At a Glance
- Tasks: Join Tesco's Innovation Engineering team to build next-gen security solutions using AI and automation.
- Company: Be part of a leading tech-driven supermarket that values innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, private medical insurance, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to inclusion make this a great place to grow your career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on cyber defence while working in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Expertise in AI for cyber defence and strong programming skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
As a Senior Security Engineer in Tesco’s Innovation Engineering team, you will pioneer next generation security capabilities that proactively protect a retail ecosystem serving millions of customers. You will combine deep engineering expertise with an innovation mindset to build production-grade solutions that leverage applied Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and modern development practices to strengthen Tesco’s cyber defence.
This role sits at the point where ideas become real: you will design, build, test, and operationalise capabilities that measurably reduce risk and improve resilience. You will also act as a technical leader, setting engineering direction, raising standards, and influencing across diverse security and technology teams with a customer-first focus. In the immediate term, you will focus on the needs of our Cyber Threat Intelligence and Detection Engineering teams.
This team operates as an innovation incubator for cyber defence capabilities: rapidly exploring ideas, validating them through prototypes and experiments, and ensuring the strongest concepts graduate into secure, reliable production services. Depending on the nature of the capability, ownership may either remain within this team or transition to the most appropriate long-term service owner once the solution is proven and operationally ready.
You will work closely with our Security Automation Engineering team to build a shared roadmap of opportunities to deliver across Cyber Defence, ensuring we build and/or buy the best technologies to deliver our vision.
You will be responsible for:
- Architecting and delivering innovative security capabilities.
- Designing and building high impact security solutions that improve Tesco’s defensive posture, from concept through to production operation, with measurable outcomes.
- Embedding AI augmented security engineering.
- Leading modern engineering approaches for cyber defence.
- Championing engineering excellence.
- Sharing knowledge and inspiring others.
- Validating effectiveness and resilience.
- Influencing and enabling change across teams.
You will need:
- Demonstrable expertise in applied AI for cyber defence.
- Exposure to technical AI architecture & implementation.
- Demonstrable understanding of technical security architecture.
- Strong programming capability.
- Demonstrable understanding of secure & test driven engineering.
- Strong capability in evaluating security solutions.
- Demonstrable understanding of core cyber defence technology.
- Strong data analytics & insights capability.
- Strategic thinking & problem solving.
- Communication & influencing skills.
- Embracing and enabling change.
- Curiosity, learning, and research mindset.
- Commitment to inclusion & belonging.
Desirable Skills:
- Awareness of AI governance, compliance, and responsible AI principles.
- Evidence of contributions to the profession.
- Familiarity with Tesco’s core technology landscape.
- Demonstrable understanding of development lifecycle practices.
- Exposure to technical interviewing.
- Experience managing backlogs and delivering iteratively using Jira.
- Familiarity with operational collaboration tooling.
What’s in it for you?
We’re all about the little helps. That’s why we make sure our Tesco colleague benefits package takes care of you – both in and out of work. Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary. Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays). Private medical insurance. 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (12 months service required at the qualifying date) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, we also offer 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave. Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental wellbeing.
About Us:
You might know us as a supermarket, technology company or even for our award-winning mobile network. Truth is, we’re all of those things, and much more. Our colleagues work with one goal in mind, helping to make every day a little better for our customers, colleagues and communities all over the world. No two customers are the same, neither are our colleagues. At Tesco, we champion a balance that lets you thrive both in and out of work. Spend 60% of your week collaborating with colleagues at our office locations or local sites and the rest remotely. Whether you're just kicking off your career, juggling passions, or navigating big life events, we're here to support you. We always welcome a conversation about flexible working, so talk to us throughout your application about how we can support. We're proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, where everyone’s welcome. That’s why we commit to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need support with your application, please reach out for more information. And if you're interested in joining our team but don't tick every box, don't let that hold you back from applying.
Security Engineer III employer: Tesco Technology
At Tesco Technology, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and opportunities to lead impactful projects in a dynamic environment. Located at the heart of our operations, this role offers unique advantages such as access to cutting-edge technology and the chance to shape pricing strategies that drive real business value.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Security Engineer III
✨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 Tesco Technology, 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 Tesco Technology
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Tesco Technology. 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 Security Engineer III
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 Tesco Technology 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 Tesco Technology that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tesco Technology
✨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 Tesco Technology 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 Tesco Technology.
✨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.
