Exploitation Engineer
GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) is the United Kingdom's intelligence, security and cyber agency.
About GCHQ
A UK government executive agency responsible for foreign-focused signals intelligence and cyber security work. It operates the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which provides public-facing cyber-security guidance, tools, frameworks and incident-response services.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will work in an Agile team to design, develop, test and deploy technical solutions for communications exploitation. You will combine software, firmware and hardware engineering, research emerging communications technologies, prototype solutions, develop signal-processing capabilities, and work with operators to deploy technologies across global networks and military platforms.
Requirements
- Have a higher education STEM background through a diploma, foundation degree, apprenticeship or equivalent programme
- Have experience with at least one modern programming language or framework such as C++, Go, Java, JavaScript, .NET, Node.js, Python or Rust
- Understand digital signal processing, telecommunications and signal protocols, RF engineering, or FPGA and VHDL
- Demonstrate practical engineering or software-development experience
- Be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality
- Be able to obtain Developed Vetting
- Live within commuting distance of Cheltenham
Responsibilities
- Design, develop and deploy technical solutions that support mission requirements
- Contribute across the engineering lifecycle from user needs through testing and deployment
- Research emerging communications technologies
- Develop software and signal-processing capabilities
- Apply AI to complex engineering challenges
- Design bespoke hardware and RF solutions
- Prototype and experiment with innovative approaches
- Work with operators to deploy technologies across global networks and military platforms
Benefits
- 25 days of annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years, plus 10.5 public and privilege holidays
- Flexible working arrangements including part-time and compressed hours
- Flexible start and finish times where business needs allow
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Subsidised on-site gym, restaurant and coffee bars at some locations
- Paid parental and adoption leave
- Travel and accommodation expenses for required overnight travel to another GCHQ site
Hiring Process
Initial online application and pre-screening questions → online Situational Judgement Test → in-person assessment centre.