household allowance (e.g. if you have a dependent child or you are married and your spouse's income is below a defined threshold); Dependent child allowance (e.g. if you have a child under the age of 18 or between 18 and 26, if in specified training programme); Education allowances (in very specific cases) or Payment of the education fees applicable to the educational institutions EUSPA has an agreement with (currently more than 18 international schools in the Czech Republic and Spain, and European Schools in France and in the Netherlands); Expatriation allowance (16% of the sum of basic salary and other applicable allowances). Shift allowance: The on-shift operators are regularly required to work in three shifts, one of them at night, and including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Therefore, operators are entitled to an on-shift allowance laid down in Article 56a of the Staff Regulations. The allowance is calculated in line with the terms and conditions laid down in Council Regulation No 300/76. The allowance corresponds to the amount laid down in the fourth indent of Article 1(1) of that Regulation. The on-shift allowances are €1,180.84 per month, subject to correction coefficient and taxation. The shift allowance will be paid only after the inclusion in the GSMC shift roster (subject to successfully obtaining the internal certification).
[12] If the staff member is requested to change the residence in order to take up duties, they will be entitled to: reimbursement of the travel costs; temporary daily subsistence allowance (EUR 55.40 for up to 180 days, with dependents; or EUR 44.68 for up to 120 days, if no dependents); installation allowance (depending on the personal situation, 1 or 2 months of the basic salary – paid upon successful completion of the nine-month probationary period).
[13] Currently correction coefficients for the EUSPA duty locations are: 91,2% for CZ, 113,6% for FR, 113,2% for NL, 92,4% for ES. The coefficient is updated every year, with retroactive effect from 1 July. 
[14]  Pension (12.10%); health insurance (1.70%); accident cover (0.10%); unemployment insurance (0.51%).
[15] Currently: income tax: tax levied progressively at a rate of between 8% and 45% of the taxable portion of the salary; solidarity levy: 6%.
[16] Kindly note that the numbers in examples b) and c) are indicative and net monthly remuneration varies depending on the personal, life and social situation of the incumbent. The various components of the remuneration are updated every year, with retroactive effect from 1 July.

Commitment to Serving the Public Interest with Integrity

All jobholders will be asked to affirm their commitment to act independently and in the public interest. They will also be required to declare any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their impartiality.

In carrying out their duties, jobholders are expected to act solely in the interests of the European Union, maintaining objectivity, impartiality, and loyalty. They must not seek or accept instructions from any external government, authority, organisation, or individual outside their institution.

Commitment to Equal Opportunities

The Agency is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and warmly welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, free from discrimination. We believe that diversity enriches our work and strengthens our mission to serve the European Union effectively.

The personal data requested from applicants will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) N° 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, officers and agencies and on the free movement of such data (repealing Regulation (EC) N° 45/2001 and Decision N° 1247/2002/EC) and the applicable privacy statement which can be accessed here.