Senior Cyber Data, Protocol and Network Analysis Engineer

Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ

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 MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner premises for at least 80% of your working time.

Job Summary Join a highly skilled cyber and engineering team at Dstl, where you will apply your technical expertise to understand, analyse and exploit complex communications, networks and digital systems. Working at the forefront of cyber and data analysis, you will investigate how devices, protocols and network technologies operate, helping to generate insights that support critical national security and defence outcomes.

Why join us? This role is ideal for an experienced engineer with a naturally inquisitive mindset who enjoys solving difficult technical problems and uncovering how systems work beneath the surface. You will analyse a broad range of communication technologies, from traditional networks and wireless protocols through to embedded systems and specialised data interfaces.

As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to the development of innovative analytical techniques, mentor less experienced colleagues and influence technical direction through high-quality analysis and clear communication. You will work alongside experts from a range of disciplines, collaborating to address complex challenges and deliver impactful outcomes for government and defence stakeholders.

The role offers the opportunity to apply software, networking, data analysis and systems engineering skills within a unique environment where curiosity, innovation and technical excellence are highly valued.

Job Description What you'll do;

• Analyse communications, networks, devices and digital systems to generate technical intelligence and actionable insights.
• Investigate communication protocols and understand how they operate across different network architectures and platforms.
• Examine data from a variety of sources, including network captures, wireless communications, embedded device interfaces and system data stores.
• Develop and apply analytical tools, scripts and bespoke techniques to solve complex technical challenges.
• Identify system behaviours, vulnerabilities and opportunities to improve understanding of technologies and their operation.
• Produce clear, authoritative technical reports and communicate complex findings to a range of stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions to challenging problems.
• Lead technical activities, support project delivery and contribute to shaping future analytical capabilities.
• Coach and mentor colleagues, sharing knowledge and promoting best practice across the team.
• Contribute to a positive culture of continuous improvement, innovation, safety and security.

What you'll do;

• Analyse communications, networks, devices and digital systems to generate technical intelligence and actionable insights.
• Investigate communication protocols and understand how they operate across different network architectures and platforms.
• Examine data from a variety of sources, including network captures, wireless communications, embedded device interfaces and system data stores.
• Develop and apply analytical tools, scripts and bespoke techniques to solve complex technical challenges.
• Identify system behaviours, vulnerabilities and opportunities to improve understanding of technologies and their operation.
• Produce clear, authoritative technical reports and communicate complex findings to a range of stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions to challenging problems.
• Lead technical activities, support project delivery and contribute to shaping future analytical capabilities.
• Coach and mentor colleagues, sharing knowledge and promoting best practice across the team.
• Contribute to a positive culture of continuous improvement, innovation, safety and security.

Person specification

What We're Looking For

• A degree in a STEM discipline such as Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics or Embedded Systems, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience using at least one programming language such as Python, C or C++.
• A strong understanding of computer networking and an interest in analysing communication protocols.
• Experience working with Linux operating systems and command-line environments.
• Practical experience using data, packet or binary analysis tools such as Wireshark, Ghidra or 010 Editor.
• A basic understanding of electronics and hardware technologies.
• Experience solving complex technical problems by gathering, analysing and interpreting information from multiple sources.
• A demonstrable curiosity for understanding how technologies work, including communications, data storage and interactions between system components.
• Experience working within or leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting the development of others

Please review the attached job description for more detailed information Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

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.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team [email protected] and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting will take place week commencing the 2nd of November with interviews taking place from the 9th of November. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Cyber Recruitment Team
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email [email protected] stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.