Job Title

About Our Client Our client is a defencealigned technology organisation delivering secure, sovereign platforms into highly regulated Australian government and national security environments. The organisation operates in missioncritical contexts where security, resilience, and compliance are paramount, supporting systems that must meet stringent Australian defence and government security standards. As part of continued growth, they are investing in senior cybersecurity leadership to strengthen and scale their security posture. About the Role We are seeking an experienced Principal Cybersecurity Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and oversight of cybersecurity architecture across networks, platforms, and onpremise environments. This is a senior, handson role with responsibility for security architecture, technical controls, and compliance, including supporting and maintaining Authority to Operate (ATO) requirements. You will act as a technical authority, working closely with engineering and operations teams to embed security into system design, delivery, and ongoing operations. Key Responsibilities Define and enforce cybersecurity standards aligned with ASD ISM, Essential Eight, NIST, and ISO/IEC 27001 Lead the design and implementation of defencegrade security architecture across platforms and infrastructure Support ATO preparation and maintenance, including security documentation, risk registers, and evidence packs Implement and validate technical security controls in secure and classified environments Design and manage security automation pipelines using tools such as Ansible, Terraform, and Packer Develop and deploy tooling to automate hardening, remediation, and vulnerability management Conduct risk assessments, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and security audits Monitor and analyse security logs and events to detect, assess, and respond to threats Work with engineering teams to implement secure authentication, encryption, and access controls Evaluate emerging cybersecurity technologies and recommend improvements Provide expert technical guidance and leadership on complex security challenges The Successful Candidate You will be a senior cybersecurity professional with deep technical expertise and experience operating in highsecurity, regulated environments. Essential experience: 6+ years experience in cybersecurity engineering or architecture, ideally within defence, government, or critical infrastructure Strong knowledge of Australian security frameworks, including ASD ISM and Essential Eight Experience supporting or maintaining Authority to Operate (ATO) Strong expertise across Linux and Windows systems, networking security, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) Handson experience with security automation and infrastructureascode tools Strong scripting or development skills (e.g. Python, Bash, Java, or Ruby) Ability to act as a technical authority and trusted advisor Australian citizenship with eligibility to obtain and maintain NV2 security clearance Highly regarded: CISSP or equivalent cybersecurity certification ASDrecognised cybersecurity credentials Experience working in classified or highly restricted environments Familiarity with SIEM, logging, and monitoring platforms Exposure to DevSecOps practices Whats on offer? Permanent role in a missioncritical, defencealigned environment Canberrabased position with deep technical ownership and influence Opportunity to shape enterprisewide security architecture Competitive salary package including superannuation and benefits - $175,000 - $205,000 + super + bonus Longterm career growth working alongside senior platform and security leaders