Senior Cyber Security Engineer
- Civil Service
- Part Time
- London
- 64,005 - 66,332
Job Description
Job summary
MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing, and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you'll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.
Job description
As a Senior Cyber Security Engineer, you'll play a central role in protecting the organisation's digital products, embedding security into how systems are designed and built. The role combines engineering and security expertise, applying practical skills to identify weaknesses, validate controls and help teams deliver secure, resilient systems from the outset.
Working within a highly collaborative environment, youll contribute to organisation-wide security capability, tackling complex challenges across a diverse and evolving technology landscape. Early engagement in the development lifecycle is vital, shaping design decisions, influencing architecture and ensuring security is integrated into modern engineering practices.
This role combines technical depth with real influence. Threat modelling, vulnerability assessment and security testing form a core part of the work, applying an adversarial mindset to uncover risks. Just as important is working directly with engineers, architects and stakeholders to resolve those risks, improve practices and raise the organisation's overall security maturity.
Youll take a "purple team" approach, combining elements of red team testing and defensive security identifying vulnerabilities and working with teams to fix them, building better, more secure systems.
The role also extends to the wider direction of security engineering: supporting less experienced colleagues, influencing technical decisions and helping stakeholders understand risk, trade-offs and priorities. With a high degree of autonomy, you'll take ownership of complex problems and play a key role in how security is delivered across the organisation.
Person specification
Youll bring practical experience in a security-focused role, such as cyber security engineering, penetration testing or a closely related technical discipline. This could be supported by a STEM degree with relevant experience, or a technical role with a strong security focus.
Experience with real-world systems is essential, identifying and solving security issues, alongside a solid understanding of core security principles such as Secure by Design. You'll have applied techniques such as threat modelling, vulnerability assessment or security testing, and be confident thinking critically about how systems can be exploited and secured.
You communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and are comfortable working collaboratively to resolve issues. Curious and pragmatic, youre motivated to keep learning and apply your expertise to complex, high-impact challenges.
