Cyber Security Engineer

Whizdom; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Whizdom seeks a Principal Cyber Security Engineer to lead the design and oversight of cybersecurity architecture across networks, platforms and on‑prem environments in Canberra. The role drives compliance with ISM, ATO processes, and secure agile delivery in a defence‑focused setting.

You will manage technical controls, SIEM operations (Splunk), and automation pipelines using Ansible, Terraform and Packer, while engaging with stakeholders across government and defence programs to implement

Qualifications

• 6+ years' experience in cybersecurity, ideally within defence or critical infrastructure.
• CISSP certification and government cybersecurity credentials.
• Strong expertise across Linux/Windows, networking security and cloud platforms.
• Hands-on with Ansible, Splunk, Terraform, and related tooling.

Responsibilities

• Define and enforce cybersecurity standards aligned with NIST, ISO/IEC 27001 and the Essential Eight.
• Lead design, implementation and oversight of cybersecurity architecture.
• Manage ATO processes, security artefacts, risk registers and evidence packages.
• Design and manage secure automation pipelines with Ansible, Terraform and Packer.
• Develop and deploy security tools, conduct risk assessments and security audits.
• Monitor security logs, respond to threats and coordinate with stakeholders.

Skills

Cybersecurity

Defence sector

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Cloud security

Security architecture

Risk management

Security strategy

Education

CISSP

Tertiary degree

Tools

Ansible

Terraform

Packer

Splunk

Azure

AWS

GCP

Job description

Principal Cyber Security Engineer

Permanent Opportunity | Canberra, ACT | NV2 Security Clearance Required Circa $190,000 + Super (flexible for the right candidate)

About Our Client

Our client is a mission-driven technology organisation delivering secure, scalable data solutions across highly regulated and critical environments. Their work supports complex, high-impact programs spanning government, defence-aligned initiatives, healthcare, and commercial sectors.

As a growing and innovative business, they pride themselves on building high-performing teams that value ownership, curiosity, trust, and technical excellence. This is an opportunity to join an organisation where your work directly contributes to systems that matter.

About the Role

An exciting permanent opportunity exists for an experienced Principal Cyber Security Engineer to join a highly skilled team based in Canberra. Working within a secure, defence-focused environment, you will lead the design, implementation and oversight of cybersecurity architecture across networks, platforms and on-premises systems.

You will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity, resilience and compliance of mission-critical environments, while supporting and maintaining Authority to Operate (ATO) requirements through the implementation of technical controls, risk management practices and adherence to the Australian Information Security Manual (ISM).

This position requires an active NV2 security clearance and offers a salary package of circa $190,000 + Super, with flexibility available for exceptional candidates.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the President, you will:

• Define and enforce cybersecurity standards aligned with NIST, ISO/IEC 27001 and the Essential Eight.
• Support the preparation and submission of cybersecurity artefacts required for ATO processes, including security documentation, risk registers and evidence packages.
• Implement and validate technical security controls within classified environments in accordance with Australian ISM requirements.
• Design and manage secure automation pipelines using tools such as Ansible, Terraform and Packer.
• Develop and deploy security tools to address vulnerabilities, automate tasks and strengthen security posture.
• Conduct risk assessments, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments and security audits.
• Monitor and analyse security logs and events, identifying and responding to emerging threats.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to implement secure authentication, encryption and access control solutions.
• Evaluate and integrate emerging cybersecurity technologies to enhance infrastructure protection.
• Communicate security strategies effectively across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide expert-level troubleshooting and resolution of complex cybersecurity challenges.
• Support the installation, configuration, maintenance and ongoing optimisation of SIEM platforms, including Splunk.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• 6+ years' experience in cybersecurity, ideally within defence, government or critical infrastructure environments.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent industry experience.
• CISSP certification (or equivalent) and recognised government cybersecurity credentials.
• Strong expertise across Linux and Windows environments, networking security and cloud platforms including AWS, Azure and GCP.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with Ansible, including creating and maintaining playbooks, roles and tasks to automate deployment, configuration and remediation activities.
• Practical experience with Splunk or other SIEM technologies, including installation, configuration, maintenance and ongoing administration.
• A strong understanding of SIEM implementation and the ability to articulate how security monitoring, logging and incident detection capabilities are deployed and managed.
• Experience with infrastructure automation tools such as Terraform, Packer, Chef or Puppet.
• Proficiency in Java, with Python or Ruby scripting skills highly regarded.
• Proven ability to lead cybersecurity initiatives, influence architecture decisions and engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Australian Citizenship and a current NV2 Australian Government Security Clearance (mandatory).

What's on Offer?

• Permanent position based in Canberra.
• Salary package circa $190,000 + Super, with flexibility for the right candidate.
• Opportunity to work on nationally significant and mission-critical programs.
• Collaborative, highly skilled technical environment.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and secure defence-grade systems.
• Genuine opportunity to influence cyber strategy and architecture outcomes.

Applicants will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including identity and work rights verification, security clearance validation and any additional client-mandated checks.