Cyber Security Detection Engineer

Aviva; Bristol; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus: 10% of annual salary

Generous pension—Aviva contributes up,

Private medical benefit

Employee share plan (Matching Shares)

Volunteer days

Job summary

Aviva is seeking a Cyber Security Detection Engineer in Bristol. You’ll design, build and tune detections in Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR to improve visibility, coverage and response to threats.

You’ll work closely with SOC, Threat Hunting and Incident Response, turning data into actionable protection while focusing on telemetry quality and scalable detection workflows. Remote/hybrid options available in a flexible security team.

Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience creating and tuning detections in Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR.
• Strong understanding of log pipelines, schema mapping and telemetry quality (e.g. ASIM).
• Experience using KQL and scripting (PowerShell or Python) to automate and improve detection workflows.
• Ability to work collaboratively across cyber security, technology and operational teams.
• A proactive mindset, with a focus on improving coverage, quality and efficiency in detection engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and tune detections in Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR.
• Strengthen detection coverage and response across Aviva’s environment.
• Collaborate with SOC, Threat Hunting and Incident Response teams to ensure telemetry reliability and logging standards.

Skills

Microsoft Sentinel detections

Microsoft Defender XDR

KQL

PowerShell

Python

Telemetry quality

Tools

PowerShell

Python

KQL

Job description

Cyber Security Detection Engineer

Salary: Circa £65K

Location: Bristol Norwich or York

This is a great job for someone who loves building and improving security detections and wants to make a real impact on how we detect and respond to cyber threats.

You’ll enjoy this role if you’re hands‑on with Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR, curious about emerging threats, and motivated to turn data into meaningful protection for the business.

A bit about the job

You’ll be part of our Cyber Security Engineering team, working as a Detection Engineer to strengthen how we detect and respond to threats across Aviva. You’ll design, build and tune detections in Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR—helping us improve visibility, coverage and response.

Working closely with teams like SOC, Threat Hunting and Incident Response, you’ll make sure our telemetry is reliable, our detections are effective, and our logging meets high standards. It’s a role where you’ll combine hands‑on engineering with collaboration and continuous improvement—making a real difference to our cyber resilience.

Skills and experience we’re looking for:

• Hands‑on experience creating and tuning detections in Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR
• Strong understanding of log pipelines, schema mapping and telemetry quality (e.g. ASIM)
• Experience using KQL and scripting (PowerShell or Python) to automate and improve detection workflows
• Ability to work collaboratively across cyber security, technology and operational teams
• A proactive mindset, with a focus on improving coverage, quality and efficiency in detection engineering

What you’ll get for this role:

Our purpose — with you today, for a better tomorrow — includes how we support our colleagues too. We’ll invest in you, your growth, and your wellbeing.

• Salary Circa £65,000 (depending on location, skills,experienceand qualifications)
• Bonus opportunity 10% of annual salary - Actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s
• Generous pension scheme - Aviva will contribute up to 14%, depending on what you put in
• 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Aviva‑funded Private Medical Benefit to help you get expert support when you need it
• Make your money go further - Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
• Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme
• Brilliantly supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave
• Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work
• Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others
• We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools
• Take a look to learn more. Put a salary into this calculator to see what your total Aviva Reward could be.

Aviva is for everyone:

• We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares.
• We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending at least 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.
• To find out more about working at Aviva take a look here

We’d love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, please give Kirthi a call on 02045922145 or send an email to [e-mail]