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Cyber Researcher

Employer
BAE Systems
Location
Gloucestershire
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
23 Feb 2025
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Job Details

Job Description


Location(s): Gloucester and London



BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.


Cyber Researcher

Location: Gloucester, Manchester or London



Our world class team of Cyber Researchers and Reverse Engineers tackle some of the most interesting problems with a meaningful and tangible impact on the national security of the UK. We are growing our Cyber Developer team significantly and are looking for a diverse range of talent from experienced Software Engineers with a proven track record to those with a keen interest and aptitude looking to develop their skills in this exciting space!



We have a community of technical specialists with a friendly and inclusive culture with great opportunities to learn from experts and make use of a carefully curated training plan with some of the best trainers and conferences available.



Job Summary

An operational cyber researcher is able to plan and perform research into a wide range of systems and technologies with a focus on discovering and exploiting weaknesses in their design or implementation. The role provides technical guidance for customers as well as supporting bids and proposals. An operational cyber researcher has broad skills which generally involve, but are not limited to, the following activities:



Exploratory Research
Vulnerability & Technical Research
Experimental Development


Key Responsibilities

Researchers undertaking exploratory research are expected to:

Rapidly summarise and assess new domains
Provide domain knowledge for technical analysis, experimental development and subsequent engineering


Researchers undertaking vulnerability & technical research are expected to:

Know which pen-testing and reverse engineering tools and methodologies are appropriate to a given problem
Have experience of advanced vulnerability assessment techniques such as fuzzing and code injection


Researchers undertaking experimental development are expected to:

Develop, assess and prioritize prototype and simulated capabilities


Mandatory Skills and Experience Required

A wide range of skills are required for Cyber Research. The number one skill is being able to think systematically and take logical steps towards deconstructing a complex system. For lower-level work, an intermediate/advanced understanding of how computers work is important (eg knowing the difference between the heap and the stack, and between compiled and interpreted languages).
More required skills for this role include:



Technical writing
Presentation skills
Innovative problem solving
Team working
Technical Analysis:
Scripting (e.g. with Python)
Rapid development of prototypes or simulations (e.g. with C#)


Other Desirable Skills and Experience

As well as the above, an Operational Cyber Researcher will need skills and experience in at least one of the areas below. An ideal candidate will cover several areas.



Skills

Technical Analysis:

Network traffic analysis
Reverse engineering
Vulnerability analysis
Exploit development


Exploratory Research:

OSINT and interacting with SMEs
Developing new research skills as appropriate


General:

Technical Leadership
Team management


Knowledge

Exploratory Research:

Network architecture and security
Risk assessment
Systems engineering
Architectural frameworks


Technical Analysis:

Processor architecture
Operating systems and firmware
Standard and domain-specific protocols and data formats


Experimental Development:

Software development life cycle
Assured development practices (at a high-level)


Technology

A wide range of tools exist, and the researcher should be able to determine which are most appropriate for a given task. Types of tools used include:

Scripting languages (e.g. Python)
Traffic capture and analysis tools (e.g. Wireshark)
Disassemblers (e.g. IDA Pro)
Debuggers (e.g. gdb)
Decompilers (e.g. Hex-Rays Decompiler)
Virtualization environments
Integrated development environments
Domain-specific simulation and development tools


How you will be supported:

Work-life balance is important; you’ll get 25 days holiday a year and, via our flexible benefits package the option to buy/sell and carry over from the year before
You can work around core hours with flexible and part-time working
Our flexible benefits package includes; private medical and dental insurance, a competitive pension scheme, cycle to work scheme, taste cards and more
You’ll have a dedicated Career Manager to help you develop your career and guide you on your journey through BAE Systems Digital Intelligence
Don’t know a particular technology? Your learning and development is key to your future career
You’ll be part of our bonus scheme
You are welcome to join any/all of our Diversity and Support groups. These groups cover everything from gender diversity to mental health and wellbeing


Security Clearance is required for this vacancy. If you are not currently Security Cleared, you will need to be eligible for this and willing to go through the process. You can read more about UK clearance and vetting here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance



Why BAE Systems?
This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently under represented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals.



We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.



Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence

We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day.

By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being.

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential.

Division overview: Government

At BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, we pride ourselves in being a leader in the cyber defence industry, and Government contracts are an area we have many decades of experience in. Government and key infrastructure networks are critical targets to defend as the effects of these networks being breached can be devastating.

As a member of the Government business unit, you will defend the connected world and ensure the protection of nations. We all have a role to play in defending our clients, and this is yours.

Company

Whether you’re an experienced professional or just stepping out into the world of work, we’ve a wide range of career opportunities available. Whether it's engineering, technology or project management, you'll be helping our customers protect what really matters.

Our engineers are redefining global defence. From concept to completion, they innovate cutting-edge products and services across the land, air, and sea.

Digital is our future, and our IT teams are at the heart of it. Developing, implementing, and supporting the cutting-edge systems that keep the world safe and our business evolving.

Opportunities - 

Working at BAE Systems brings immense opportunity. A long and fulfilling career, with first-class training and lifelong development available to all, with all the support to help make it happen.
 
The scale at which we operate generates endless opportunities to work across diverse roles, specialisms, cultures and countries. Achieving our growth ambitions needs everyone to own their role and find their unique place. This is a place to be curious, build your network, feel empowered and motivated by your team, sharing in our purpose to protect what matters and create a safer future. 

As many of our team can demonstrate, it’s possible to have multiple careers throughout your time here. There’s always the opportunity to retrain or reskill, whether through a formal programme or exploring our on demand virtual learning platform where you can explore tailored resources aligned to each of our functions.  

Learning beyond your role - 

We provide the opportunity to get involved in projects outside of your primary remit. We encourage you to seek a stretch project in which you’ll gain different experiences. With our huge portfolio of products and our multinational presence, there are opportunities to get involved in something different around every corner. Additionally, we encourage involvement in community projects, STEM initiatives and our employee resource groups, which all provide valuable learning and development experiences that you may not have access to in your day-to-day role.

Learning and resources -  

Lifelong learning is a reality at BAE Systems, and we’re proud to be a diverse, inclusive, and supportive employer, helping everyone build a career to be proud of, delivering our purpose of protecting those that protect us all.

Our resources are accessible at any time and from any device and consider inclusive learning styles by offering these through a variety of platforms such as videos, books, guides and structured virtual learning programmes through our digital learning platform.

Discover a career with meaning, in a place where you can make a real difference.

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