The Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

In a more dangerous and competitive security environment, NATO continues to do everything that is needed to keep one billion people across Europe and North America safe. We are strengthening our defences, responding swiftly and decisively to threats to our security, and working together – as allies and partners – to protect our freedom and shared interests.

We are launching an accelerator for your international career – the fourth cycle of our Young Professionals Programme (YPP). Through this global three-year programme, you will experience the frontline of a political and military alliance and start a journey of personal and professional development in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Together, we will ensure NATO continues to:

• respond with unity, strength and resolve to growing dangers to our security across the Euro-Atlantic area and in all domains – land, sea, air, space and cyberspace;

• build stronger defences by investing more in defence and accelerating defence production and innovation;

• harness new technologies for our security, and stay ahead in cutting-edge domains such as cyber and space;

• leverage partnerships, including with the European Union, individual countries and the private sector, to protect our freedom and shared interests; and

• contribute to fighting terrorism and rampant instability in NATO’s southern neighbourhood.

Do you want to make a difference and help protect close to one billion people across 32 NATO member states, including your own? If you are ready to take on this challenge, and are a national of a NATO member state, hold a Master’s degree and have at least one year of work experience, then apply for the YPP.

With you, we are stronger.

#WeAreNATO

Your role

During the three years of the programme, you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies:

Year

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

NATO body

Allied Command Transformation (ACT)

NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA)

NATO International Staff (IS) - NATO HQ (Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments Division (D2IA))

Work area

Innovation & Emerging Technology

Innovation & Emerging Technology

Innovation & Emerging Technology

Placement

Norfolk, United States of America

The Hague, The Netherlands

Brussels, Belgium

For more information, please see the path narrative here. You can also find more information about the NATO bodies here & the NATO Young Professionals Programme here.

This is an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills in the broader area of Space Innovation & Engineering. As you gain experience, you will be given increasing responsibilities, such as:

• Work with Allies, the NATO space enterprise and industry to support the development and delivery space capabilities and the implementation;
• Develop research and analysis of new Space technology, with focus on military applications;
• Provide products needed to establish the framework agreements between NATO, Nations and industry on multinational programmes or common-funded programmes;
• Develop and implement policy, doctrine, direction and guidance, etc. in the Space area;
• Understanding and exploitation of benefits offered by Space;
• Contribute to public information efforts that highlight the importance of the space domain for Alliance societies, economies and military;
• Research opportunities for innovation in the Space domain by engaging with innovation stakeholders—within NATO, Allied governments, academia, start-ups, venture investors, and other tech actors—to better understand new trends and technologies and their impact on our political and military objectives;
• Research how our adversaries and competitors may be: (a) developing and leveraging the Space operational domain and new EDTs; and (b) attempting to acquire our own EDTs through licit or illicit means;
• Examine the convergence between different EDTs and their potential impact;
• Support teams at NATO working towards a culture of innovation at NATO by embracing agile approaches to decision-making and seeking to uncover institutional barriers to the Alliance’s tech readiness;
• Establish an understanding of the NATO Enterprise’s ways of working to be able to integrate innovative approaches for NATO stakeholders to adapt to dynamic trends;
• Support and facilitate the discussion, development and implementation of innovative initiatives in the form of policies, processes or technologies;
• Supporting NATO’s efforts in systematically introducing innovation in defence planning and capability development processes and activities in the Space area;
• Contributing to public diplomacy efforts on NATO’s innovation & Space activities, including by reaching communities traditionally thought of as beyond the Alliance’s reach;
• Inform the Strategic Level about military implications of Technological Space Innovation; and,
• Research new trends within the areas of responsibilities of Space, Innovation & EDTs.

Who we are looking for

The changing pace of the world demands that NATO and its people remain flexible, eager to learn and able to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. For a YPP position, we are looking for candidates with at least one year of professional experience.

For the YPP, Space Innovation & Engineering path, we are generally interested in the following educational backgrounds:

• Masters’ degree in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), dedicated Telecommunications/Space Engineering (aerospace, electronic, telecommuniations), Security Studies, International Relations, Political Science or related fields such as Law or Public Administration

• Any other degree that you believe can be useful to the area of Space Engineering, Innovation and Emerging and Disruptive Technologies – let us know how your knowledge and skills can be applied!

Any of the following experience or skills would be considered as an asset:

• Professional experience with Space Engineering, Innovation or policy in the private sector, academia, think-tank and/or government innovation arms in NATO Member or partner countries;

• Knowledge of Space basics (e.g., orbital mechanics, satellite-based products and services, main space programmes and capabilities), Space technologies (especially for Space Situational Awareness, Earth Observation, SATCOM, Navigation) and counter-space technologies;

• Experience with Space programmes involving multiple stakeholders (e.g., industry, nations) in a strategic, technical or business development capacity.

• Strong interest in Space military applications (specifically in the areas of Space Situational Awareness, Space-based ISR / Earth Observation, SATCOM, Navigation)

• Passion for Space innovation projects & policy development that drives change. High motivation to exploit technology and innovative ways of working;

• Technology literacy and an ability to draw strategic implications from technical expert communities;

• Demonstrate strong interest in Space and one of NATO’s identified Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (e.g., for artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, novel materials and advanced manufacturing or next-generation communications networks);

• Interest in novel and non-traditional approaches to defence acquisition, planning and capability development, ideally with an understanding from a national perspective;

• Familiarity with the strategic issues and security challenges facing the Alliance;

• Ability to persuade key stakeholders of strategic implications of technological change, including by translating technical concepts for generalist audiences;

• Experience with one or more data analysis tool (such as Power BI, Matlab, KNIME, Python, VBA) preferably in the context of a project;

• Any additional training/ certification(s) related to Innovation & Emerging Technologies (such as Digital Transformation course, Professional Scrum Course) and project or program management certification;

• Curious & innovative mindset;

• Strong analytical & drafting skills;

• Proactivity, can do attitude & willingness to learn and share information; and,

• Teamwork, excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.

What we offer

NATO will offer the Young Professionals:

• An experience of a lifetime at the forefront of an international organization where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills and expand your professional network;

• A diverse and stimulating work and personal experience where you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies around the globe, one each year; and,

• A competitive salary and other benefits, including excellent health insurance and a generous annual leave package of 30 days

Are you interested in being part of NATO and the YPP?  Apply by 31 May 2026 [23:59 – Brussels time]

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);

• For all other applications: www.nato.int/recruitment

Please note that at the time of the interviews, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of their education and professional experience as relevant for this vacancy.

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 NATO Medical Adviser.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (https://www.nato.int/en/work-with-us/careers).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Building Integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone or e-mail enquiries cannot be dealt with.

The nature of this position may require the staff member at times to be called upon to travel for work and/or to work outside normal office hours.