Security Engineer Jobs

Design and implement the systems that keep digital assets safe. A role that combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of security principles.

Open roles
57
Salary range
£34k – £90k
Hiring companies
43

Security Engineers are the guardians of an organisation's digital infrastructure. They design, build, and maintain the systems that protect against cyber threats, ensuring that data remains secure and systems operate smoothly. This role is critical in a world where cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent. Security Engineers work across various sectors, from financial institutions and government agencies to tech companies and healthcare providers.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Security Engineer

A typical week for a Security Engineer is a mix of proactive and reactive tasks, balancing the development of new security measures with the response to emerging threats.

  1. 01
    Conduct security assessments and vulnerability scans.
  2. 02
    Develop and implement security policies and procedures.
  3. 03
    Monitor systems for suspicious activity and respond to incidents.
  4. 04
    Collaborate with development teams to integrate security into software.
  5. 05
    Stay updated on the latest security trends and threats.
  6. 06
    Document security processes and compliance requirements.
Salary on the board

£34k – £90k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 170 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
10% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
By seniority
£k base
Mid
32
75
92 jobs
Senior
50
107
44 jobs
Lead
62
125
7 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 194 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

SIEM
34%
CCTV
22%
Azure
21%
Access Control
20%
Vulnerability Management
20%
AWS
19%
Cloud Security
19%
Intruder Alarms
18%
Python
17%
Microsoft Defender
15%
PowerShell
14%
Microsoft 365
14%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for security engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior Security Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in the implementation of security measures and learn the fundamentals of security engineering.

  2. Level 2

    Security Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Take ownership of specific security projects and contribute to the development of security policies.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Security Engineer

    5–8 yrs

    Lead security initiatives, mentor junior team members, and ensure compliance with industry standards.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Security Engineer

    8+ yrs

    Strategise and oversee the organisation's overall security posture, driving innovation and best practices.

Pathway

How to become a Security Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Gain foundational knowledge

    Start with a strong understanding of computer science and network security principles.

  2. 2

    Obtain relevant certifications

    Pursue certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or OSCP to validate your skills and knowledge.

  3. 3

    Build practical experience

    Gain hands-on experience through internships, entry-level roles, or personal projects.

  4. 4

    Specialise in a security domain

    Focus on a specific area like penetration testing, incident response, or security architecture.

  5. 5

    Lead security projects

    Take on leadership roles, managing security initiatives and mentoring junior engineers.

  6. 6

    Advise on strategic security

    Provide strategic guidance on security policies and best practices at the organisational level.

Live jobs

57 live roles

See all 57 roles
Darktrace logo

Security Engineer

This role involves a 12-week training programme in threat detection and incident investigation, followed by work on Darktrace's Cyber AI Analyst to automate security analysis. You'll develop AI-driven hypotheses for detecting and responding to threats across hybrid networks, email, and cloud environments, collaborating with machine learning and security research teams.

Darktrace Cambridge, CB2 3BJ, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent

Security Engineer

This role involves leading cyber security strategy across both corporate IT and operational technology (OT) environments in a manufacturing organisation. You'll manage enterprise security platforms such as EDR, SIEM, NDR, firewalls, and email security, lead incident response, conduct vulnerability assessments, and ensure robust patching and identity management. The role also includes developing security awareness programmes, supporting disaster recovery, and maintaining compliance, all within a complex hybrid infrastructure spanning on-premises and cloud environments.

NET Recruit Chichester, United Kingdom £50,000 – £60,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

Security Engineer

The Security Engineer will service and repair Intruder Alarms, CCTV, and Access Control Systems across residential and commercial sites in London and the M25 area. Responsibilities include fault-finding, responding to reactive calls, and participating in out-of-hours on-call work on a rotational basis.

Get Staff London, United Kingdom £36,000 – £55,000 pa
On-site Permanent
Amazon logo

Security Engineer, AWS Security

This role involves conducting security reviews, threat modelling, and penetration testing for AWS services to identify and remediate vulnerabilities prior to launch. The engineer collaborates with development teams to enforce secure coding practices, cryptographic standards, and data protection, while documenting risks and guiding remediation. It focuses on proactive security validation within cloud-based application architectures.

Amazon London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required
Amazon logo

Security Engineer, SDO AppSec EMEA

This role involves securing software applications by conducting manual and automated code reviews, developing security automation tools, and providing security architecture guidance. The engineer will perform adversarial analysis, create threat models, and lead security training for development teams. The position emphasizes collaboration with developers to integrate security into the software development lifecycle across diverse domains like cloud, retail, and healthcare.

Amazon London, United Kingdom
Permanent

Security Engineer - AVP

This role involves securing AWS cloud platforms at scale, embedding security into DevOps processes, and driving DevSecOps innovation across engineering teams. The engineer will design and implement secure, resilient cloud-native systems using Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD automation, and security-by-design principles. Collaboration with developers and security teams is key to enforcing scalable security controls and improving operational resilience in a regulated financial environment.

Barclays United Kingdom
On-site Permanent Clearance Required
Experis logo

Network Security Engineer

This role involves managing and securing complex, multi-vendor firewall environments using AlgoSec for policy automation, risk analysis, and compliance reporting. The engineer will support firewall operations, conduct rule reviews, and drive security optimisation within a regulated enterprise, with a focus on automation using Python, PowerShell, and tools like Ansible or Terraform. The position is based in Knutsford with a hybrid 3-day-in-office work pattern.

Experis Peover Superior, Cheshire, WA16 8TT, United Kingdom £400 – £469 pd
Bridewell logo

Senior Security Engineer

This role involves leading Microsoft Sentinel adoption, managing client onboarding, and developing custom connectors to ingest log data into SIEM platforms. The engineer will work on multi-vendor SIEM proof of concepts, create dashboards, develop queries, and configure alerts. Proficiency in infrastructure as code, DevOps pipelines, and scripting is central to the position.

Bridewell Cardiff, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
FAQs

Common questions

  • Essential skills include a strong foundation in computer science, knowledge of security protocols, and proficiency in programming languages like Python and C++.

  • Certifications such as CISSP, CEH, and OSCP are highly valued and can significantly enhance your career prospects.

  • Security Engineers stay updated by following industry news, attending conferences, and participating in online forums and communities.

  • Security Engineers often work in office settings, but many roles offer remote or hybrid work options, depending on the organisation's policies.

  • Salary ranges can vary widely based on experience, location, and industry. For more detailed information, refer to the salary section on this page.

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