Security Specialist in Cheltenham

We’re looking for a proactive and highly organised Security Specialist to join our Cheltenham site and support the safe, secure, and efficient running of our personnel and site security operations. In this important role, you’ll help protect a dynamic and fast-paced environment by coordinating vetting and screening activities, supporting access control and visitor processes, managing security records and approvals, and delivering engaging security inductions for new starters.

Working closely with Security, IT, HR, and operational teams, you’ll bring attention to detail, sound judgement, and a collaborative approach to help ensure our security processes are compliant, effective, and supportive of a great employee and visitor experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a site working on complex international engineering projects and critical aircraft systems that will be relied on for decades to come.

GE Aerospace Cheltenham spans 55 acres, employs more than 1,700 people and plays a major role in the local economy. As a Power Distribution & Controls (PD&C) site, it designs, develops, and manufactures advanced aircraft power distribution and avionics systems for the global aviation industry, serving all major aerospace manufacturers across commercial, business jet, and military platforms.

Job Description

Personnel Security & Vetting

• Coordinate personnel security checks for contractors, contingent workers, suppliers, and overseas employees in line with organisational policies and relevant standards.
• Liaise with hiring managers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely completion of pre-employment and ongoing security screening.
• Escalate issues, concerns, or anomalies to the Lead Security Specialist and other senior security personnel as required.
• Manage shared security mailboxes, ensuring prompt, accurate responses and appropriate escalation of queries relating to personnel clearances and security vetting.
• Maintain clear and accurate records of security checks and approvals in line with governance and audit requirements.

Physical & Site Security Support

• Support the on-site Security Supervisor with the administration of ID badges, visitor passes, and site access permissions.
• Assist with visitor management and escorting processes, ensuring compliance with site access policies.
• Support the administration of parking permits and related site access permissions for staff, contractors, and visitors.
• Plan and deliver security-focused inductions for new starters (including contractors and suppliers), covering site security procedures, access control, and information protection.
• Ensure induction content remains current, relevant, and aligned with organisational policies.

Systems, Approvals & Administration

• Act as an approver for defined systems and access requests in collaboration with IT and relevant business stakeholders.
• Maintain and update associated tracking tools, spreadsheets, and logs to ensure a clear audit trail of approvals and access changes.
• Maintain and update security-related intranet content, ensuring information is accurate, current, and easy to navigate.
• Manage digital noticeboards and other internal security communication channels, promoting security awareness and key messages.
• Administer security databases and shared storage locations used for managing security records and documentation.
• Ensure data is organised, secure, and accessible to authorised personnel, in line with internal policies and applicable regulations.
• Manage day-to-day security enquiries from employees, contractors, and visitors, providing clear guidance or escalating where needed.
• Order and maintain stock of security-related stationery and materials.

Team Support & Collaboration

• Provide operational support to the Security Controller/Site Security Leader, Security Guard Supervisor, and Lead Security Specialist.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of security processes, documentation, and user experience.
• Offer resilience cover for key security administration activities during periods of absence or peak demand.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in security administration, personnel security/vetting, access control, site security operations, or a similar administrative or operational security role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise professionally with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Understanding of data protection, privacy, and information security principles.
• Experience in security administration, vetting/personnel security, facilities/security operations, or a similar corporate/government environment.
• Experience handling confidential information and access control processes is highly valuable.

Desired Characteristics

• Experience working in a regulated environment (defence, aerospace, critical infrastructure, government, or similar) is desirable.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Competent in using standard office IT systems and willing to learn new security/approval tools and databases.
• High level of integrity and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Collaborative mindset, able to work closely with Security, IT, HR, and operational teams.

Flexible Working

GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work-life balance.

Total Reward

At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.

As a new joiner to GE we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs:

• Pension
• Bonus
• Life Assurance
• Group income protection
• Private medical cover

UK Security Clearance

UK Security Clearance (SC) is required and must be maintained for this role. Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements for UK Security Clearance are not eligible for this role on grounds of national security. If UK Security Clearance is not obtained, any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security.

Right to Work

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post.