Security Architect Cheltenham, England
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About the job
Job summary
Are you an experienced Security Architect, or a Security Engineer, Technical/Cloud Architect keen to move into a Security Architect role? Looking for a unique challenge?
GCHQ is offering an exciting opportunity to come and join our team of experienced technical Security Architects, you’ll consult on the secure design, build, and be involved in the operation of some of the most important systems in the UK.
We work on a wide range of projects critical to our business, helping pioneer a new kind of security to stay ahead of our adversaries. We face a variety of novel and complex technical challenges and with the help of our research teams and through collaboration with our partners, we provide vital up-to-date guidance on the application of cutting-edge technologies.
Job description
You’ll combine broad technical and security skills with strong business acumen, consultancy, and communication skills. We’re looking for people who are experienced in the design and build of a range of systems and services using modern technologies and cloud services. You’ll be able to identify vulnerabilities in systems design and work with Engineers, System Owners, and Seniors to explain these issues and identify alternative approaches.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate and influence widely within the UK Government and beyond. Working with customers as a Security Architect, you’ll take the initiative, in the pursuit to balance security versus agility.
While the role is challenging, our flexible working policy ensures a healthy work-life balance. We accommodate compressed hours, mixed office/home working or job share options, balanced against business needs. We actively support ongoing personal development through training opportunities combined with a strong team dynamic which promotes discussion and sharing of ideas.
Person specification
You’ll have experience analysing customer requirements and making design decisions across a range of technologies and business contexts such as regulated industries, the commercial sector or wider government. With a broad understanding of security challenges, their potential impact and mitigation options, you’ll be comfortable influencing stakeholders to make informed risk-based decisions. You’ll have an appreciation of customers’ needs and experience delivering technology solutions to address their concerns. You may have contributed to development of strategy, policy, patterns or principles to drive an organisations response to new challenges. A passion for technology is vital – you’ll be motivated to maintain and develop your technical skills, learn from others, and share your knowledge with the wider technical community. You’ll be comfortable working as part of a team on a broad range of projects, collaborating on solving problems and sharing ideas.
Benefits
Training and Development
At GCHQ we’re proud to offer an inclusive and supportive working environment. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committed to helping you fulfil your potential. We value your ability to learn and to adapt to new challenges, so we’ll invest in your skills and the way you like to learn, from books, study, courses, conferences to stretching work with support of the team.
You’ll be encouraged to drive and shape your own personal development and you’ll have access to learning and development opportunities tailored to your role. You’ll be supported to gain professional qualifications and certifications and to seek out opportunities to continually learn and develop, supported through career development guidance, mentoring, and buddying in addition to formal training opportunities.
Rewards and Benefits
You’ll receive a starting salary of £36,836, you may also be eligible for additional annual skills payments of between £8,000 and £13,000 subject to assessment at interview and revalidation, and we may offer you a one-off recruitment bonus, plus other benefits including:
- 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays.
- Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.
- Interest-free season ticket loan.
- Excellent pension scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Facilities such as a subsidised gym and restaurant, and on-site coffee bars.
- Paid parental and adoption leave.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Before You Apply
To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.
Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.
Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application.
We’re Disability Confident
GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our ‘Offer of an Interview’ (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
Essential Criteria
- To demonstrate a keen interest in the latest technology, particularly security technologies – assessed at application sift.
- Experience/knowledge of the skills detailed within the advert – assessed at interview.
What to Expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
- Eligibility sifts, including Nationality and Residency.
- Business sift of applications for suitability for role.
- Interview.
Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process in order to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.
The role is based in Cheltenham, so you’ll need to live within commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we do not offer relocations costs.
Right to Withdraw Statement:
Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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