At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to evaluate and enhance security for cutting-edge defence systems.
- Company: CENSUS LABS is a leading cybersecurity engineering firm focused on product security.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the defence sector while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: MSc or BSc in a relevant field with 5+ years of cybersecurity experience required.
- Other info: Ideal for tech-savvy individuals passionate about security and defence.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
About CENSUS
CENSUS LABS is a cybersecurity engineering powerhouse specializing in securing products and organizations. Our identity is rooted in professionalism, engineering excellence, a scientific mindset, and hacking demeanor. We are research-driven, enabling us to deliver a diverse range of professional services.
CENSUS is trusted to conduct high-impact product security engagements, helping our clients secure their solutions from design to deployment, using realistic and risk-informed approaches. Our expertise spans end-to-end systems, including Secure Communications, IoT, Medical Devices, Mobile, and Vehicle Computing platforms.
Learn more about CENSUS at census-labs.com.
About the Job
We are seeking a Senior Product Security Consultant to join our Cybersecurity Engineering Defense practice. This hybrid role combines deep technical security evaluation, client-facing pre-sales support, and technical project management. You will play a central role in designing and validating secure systems for the defense sector, aligning with international compliance standards and platform-specific security requirements.
You will work with engineering managers, technical stakeholders, and defense clients to assess product security posture, define security controls, and ensure system resilience through structured evaluations. You will also engage in proposal development, solution scoping, and roadmap planning for security-centric projects in line with mission and operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Product Security Evaluation
- Perform architecture and implementation reviews of embedded, cloud-based, or mission-critical systems.
- Analyze and validate secure boot flows, cryptographic controls, and firmware integrity mechanisms.
- Conduct threat modeling and traceability analysis against defense-aligned frameworks (e.g., NIST SP 800-53, NIST RMF, Common Criteria, NATO NIAG, ISO 15408).
- Evaluate usage of post-quantum and hybrid cryptographic algorithms in secure communication and key management schemes.
- Conduct security testing of control systems, secure enclaves, radios, mission payload platforms, or ICS/SCADA endpoints.
Defense Industry Compliance & Assurance
- Map system security evaluations to high-assurance certification needs (e.g., FIPS 140-3, Common Criteria EAL, DoD STIGs, DoDIN APL).
- Support technical evidence creation for compliance-driven assurance cases and authority-to-operate (ATO) processes.
- Identify platform-specific hardening strategies (e.g., RTOS, containerized defense apps, ruggedized embedded systems).
Pre-Sales Engineering Support
- Collaborate with business development to define secure system architectures and value propositions.
- Author technical sections of proposals, whitepapers, and compliance alignment reports.
- Translate mission objectives and operational constraints into viable secure-by-design implementation pathways.
- Conduct technical workshops and demos to engage with defense primes, integrators, and government clients.
Project and Stakeholder Management
- Lead technical execution of security engagements with clear milestones, deliverables, and resourcing plans.
- Maintain ongoing communication with client technical leads and internal engineering teams.
- Ensure deliverables meet both compliance obligations and real-world threat resilience expectations.
Minimum Qualifications
- MSc or BSc in Computer Science, Electrical/Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related technical discipline.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity for embedded systems, secure communications, or mission-critical platforms.
- Strong technical writing and documentation skills in English.
- Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
Required Skills
- In-depth understanding of security architecture and common system design patterns (e.g., API gateways, microservices, message queues, service meshes).
- Hands-on experience performing design-level security reviews and verifying implementation alignment with defined threat models.
- Familiarity with defense-specific cybersecurity requirements (e.g., DFARS/NIST 800-171, CMMC, MIL-STD-882, STANAGs).
- Understanding of tactical system constraints and secure integration challenges in C4ISR, unmanned systems, or EW contexts.
- Exposure to Zero Trust principles in disconnected, intermittently connected, and low-bandwidth environments (D-DIL).
- Knowledge of authentication, authorization, identity, and secrets management technologies (e.g., OAuth2, MFA, PKI, SSO, Cloud IAM, HashiCorp Vault).
- Proficiency in applied cryptography (e.g., mTLS, E2EE, AEAD, key derivation, key wrapping, remote attestation).
- Ability to identify security vulnerabilities across platforms (e.g., OWASP Top 10, misconfigurations, transport security gaps).
- Excellent documentation and communication skills, able to articulate technical risks and findings to diverse audiences.
- Experience in collaborative proposal development and interfacing with government acquisition stakeholders.
- Problem solving skills, analytical thinking, and willingness to learn/grow.
Nice-to-Have Skills
- Ability to read and analyze source code for logic flaws in one or more language families:
- Mobile: Swift, Obj-C, Kotlin, Java, Dart, JavaScript
- Web/Cloud: Java, Python, Go, PHP, Ruby, C#, JavaScript
- Native/Embedded: C, C++
- Experience debugging or instrumenting applications across edge, embedded, or cloud platforms.
- Familiarity with Zero Trust architectures, enclaves, and confidential computing technologies.
- Exposure to fuzzing, symbolic execution, or static analysis techniques.
- Experience collaborating with distributed teams across different time zones and cultures.
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Senior Product Security Consultant - Defense Systems (UK Nationals) employer: CENSUS SA
Contact Detail:
CENSUS SA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Security Consultant - Defense Systems (UK Nationals)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific cybersecurity frameworks mentioned in the job description, such as NIST SP 800-53 and Common Criteria. Understanding these frameworks will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with online communities or forums related to cybersecurity and defense systems. Networking with professionals in the field can provide insights into current trends and challenges, which could be beneficial during discussions with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience with embedded systems and secure communications. Be ready to share specific examples of projects you've worked on, particularly those that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Research CENSUS LABS thoroughly, including their recent projects and innovations in cybersecurity. Tailoring your conversation to reflect their values and mission can set you apart from other candidates and show your genuine interest in the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Security Consultant - Defense Systems (UK Nationals)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in cybersecurity, especially with embedded systems and secure communications. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cybersecurity and your understanding of the defense sector. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Technical Skills: In your application, emphasise your technical writing skills and familiarity with security architecture. Provide examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles, particularly in relation to compliance standards.
Showcase Problem-Solving Abilities: Include examples of how you've tackled complex security challenges in past positions. This could involve discussing your analytical thinking and any innovative solutions you've implemented in cybersecurity projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at CENSUS SA
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you thoroughly understand the job description and key responsibilities of a Senior Product Security Consultant. Familiarise yourself with the specific security frameworks and compliance standards mentioned, such as NIST SP 800-53 and Common Criteria, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience in cybersecurity, particularly with embedded systems and secure communications. Be ready to provide examples of past projects where you performed security evaluations or threat modelling, highlighting your analytical skills and attention to detail.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Since this role involves client-facing interactions, practice articulating complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner. You may be asked to explain your findings or proposals to non-technical stakeholders, so showcasing your ability to communicate effectively is crucial.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you would handle real-world security challenges. Think about potential vulnerabilities in systems and how you would approach securing them, especially in the context of defence systems.