Lead Security Engineer in Southampton

Lead Security Engineer in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead security initiatives to protect cutting-edge technology and ensure robust product designs.
  • Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
  • Other info: Be part of an inclusive workplace that values diversity and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a tangible impact on national security while collaborating with top engineers.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and relevant security certifications required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

We’re on the lookout for a Lead Security Engineer with a passion for protecting cutting‑edge technology and driving Secure by Design principles into the heart of our innovations and product. If you’re ready to make a tangible impact on national security and global defence, we want to hear from you.

Location: Basildon, Southampton, Luton or Bristol (on‑site up to 4 days per week)

Travel: Occasional travel to UK and overseas customers, suppliers and other Leonardo sites

What You’ll Do:

  • You’ll lead the way in ensuring our systems and products meet the highest standards of security assurance, collaborating with some of the brightest engineers in software, systems, and electronics. Every day will bring new challenges — and the satisfaction of knowing your expertise keeps our world‑class solutions secure.
  • Drive Security Assurance through the full product lifecycle, ensuring every design is robust, compliant, and resilient.
  • Develop and manage security protocols, tools, and processes that keep our technologies ahead of emerging threats.
  • Provide independent Information Assurance (IA) reviews and risk assessments on a variety of complex, high‑impact projects.
  • Contribute to Leonardo’s UK‑wide Security and IA community — shaping best practice and influencing security strategy.
  • Create and manage key artefacts such as Security Management Plans, Risk Assessments, and Remediation Action Plans.

What You’ll Bring:

We’re looking for an experienced professional who thrives on solving complex problems and has a proven track record in managing product security for highly regulated systems.

Skills:

  • Expertise in conducting risk assessments, applying security controls, and developing IA documentation.
  • Ability to interpret penetration test findings and create remediation action plans.
  • Aware of UK Government Assurance frameworks.

Qualifications:

  • Degree in Engineering (or related field).
  • Certification such as CISSP, CISM, or equivalent.

Knowledge / Experience:

  • Substantive experience in product security.
  • Hands‑on experience with risk management frameworks and best practice like NIST SP800‑37, ISO27001, and Secure by Design.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance: This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Why join us:

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work‑life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

  • Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
  • Secure your Future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
  • Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
  • Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
  • Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
  • Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
  • Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
  • Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo, we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location: GB - Southampton

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid

Lead Security Engineer in Southampton employer: 慨正橡扯

At Leonardo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, an award-winning pension scheme, and access to over 4,000 online courses, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in Basildon, Southampton, Luton, or Bristol, where your contributions will directly impact national security and global defence while working alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.

Contact Details:

慨正橡扯 Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Security Engineer in Southampton

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Leonardo on LinkedIn or through industry events. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding of security frameworks. We recommend practising common interview questions related to risk assessments and security protocols to show you're ready to lead the charge.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for security! During interviews, share examples of how you've tackled complex security challenges in the past. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and commitment to protecting cutting-edge technology.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Leonardo.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Security Engineer in Southampton

Security Assurance
Risk Assessments
Information Assurance (IA)
Security Protocols Development
Penetration Testing Interpretation
Remediation Action Plans
UK Government Assurance Frameworks

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Security Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in security assurance, risk assessments, and any relevant certifications like CISSP or CISM.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about security and how you can contribute to our mission. Share specific examples of past projects where you've driven security by design principles.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to tackle complex problems. We want to see how you've approached challenges in product security and what innovative solutions you've implemented.

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be reviewed promptly, and you'll be one step closer to joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at 慨正橡扯

Know Your Security Standards

Familiarise yourself with key security frameworks like NIST SP800-37 and ISO27001. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, as this will show your depth of knowledge and practical experience.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to dive deep into risk assessments and security controls. Brush up on your ability to interpret penetration test findings and create remediation action plans, as these are crucial for the role.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Be prepared to share specific examples of complex problems you've solved in product security. Highlight your thought process and the impact of your solutions to demonstrate your expertise.

Emphasise Collaboration

Since the role involves working with various teams, be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with engineers and other stakeholders in the past. This will illustrate your ability to drive Security Assurance through the full product lifecycle.