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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop cutting-edge detection strategies for national security.
- Company: Join BAE Systems, a leader in digital intelligence and cyber security.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with SIEM platforms, cloud environments, and strong programming skills required.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and enjoy a collaborative work culture.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Location(s): UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Leeds
BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.
About the Role
BAE Systems is recruiting an experienced Detection Engineering Lead to join our Security Operations Centre (SOC) supporting a Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) client. This role is a combination of technical and leadership and is responsible for setting the strategic direction of our Detection Engineering function, managing a small team of detection engineers, and ensuring the delivery of world‑class security detection capabilities. As the Detection Engineering Lead, you will take full ownership of the detection strategy, team development, and service delivery, working closely with senior stakeholders to meet contractual KPIs and drive continuous improvement across the function. This role reports directly to the Service Delivery Manager, but also will work closely with the threat intelligence lead and the SOC manager.
The Opportunity
In this role, you will define and maintain the overall detection strategy and roadmap for the Detection Engineering function, ensuring all initiatives and deliverables align to KPIs. You will be responsible for driving the direction of the engineering function, identifying opportunities for service improvements and efficiency enhancements through automation and tooling. As a people manager, you will lead the Detection Engineering team's workload and professional development. This includes conducting regular meetings with your team to ensure they have the necessary support. You will foster a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence, through the delivery of knowledge to junior members of your team. Operational ownership is a critical aspect of this position. You will take responsibility for business‑as‑usual operations and service improvement initiatives. Your ability to balance strategic thinking with operational accountability will be essential to success in this role. Stakeholder engagement is a key responsibility. You will communicate detection efficacy; Key Performance Indicators; and continuous service improvements to the Service Delivery Manager, executives, and wider customer teams. The role requires you to make key strategic decisions, and advocate effectively for your team's requirements at senior levels.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Advanced proficiency in both Splunk and Microsoft Sentinel SIEM platforms
- Understanding and experience with AWS and Azure cloud environments
- An advanced understanding of KQL and SPL to write detections that are efficient, and high‑fidelity
- Strong Python programming skills for developing and maintaining existing automation and Detection as Code pipelines
- Experience monitoring networks and working with threat intelligence, ideally understanding the MITRE ATT&CK framework
- Strong understanding of security detection methodologies and best practices
- Experience creating and presenting strategic direction and managing workloads
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience with Detection as Code methodologies
- Proficiency in React or JavaScript for tooling development
- Experience in people management and team leadership
Certifications
Whilst not essential, the following courses and certifications are desirable, and we encourage and support successful candidates to continue their professional development, which can include:
- SANS courses: SEC599, SEC530, SEC699, FOR608, SEC541
- GIAC certifications: GDAT, GCIH, GCDA, GMON, GSOC, GDSA, GCED
- Other certifications: CISSP, ISSEP, CCSP; Vendor specific certifications from Splunk, AWS, or Microsoft
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with strong decision‑making capabilities and a proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement. A commitment to team development, knowledge sharing, and staying current with emerging threats and technologies is essential.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.
Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence
We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day. By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well‑being. Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential.
Lead Content Detection Engineer - Leeds - National Security West employer: BAE Systems
Contact Detail:
BAE Systems Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Content Detection Engineer - Leeds - National Security West
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current employees at BAE Systems. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got experience with Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, or Python, make sure to highlight these in conversations. Bring examples of your work to showcase your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Brush up on your knowledge of security detection methodologies and the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will set you apart from the crowd.
✨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 the team at BAE Systems.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Content Detection Engineer - Leeds - National Security West
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Lead Content Detection Engineer. Highlight your experience with Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, and any relevant cloud environments like AWS or Azure. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about detection engineering and how your strategic thinking can benefit our team. Don’t forget to mention your leadership experience and commitment to continuous improvement.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight your proficiency in KQL, SPL, and Python. We’re looking for someone who can develop efficient detections and maintain automation pipelines, so give us examples of your past work in these areas!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Systems
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, and cloud environments like AWS and Azure. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past roles, especially in relation to detection strategies and automation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Content Detection Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to manage a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've supported team development and fostered a culture of continuous learning in previous positions.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. Think about how you would present detection efficacy and KPIs to senior management and be ready to share your approach during the interview.
✨Prepare for Strategic Thinking Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic decision-making abilities. Be prepared to discuss how you would balance operational accountability with long-term goals, and think of specific scenarios where you've successfully implemented improvements.
