Senior Cyber Security Engineer

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Senior Cyber Security Engineer to join our team and play a key role in protecting and strengthening complex IT environments across both on-premise and cloud platforms.

If you're passionate about staying one step ahead of evolving cyber threats, have hands-on experience with security tooling, threat analysis and secure network infrastructure, and thrive on finding ways to enhance security controls, this could be the opportunity for you.

We're looking for a proactive, methodical problem solver with a strong security-first mindset and the confidence to engage with stakeholders at all levels.

What You'll Be Doing

As the Senior Cyber Security Engineer, you'll take ownership of strengthening our security posture, protecting critical infrastructure and staying ahead of emerging cyber threats.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Securing Network Infrastructure: Maintain and enhance firewalls, VPNs, network segmentation and secure remote access controls.
• Strengthening Endpoint Security: Manage and optimise endpoint security solutions, including XDR, vulnerability management tools and device hardening standards.
• Enhancing Threat Detection: Analyse emerging threats and implement effective monitoring and response measures to strengthen detection capabilities.
• Working with SIEM/SOC Providers: Collaborate with our external providers to improve detection, alerting, investigation and automated response capabilities.
• Security Monitoring & Compliance: Ensure security logs are effectively captured, monitored and retained to meet compliance and audit requirements.
• Incident Response: Support cyber security incident investigations, root cause analysis and the development of remediation recommendations.
• Automation & Continuous Improvement: Automate security processes, controls and monitoring using technologies such as PowerShell, Python, Terraform or similar.
• Vulnerability Management: Lead vulnerability assessments and drive effective remediation and patching across network and endpoint environments.
• Secure Design & Architecture: Support security design reviews for new applications, cloud services and infrastructure changes.
• Third-Party Security: Assist with supplier security assessments and technical reviews of third-party integrations.

What We're Looking for in You

We're looking for a technically strong, hands-on security professional who brings the experience, confidence and initiative to take ownership of security challenges and drive continuous improvement.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Network Security Expertise: Strong hands-on experience in network security engineering, including firewalls, perimeter security, endpoint protection and XDR solutions.
• Secure Network Design: A solid understanding of network security principles, including VLANs, VPNs, DNS, TCP/IP, network segmentation and access controls.
• Cloud Security: Experience securing cloud environments, particularly Microsoft Azure and AWS, covering identity management, RBAC, conditional access and threat protection.
• Security Frameworks & Compliance: Experience working with recognised frameworks and standards such as NIST, ISO 27001, CIS and GDPR.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate, troubleshoot and resolve complex security issues.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills and the confidence to engage, influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ownership & Initiative: A proactive approach, with the ability to take ownership of security decisions, drive improvements and deliver outcomes.
• Experience: Proven experience working within a network security or cyber security engineering environment.

What You'll Get in Return

• A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company's success
• 25 days' paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
• A generous pension scheme – employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
• Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
• Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents
• Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!

About Unite Students

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is the UK`s largest provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 23 leading university towns and cities, with over 70,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn`t just what we do but who we are.

People make Unite Students. Employees, students, and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.

Room for Everyone

We`re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we`re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with passion. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.

We are US.