CSOC Lead

Northrop Grumman UK; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Private healthcare

Pension

Learning & development programmes

Annual incentive program

Job summary

Northrop Grumman UK is seeking an experienced CSOC Lead in Cheltenham to guide a high‑caliber team of cyber threat analysts across the EMEA region. You will balance hands‑on threat hunting and digital forensics with people leadership, shaping incident response and security operations during complex events.

Join a global cybersecurity organisation and collaborate with teams across the UK, Europe and the US to improve defence capabilities, report to senior stakeholders, and drive continuous

Qualifications

• Experience leading or managing a SOC/CSOC.
• Proven leadership of teams, projects or operational cyber security.
• Strong incident response, threat hunting and digital forensics expertise.
• Experience using SIEM, EDR and network analysis platforms.
• Understanding of OSI network protocols and traffic analysis.
• Experience with threat intelligence methodologies.
• Ability to communicate complex issues to executives.
• Proficiency across Windows, Linux and Unix environments.
• Existing trusted relationship with the UK NCSC.
• Experience in defence or high‑classification environments.
• Familiarity with NCSC CAF, DEFSTAN, DCC frameworks.
• Certifications such as GCIH, GCIA, GCFA, CEH.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of cyber threat analysts and provide day‑to‑day oversight.
• Manage security operations across the EMEA region with monitoring, triage and response.
• Serve as Incident Response Lead for major cyber events, coordinating investigations and remediation.
• Lead advanced threat hunting and digital forensics using SIEM/EDR and telemetry.
• Collaborate with global CSOC teams to improve defence capabilities and processes.
• Provide clear cyber risk updates and executive summaries to senior stakeholders.
• Represent Northrop Grumman UK in government and industry security forums.
• Drive resilience through exercises and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Incident response

Threat hunting

Digital forensics

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

PowerShell scripting

Bash scripting

Cross-platform)

NCSC frameworks

Regulated environments

Nation-state threat awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science or related

Tools

SIEM platforms

EDR tools

Network analysis tools

Job description

Location: Cheltenham (hybrid, 3 days onsite)

Clearance Type: Must hold or be able to obtain and maintain the highest levels of UK Security Clearance

What's your possible?

At Northrop Grumman UK, you are part of a team driving innovation where it matters most, solving tomorrow's challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. We call it Defining Possible.

This mindset goes beyond our customer solutions. It is the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within the community.

This is more than just a job. It's a mission.

We are looking for an experienced cyber defender and people leader to lead our EMEA Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) team from Cheltenham.

This is a rare opportunity to combine technical cyber expertise with leadership responsibility. You'll lead a team of highly capable cyber threat analysts protecting Northrop Grumman UK and EMEA operations, while remaining directly involved in threat hunting, incident response, digital forensics and cyber defence activities.

Working as part of a global cybersecurity organisation, you will collaborate closely with colleagues across the UK, Europe and the United States, helping shape cyber defence strategy and continuously advancing our ability to identify, investigate and respond to emerging threats.

If you're motivated by protecting critical business operations, influencing cyber strategy and leading talented security professionals, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day.

What You'll Do

As CSOC Lead, you will:

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of cyber threat analysts, providing direction, coaching and day-to-day operational oversight.
• Manage security operations across the EMEA region, ensuring effective execution of cyber monitoring, triage, investigation and response activities.
• Serve as Incident Response Lead for major cyber security events, coordinating technical investigations, containment and remediation activities.
• Lead advanced threat hunting and digital forensic investigations using SIEM, EDR, network telemetry and threat intelligence sources.
• Work closely with global CSOC teams to improve cyber defence capabilities, operational processes and detection methodologies.
• Provide clear and actionable cyber risk updates, technical briefings and executive summaries to senior stakeholders and leadership teams.
• Represent Northrop Grumman UK within government, industry and security forums, supporting collaboration and information sharing.
• Drive cyber resilience through exercises, lessons learned activities and continuous improvement initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• Experience leading or managing a Security Operations Centre (SOC) or Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC).
• Proven success leading teams, projects or operational cyber security functions.
• Strong incident response, cyber threat hunting and digital forensics expertise.
• Experience using commercial SIEM, EDR and network analysis platforms.
• Strong understanding of network protocols and traffic analysis across the OSI model.
• Experience working with cyber threat intelligence methodologies and frameworks.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly to executive and non-technical audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency across Windows, Linux and Unix environments, including PowerShell and Bash scripting.
• Existing trusted relationship with the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
• Experience operating within highly regulated, defence or high-classification environments.
• Familiarity with NCSC CAF, DEFSTAN, DCC and similar national security frameworks.
• Experience assessing and responding to sophisticated nation-state and cyber espionage activity.
• Relevant technical certifications such as GCIH, GCIA, GCFA, CEH or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Cyber Security, Computer Science or a related discipline.

Most importantly, we're looking for a leader who is passionate about cyber defence, motivated by continuous improvement and committed to developing both people and capability in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

Even if you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Your experience, potential and perspective could make you an excellent addition to our team.

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of our work, you must be a UK national and able to gain and maintain UK Government security clearance in line with the job role and requirements.

Our recruitment team is on hand to answer any questions and will guide you through the process: [e-mail]

We offer a flexible and rewarding benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career and lifestyle, including:

• Flexible working options, including hybrid arrangements and compressed fortnights with every other Friday off
• Private healthcare, dental cover, life assurance and pension
• Flexible benefits package including critical illness cover and health cash plan
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• Career development and learning programmes
• Annual performance incentive programme

Why Join Northrop Grumman UK?

A Mission to Believe In

Every day we contribute to building a more secure and connected world. You'll work alongside some of the best cyber security professionals in the industry, defending critical technologies and supporting missions that matter.

You'll also have opportunities to engage with employee networks, STEM programmes and community initiatives that make a positive impact beyond the workplace.

A Place to Belong and Thrive

We know that innovation comes from diverse experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. Every voice matters, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone can contribute, grow and succeed.

Whether your ambition is to deepen your technical expertise, develop as a leader or influence cyber security strategy on a global scale, we'll provide the support, mentoring and development opportunities to help you achieve your goals.