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- Tasks: Lead a team in a 24x7 Cyber Security Operation Centre, ensuring operational excellence and quality assurance.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation committed to protecting freedom and supporting the Armed Forces.
- Benefits: Enjoy a bonus of up to 21%, enhanced parental leave, and fantastic site facilities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a values-led company that prioritises innovation, diversity, and mentorship.
- Qualifications: Experience in Cyber Security, strong leadership skills, and excellent communication abilities required.
- Other info: This role requires SC Clearance; British citizenship or dual UK nationality is essential.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity for a passionate SOC Shift Lead to join a unique, multi‑national Information Management function. Ideal candidates should be committed to protecting our critical systems and ensuring the integrity and security of our network infrastructure.
Salary
Circa £70,000, depending on experience + Shift Premium
Location
Stevenage
Shift pattern
This role is on prem only. Shifts consisting of days (including early shift) and nights (including evening shift), with two working weekends per month and rest days, within an agreed team rota
Security Clearance
British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.
This role will require SC Clearance and applicants will be required to undergo DV clearance if they do not already possess it. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) and a Security Check (SC) clearance, which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
What we can offer you
- Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
- Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
- Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
The opportunity
An opportunity has arisen within the Cyber Security Operation Centre (SOC) to establish a new pivotal role that ensures operational excellence and team continuity across a 24×7 defence environment. The SOC Shift Lead will provide quality assurance & continuity working across three rotating teams of Tier 1 and Tier 2 analysts, providing live operational oversight, procedural assurance, and ongoing mentorship.
This role ensures each analyst team is aligned with evolving cyber threat detection standards, works in sync with response and intelligence functions, and delivers consistent high‑quality casework across shifts. This is a senior operational role that builds upon the responsibilities of a senior SOC Analyst, introducing additional duties in mentoring, knowledge dissemination, quality control, and SOC capability uplift.
If you are looking to leverage your technical skills in a values led company that values innovation and diversity, this is the place to make an impact.
In addition to Senior SOC Analyst responsibilities (alert triage, threat detection, ticket response, and tooling operation), the SOC Shift Lead will provide:
Shift Continuity & QA
Operational assurance and standard enforcement across all active shifts. Review, assess, and QA analyst triage, case notes, and escalations. Ensure seamless shift handovers by maintaining clear communication protocols and supporting consistent documentation.
Mentorship & Analyst Development
Act as mentor for less experienced analysts, delivering just‑in‑time support and real‑time knowledge sharing. Identify capability gaps within the shift team and report training needs to SOC management. Facilitate awareness of the latest threats, detection guidance, and tooling updates through briefings or job aids.
Escalation & Communication Interface
Serve as the first point of contact for non‑critical escalations and queries within the shift team. Liaise with SOC Manager, CTI, and IR leads to clarify or communicate updated response requirements. Contribute to and support the alignment of ongoing SOC initiatives, project deliverables, and best practice dissemination.
Feedback & Continuous Improvement
Log procedural or workflow issues observed during shifts and propose improvements. Recommend updates to SOPs and playbooks based on frontline observations. Capture metrics on alert handling efficiency, response delays, and knowledge pain points.
The MBDA SOC Shift Lead reports to the SOC Manager. The MBDA SOC Shift Lead conducts a range of analysis and assists the incident response team with investigations that need to be escalated to an embedded MBDA member of staff.
What we\’re looking for from you
- A career background in Cyber Security. Security awareness and experience in all areas of IT, primarily Network Security, Infrastructure and the secondary area being Operating Systems & Applications.
- Ability to lead by example, enforce standards diplomatically, and foster a high‑performing team culture.
- Prior experience in mentoring, peer coaching, or quality assurance within a SOC environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication for coordination, escalation, and documentation purposes.
- Demonstrable understanding of the OSI Reference Model and the network communication protocols, including but not limited to DNS, HTTP/S, SSL, SMTP, FTP/S, LDAP/S.
- Demonstrable experience with Security Information Event Monitoring Tools and/or Network Packet Capture tools.
Our company
Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given
MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.
We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…
We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.
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SOC Shift Leader employer: MBDA UK Ltd
Contact Detail:
MBDA UK Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SOC Shift Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and technologies in Cyber Security, especially those related to SOC operations. This will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in a rapidly evolving field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of MBDA or similar organisations. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the SOC Shift Lead role, which can be beneficial during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your leadership and mentoring skills. Highlighting how you've successfully guided teams or improved processes in previous roles will resonate well with the hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Understand the importance of communication within a SOC environment. Be ready to articulate how you would facilitate effective communication and collaboration among team members, especially during shift handovers and escalations.
We think you need these skills to ace SOC Shift Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in Cyber Security, particularly in Network Security and Infrastructure. Emphasise any previous roles where you led teams or mentored others, as this is crucial for the SOC Shift Leader position.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for Cyber Security and your commitment to protecting critical systems. Mention specific examples of how you've ensured operational excellence and quality assurance in past roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your technical skills related to the OSI Reference Model and network communication protocols. Include your experience with Security Information Event Monitoring Tools and any mentoring or coaching you've done in a SOC environment.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. Ensure that your communication is clear and professional, as excellent written communication is essential for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA UK Ltd
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a SOC Shift Leader. Familiarise yourself with operational assurance, mentorship, and quality control aspects, as these will be key discussion points during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your background in Cyber Security, particularly in Network Security and Infrastructure. Highlight any relevant experience in mentoring or quality assurance within a SOC environment, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication skills are essential for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing technical concepts or past experiences. This will help you convey your ideas effectively during the interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities in a SOC context. Think about past situations where you had to handle escalations or mentor team members, and be ready to share those experiences.
