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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
33
Salary range
£35k – £91k
Hiring companies
30
View 33 live roles → Get an alert

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

£35k – £91k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 199 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
47% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
By seniority
£k base
Mid
32
74
81 jobs
Senior
50
100
52 jobs
Lead
64
123
8 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 172 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

SIEM
38%
Azure
24%
Vulnerability Management
22%
AWS
22%
Cloud Security
20%
Python
17%
Microsoft Defender
17%
PowerShell
17%
CCTV
16%
Microsoft 365
16%
DevSecOps
16%
Access Control
15%
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

33 live roles

See all 33 roles →

Cyber Security Engineer

This role involves delivering end-to-end cyber security work packages, including risk assessments, security architecture design, and vulnerability management. The engineer will develop security controls, produce security cases, and contribute to organisational security policies. Work spans both client and internal projects within a defence and national security context, with a strong focus on engineering and technical implementation.

Forward Role Cheltenham, United Kingdom £35,000 – £55,000 pa

Cyber Security Engineer - MS Sentinel, Defender, SSO, PKI, SC-100/200, CISSP

This role involves strengthening cybersecurity across a global IT environment through hands-on engineering, incident response, and vulnerability management. You'll work with tools like MS Sentinel and MS Defender to monitor threats, remediate risks in Windows Server and Azure environments, and support major incidents. The position also includes designing secure infrastructure solutions and improving security posture through proactive risk assessment and technical leadership.

Comtecs London, United Kingdom £90,000 – £100,000 pa

Platform Security Engineer (Tanium/Sentinel)

This role involves securing OT and IT environments against cyber threats by identifying risks and vulnerabilities, developing mitigation strategies, and providing guidance. The position is remote with occasional travel to the West Midlands.

NCC Group Remote, United Kingdom
Remote Permanent

Cyber Security Engineer

This role involves monitoring and responding to security alerts, leading incident remediation, and enhancing threat detection in collaboration with internal teams and a third-party MDR provider. The engineer will also support day-to-day IT operations, including service desk functions, cloud security, and compliance with standards like Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001. It's a hands-on position balancing cyber security leadership with operational IT support in a hybrid environment.

Nigel Wright Group Ne280Pd, United Kingdom £50,000 pa

Cyber Security Engineer

This role involves taking technical ownership of cyber security in a Microsoft-focused environment, assessing security gaps, and working with external partners to strengthen the organisation's security posture. You will manage Microsoft security technologies, identity and access management, and incident response.

Identify Solutions Swansea, United Kingdom £45,000 – £55,000 pa

Cyber Security Engineer

This role involves supporting a major UK Defence programme by focusing on cyber security engineering, security assurance, vulnerability management, and risk assessment. The work will be conducted across MODCloud ICE and AWS, requiring strong cyber security engineering experience, MOD/Defence programme experience, and security compliance knowledge.

Copello Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7JT, United Kingdom

Senior Security Operations Engineer

This role involves strengthening and evolving the security operations and engineering capabilities at a fast-growing cybersecurity SaaS company. The engineer will enhance detection and response, vulnerability management, and cloud security across AWS and GCP, while also designing scalable security services and embedding secure-by-design principles. The position includes mentoring, incident leadership, and shaping the long-term security roadmap in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Risk Ledger London, United Kingdom £90,000 – £100,000 pa

Cyber Security Architect & Engineering Lead

This senior technical leadership role involves designing, implementing, and improving security controls across various domains including identity, endpoints, networks, cloud, and applications. The role requires hands-on experience with Microsoft Sentinel, Defender, and Azure, along with strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.

Circle Recruitment London, United Kingdom £70,000 – £80,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent
See all 33 roles →
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

London

Location
8 open

Manchester

Location
2 open

Birmingham

Location
1 open

Cheltenham

Location
1 open
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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