At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative software solutions for real-world cyber challenges.
- Company: Join Dstl, a leader in defence and security technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with unique facilities and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's cyber capabilities with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree in STEM or equivalent experience; strong Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver.
To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location, Government Departments including wider Mo D or Delivery and Mission Partner premises for at least 80% of your working time.
About the job Job summary Do you enjoy developing innovative software solutions that tackle challenging real-world problems?
Are you motivated by working with cutting-edge technologies that contribute directly to the UK's cyber capabilities?
Dstl is looking for a Senior Cyber Software Engineer to join a highly skilled team developing software tools, prototypes and proof-of-concept capabilities that support cyber operations and technical research.
Working in a collaborative engineering environment, you will apply your software development expertise to transform complex technical challenges into practical, operationally relevant solutions
Why join us?
You'll work with modern programming languages and development practices, designing and building software that supports advanced cyber research, vulnerability analysis and capability development.
Alongside developing robust and resilient code, you'll contribute to solving complex technical problems involving communication systems, protocols and binary analysis.
We are seeking talented engineers who combine strong technical ability with curiosity, adaptability and a passion for learning.
You'll have the opportunity to work alongside experts from across science, engineering and cyber disciplines, access unique facilities and technologies, and contribute to capabilities that support the UK's current and future defence and national security needs.
Whether your background is in software engineering, systems development or cyber technologies, this role offers the opportunity to apply your expertise in an environment where innovation, collaboration and technical excellence are at the heart of everything we do.
This role is eligible for an additional specialist allowance of £2758 annually subject to meeting extended onboarding requirements.
The role may be eligible for additional skills allowances depending on the skills and experience of the applicant.
Job description What you'll do;
- Design, develop and maintain innovative software tools, prototypes and technical capabilities using a range of modern programming languages.
- Transform research outputs and technical concepts into operationally relevant software solutions.
- Develop secure and resilient software, applying safe coding principles throughout the development lifecycle.
- Identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities within software systems and applications.
- Work within Agile software development environments, contributing to rapid and effective delivery.
- Use modern software engineering tools and practices, including version control and collaborative development workflows.
- Apply knowledge of communication systems, protocols and binary analysis to solve complex technical challenges.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality technical outcomes and continuously improve engineering approaches.
For more information on the job responsibilities, please see the job profile attached below.
Person specification What we're looking for
- A degree in a STEM discipline such as Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Embedded Systems, Physics or Mathematics, or equivalent professional experience.
- Strong software development experience in Python.
- Experience developing applications in C, C++ or a comparable programming language.
- Experience developing software using Agile delivery methodologies.
- Experience using Git and collaborative version-control platforms such as Git Hub or Git Lab.
- Experience working with Linux environments, including Bash scripting.
- Experience solving complex software engineering problems and producing robust technical solutions.
- The ability to analyse technical information from multiple sources and make sound engineering judgements
Please review the attached job description for more detailed information.
Important Information
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats.
For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role.
If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require Develop Vetting and you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
- Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
Benefits Alongside your salary of £41,431, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £12,002 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Benefits
- Dstl s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
- Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution ( find out more here ).
In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers.
Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
- Allowances: This role is eligible for an additional specialist allowance of £2758 annually subject to meeting extended onboarding requirements.
The role may be eligible for additional skills allowances depending on the skills and experience of the applicant.
- Flexible working : Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e. g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i. e. working term-time only).
- Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e. g. start time, finish time).
Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
- Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
- Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
- Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
- Learning and
Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree).
Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions.
Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
- Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
Senior Cyber Software Engineer in Salisbury employer: Job Traffic
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cyber Software Engineer in Salisbury
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Job Traffic, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through Job Traffic
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Job Traffic. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cyber Software Engineer in Salisbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Job Traffic insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Job Traffic that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Traffic
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at Job Traffic to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at Job Traffic.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
