Micheal Paynter
Kirkcudbright,Dumfries and Galloway
Summary
Extensive 24 years’ experience delivering secure voice, video, and data services within the British Army across headquarters, deployed, and multinational environments. Specialist in designing, integrating, and supporting voice and data platforms, including VTC platforms, Cisco networks, and secure IP infrastructures using TLS, PKI, and IP Sec.
Proven ability in system installation, integration builds, troubleshooting, and 2nd/3rd line support for mission-critical collaboration services, with strong focus on service continuity, performance optimisation, and user support.
Extensive experience operating classified and high-assurance networks in alignment with security standards. Trusted technical lead, combining hands-on engineering expertise with executive team leadership and senior advisory to the Commanding Officer (BU Owner).
Extensive NATO and deployed experience with over 2000 days in operational environments, including Afghanistan, Qatar, Bosnia, Kosovo, and the Falklands. Leading complex operation CIS systems and proven ability to operate effectively in multinational and NATO-aligned operations, delivering results under pressure.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work history
UHF/EHF Engineer
NATO
SHAPE Mons, Belgium
2026.01 - Current
- Provide O\&M support for EHF/UHF SATCOM systems, including static sites, tactical terminals, and site-specific equipment racks.
- Configure and maintain SATCOM systems (including EHF racks, UHF systems, audio matrix equipment).
- Maintain the UHF/EHF operational database for NATO users.
- Provide second-level technical support for faults, outages, and escalated issues.
- Conduct fault analysis, incident resolution, and trend analysis, proposing corrective actions and preventive measures.
- Maintain operational manuals and configuration control documentation.
- Deliver monthly system reports summarizing activities, incidents, risks, and recommendations.
- Liaise with NCIA program managers and operations teams to support project and urgent requirements.
- Provide technical input for inspections, enhancements, and configuration change proposals. Support service improvement initiatives aligned with modernization programs.
Regimental Sergeant Major
British Army
Glasgow, Scotland
2023.01 - 2026.01
- Senior technical and operations advisor to Commanding Officer for communications security, information assurance, and service continuity across five geographically dispersed sites.
- Oversaw governance, readiness, and secure operation of critical voice, video teleconferencing (VTC), and CIS services supporting 300+ users and national strategic assets.
- Directed risk management and compliance of classified systems and networks, ensuring adherence to MOD and national security policies.
- Coordinated maintenance windows, upgrades, and operational changes to minimise service disruption to Operational communications.
- Led incident response and resolution for personnel, infrastructure, and information security issues affecting operational capability and physical security.
- Mentored and supervised technical staff, promoting best practice in secure communications and system reliability.
Squadron Sergeant Major
British Army
Tidworth, England
2020.08 - 2026.01
- Senior technical and supervisory lead for Communications and Information Systems (CIS) delivery supporting 120 personnel across headquarters and deployed environments.
- Directed installation, configuration, and sustainment of secure voice, video teleconferencing (VTC), telephony, satellite, radio, and IP network services to enable reliable command and collaboration systems.
- Planned and coordinated deployment of communication infrastructure and classified equipment, ensuring systems were integrated, tested, and operationally ready prior to go-live.
- Provided hands-on support and escalation for complex faults, troubleshooting network, bearer, and end-user device issues to maintain service availability.
- Managed routine maintenance, configuration changes, and equipment upgrades to improve resilience and performance of collaboration services.
- Enforced security compliance and information assurance controls across voice and data platforms in accordance with MOD and National standards.
- Supervised and mentored technical operators/engineers, providing training on system operation, fault diagnosis, and best practices.
- Coordinated with stakeholders to schedule installations, maintenance, and service interruptions with minimal operational impact.
Regimental Operations Staff Sergeant
British Army
London, England
2017.09 - 2020.08
- Technical lead for planning, deployment, integration, and sustainment of secure Communications and Information Systems (CIS) supporting 300+ user regimental headquarters.
- Installed, configured, and maintained voice, video teleconferencing (VTC), telephony, radio, satellite, and IP data services to enable reliable collaboration across fixed and deployed sites.
- Managed system builds, equipment configuration, and acceptance testing of new or upgraded communication capabilities prior to operational release.
- Provided 2nd/3rd line technical support, diagnosing and resolving network quality of service faults to restore critical communications rapidly.
- Monitored system performance and availability, conducting preventative maintenance and service continuity improvements to minimise downtime.
- Implemented security controls and configuration baselines for classified networks, ensuring compliance with MOD and National information assurance policies.
- Produced technical documentation including network diagrams, configuration records, and operating procedures.
- Coordinated change activities, upgrades, and scheduled maintenance with stakeholders to reduce operational impact.
- Delivered user guidance and training on communication and collaboration systems.
Brigade Foreman of Signals
British Army
FOB Bastion, Afghanistan
2014.02 - 2014.09
- Technical lead for deployment and relocation of operations Task Force Headquarters communications estate, providing 200+ operational personnel CIS services, including secure voice and high-classification VTC systems.
- Designed and executed installation, integration, and commissioning of all CIS infrastructure.
- Managed classified networks and services up to above Top Secret, ensuring availability, security, and resilience.
- Provided advanced troubleshooting and up to forth-line technical support to operational users.
Communications System Technician (Early Years)
British Army
Various, Various
2002.04 - 2017.09
- Trained and employed as Communications Systems Technician delivering installation, configuration, integration, and maintenance of secure voice, video, and data communication systems in peacetime and kinetic operations.
- Provided end-to-end service delivery and support across satellite, radio, PSTN, IP, and mobile network infrastructures.
- Installed and maintained voice and video teleconferencing (VTC) platforms, telephony services, and deployable collaboration systems in both fixed and field environments.
- Conducted fault diagnosis, troubleshooting, and performance optimisation to maintain high availability of operational communications.
- Configured and calibrated communications equipment, terminals, and network components to meet technical and security standards.
- Supported users directly, resolving incidents and service requests in line with agreed procedures and SLAs.
- Worked with secure and classified systems, applying cryptographic, physical, and information assurance controls.
- Contributed to system upgrades, integration builds, and acceptance testing of new communication capabilities.
Education
Foundation Degree in Science - Telecommunication
Bournemouth University
Bournemouth 2009.03 - 2010.10
Foundation Degree in Science - Telecommunication Managment
Bournemouth University
Bournemouth 2010.11 - 2011.09
ITIL Foundation V4 -
IT Learning
United KingdomPRINCE2 Practitioner -
IT Learning
United KingdomNVQ Level 5 - Strategic Leadership and Management
ILM
United KingdomSkills
- Collaboration & Voice Technologies
- Voice & Video Teleconferencing (VTC) systems design, deployment, and support
- SIP, H323, PSTN, ISDN signaling and call control
- Unified communications, secure telephony, and enterprise collaboration platforms
- Endpoint configuration, codec integration, and meeting room systems Network & Infrastructure
- Cisco routing and switching (CCNA level), IP networking, VLANs, QoS
- WAN/LAN, satellite, radio, and mobile bearer systems
- IP tunnelling, IP crypto, VPNs, and secure transport architectures
- Virtualisation platforms and cloud-hosted services Security & Information Assurance
- TLS, PKI, IPSec, cryptographic devices, secure voice architectures
- Operation of classified and high-assurance networks (up to Top Secret)
- Configuration baselines, hardening, and compliance with NATO and MOD security policies
- Systems Engineering & Support
- Systems installation, integration builds, and acceptance testing
- Configuration management and technical documentation (network diagrams, baselines, SOPs)
- 2nd/3rd line support, incident response, fault diagnosis, and service restoration
- Monitoring, performance analysis, and service continuity improvement
- Change management and scheduled maintenance planning Tools & Scripting
- Monitoring and logging platforms
- Python scripting and automation
- Serial/legacy protocols (RS232) and hardware interface troubleshooting Military / Deployable CIS Platforms
- Ptarmigan, Clansman, Bowman, Falcon, Reacher and other deployable communications systems
- Rapid installation and sustainment of expeditionary HQ voice, data, and VTC infrastructures
Languages
English
Native
Affiliations
- Adventure Sports
- Cycling
- Exploring
- Fitness
- Rock Climbing
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
UHF/EHF Engineer
NATO
2026.01 - Current
Regimental Sergeant Major
British Army
2023.01 - 2026.01
Squadron Sergeant Major
British Army
2020.08 - 2026.01
Regimental Operations Staff Sergeant
British Army
2017.09 - 2020.08
Brigade Foreman of Signals
British Army
2014.02 - 2014.09
Foundation Degree in Science - Telecommunication Managment
Bournemouth University
2010.11 - 2011.09
Foundation Degree in Science - Telecommunication
Bournemouth University
2009.03 - 2010.10
Communications System Technician (Early Years)
British Army
2002.04 - 2017.09
ITIL Foundation V4 -
IT Learning
PRINCE2 Practitioner -
IT Learning
NVQ Level 5 - Strategic Leadership and Management
ILM