Security Controller (Onsite) – Defence Security Lead

Reporting into the Head of Security in Cambridge, the Security Controller will be responsible for coordinating and assuring physical and operational security across Marshall Land Systems sites with the primary operating location being Merthyr Tydfil - South Wales. This role ensures compliance with defence security requirements and enables the secure delivery of programmes, projects, and supply chain activities. The role will be managing a small onsite team in Wales.

Your responsibilities in this role include:

• Act as the primary day-to-day liaison at Merthyr Tydfil with external security authorities, including DE&S PSyA, UKSV, NCSC, WARP, and IVCO.
• Support the implementation and ongoing assurance of company security policies, processes, audits, reporting, and incident response.
• Oversee physical security arrangements across the site, including access control, CCTV systems, and building security in collaboration with Facilities.
• Ensure robust access control and visitor management processes are in place, consistently applied, and compliant with required standards.
• Oversee the operation of security systems (CCTV, alarms, access control, incident management tools), ensuring effective monitoring and response.
• Provide direction, coordination, and tasking to on-site security personnel, maintaining situational awareness and effective site coverage.
• Ensure routine security checks, patrols, and inspections are completed and meet required standards.
• Support the site Security Team, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development.
• Support contract and programme delivery by managing security requirements, including Security Aspects Letters (SALs) and supply chain assurance.
• Support the coordination of site-level IT service support, including the request, issue, of IT equipment, and act as a local point of contact for third-party IT providers.
• Support and coordinate response to security incidents at Merthyr Tydfil site, ensuring timely escalation, investigation, and reporting in line with company and regulatory requirements.
• Support to Site Manager when required.

Apply if you have most of the following:

• Experience operating within a security role in a regulated or high-security environment (e.g. defence, government, or critical infrastructure).
• Proven experience managing physical security operations, including access control systems, CCTV, and site security measures.
• Experience liaising with external security authorities (e.g. UKSV, NCSC, MOD or equivalent bodies).
• Demonstrable experience implementing and assuring security policies, audits, and incident response processes.
• Leadership and development of the local security team.
• Experience supporting secure contract or programme delivery, including supply chain assurance and SALs.
• Supporting the coordination of operational security activities, including incident response and team tasking.
• Exposure to IT service coordination or support within a secure environment.

Technical skills/education:

• Working knowledge of physical security systems, including CCTV, access control, and alarm systems.
• Strong understanding of security operations, incident response, and best practices.
• Ability to oversee and assure security processes, inspections, and compliance activities.
• Competence in using security and incident management systems.
• Knowledge of UK Government security standards and frameworks.
• Security-related professional qualification (e.g. Security Institute, ASIS, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with IT service management principles (e.g. ITIL).

Additional local needs:

• This is a site-based role.
• Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC as a minimum).

The benefits of this role include:

• Play a central role in protecting critical defence programmes, national security interests, and sensitive assets.
• Regular engagement with external authorities (e.g. UKSV, NCSC, MOD stakeholders) and participation in recognised security forums.
• Opportunities to gain and maintain industry-recognised security qualifications and certifications, with ongoing support for continuous professional development.
• Direct responsibility for leading and developing a site security team, building people management and operational leadership capability.
• Work closely with IT, Facilities, Supply Chain, HR, and Programme teams, developing a broad understanding of business operations within a secure environment.
• Opportunity to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance, enhancing long-term career prospects within the defence and security sectors.
• Contribute to large-scale, multi-site, and supply chain-driven projects, building experience in secure programme delivery.
• Opportunity to shape and enhance security processes, systems, and standards across the organisation.

Marshall Land Systems is a Canadian-owned global company with an unrivalled pedigree of British engineering excellence. From its origins in Cambridge, UK, through more than a century of innovation, pioneering advances from the nose of Concorde to the early Hydrogen fuel cell technology that ultimately powered the moon landings, Marshall engineers now continue to innovate specialist vehicles and infrastructure for NATO forces across the world. From bomb disposal vehicles to deployed shelters, from command and control to CT scanners on the battlefield, Marshall Land Systems protects people in critical situations with the very best in engineering. It employs 600 people with major facilities in the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands.