YPP, Space Innovation & Engineering

The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a global three-year programme that offers an opportunity to experience the frontline of a political and military alliance while embarking on a journey of personal and professional development in a diverse and inclusive work environment.

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

• Year 1 - Allied Command Transformation (ACT) - (Norfolk, United States of America)
• Year 2 - NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) - (The Hague, The Netherlands)
• Year 3 - NATO International Staff (IS) - NATO HQ (Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments Division (D2IA)) - (Brussels, Belgium)

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 of space capabilities and implementation.
• Develop research and analysis of new Space technology, focusing on military applications.
• Provide products needed to establish framework agreements between NATO, Nations and industry on multinational programmes or common-funded programmes.
• Develop and implement policy, doctrine, direction and guidance in the Space area.
• Understand and exploit 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.
• Research how adversaries may be developing and leveraging the Space operational domain and new Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs).
• Examine the convergence between different EDTs and their potential impact.
• Support teams at NATO working towards a culture of innovation by embracing agile approaches to decision-making.
• Establish an understanding of the NATO Enterprise’s ways of working to integrate innovative approaches.
• Support and facilitate the discussion, development and implementation of innovative initiatives.
• Support NATO’s efforts in systematically introducing innovation in defence planning and capability development processes in the Space area.
• Contribute to public diplomacy efforts on NATO’s innovation & Space activities.
• Inform the Strategic Level about military implications of Technological Space Innovation.
• Research new trends within the areas of responsibilities of Space, Innovation & EDTs.

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:

• Master’s degree in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), dedicated Telecommunications/Space Engineering, Security Studies, International Relations, Political Science or related fields.
• Any other degree that can be useful to the area of Space Engineering, Innovation and Emerging and Disruptive Technologies.

Any of the following experience or skills would be considered 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, Space technologies and counter-space technologies.
• Experience with Space programmes involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong interest in Space military applications.
• Passion for Space innovation projects & policy development.
• High motivation to exploit technology and innovative ways of working.
• Technology literacy and ability to draw strategic implications from technical expert communities.
• Demonstrate strong interest in Space and NATO’s identified Emerging and Disruptive Technologies.
• Interest in novel and non-traditional approaches to defence acquisition, planning and capability development.
• Familiarity with the strategic issues and security challenges facing the Alliance.
• Ability to persuade key stakeholders of strategic implications of technological change.
• Experience with data analysis tools.
• Any additional training/certification(s) related to Innovation & Emerging Technologies.
• Curious & innovative mindset.
• Strong analytical & drafting skills.
• Proactivity, can-do attitude & willingness to learn and share information.
• Teamwork, excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.

NATO will offer the Young Professionals:

• An experience of a lifetime at the forefront of an international organization.
• A diverse and stimulating work and personal experience where you will be assigned to three different NATO bodies around the globe.
• 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].

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