Cyber Security Engineer

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Flexible annual leave

Training on the job

Professional membership fees

Job summary

South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority (SYMCA) is seeking a Cyber Security Engineer to lead technical security improvements across a complex environment, including cloud, network, endpoint and identity platforms. The role focuses on security-by-design, vulnerability management and incident response within a Digital & Technology Services context.

You will work with MSSPs/SOC, drive security standards, and collaborate across Infrastructure, Cloud, Networking and IT Operations teams.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Cyber Security Engineering, Security Operations, Infrastructure Security or a related technical security discipline.
• Experience securing and modernising enterprise infrastructure and cloud environments.
• A strong track record of leading technology upgrades, migrations and security improvement programmes.
• Experience investigating and responding to cyber security incidents.
• Experience working with MSSPs and Security Operations Centres.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Azure and enterprise Microsoft environments.
• Experience with EDR/XDR, SIEM, vulnerability management and email security technologies.
• Strong understanding of identity and access management principles.
• Knowledge of networking technologies including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, firewalls and network segmentation.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to assess technical risks and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience within local government, the public sector or other regulated environments.
• Knowledge of NIST, CAF, ISO27001, CIS Controls or Zero Trust frameworks.
• Experience in threat hunting, detection engineering or digital forensics

Responsibilities

• Leading security improvement and infrastructure modernisation initiatives.
• Designing, implementing and maintaining secure infrastructure architectures.
• Identifying and remediating vulnerabilities and technical security weaknesses.
• Managing and enhancing cyber security controls across cloud, network, endpoint and identity services.
• Leading technical investigations and response activities during cyber security incidents.
• Supporting threat hunting, security reviews and resilience testing activities.
• Implementing and optimising security technologies, automation and engineering processes.
• Developing technical security standards, procedures and playbooks.
• Working collaboratively to strengthen cyber resilience across the organisation.

Skills

Cyber Security Engineering

Cloud security

Security upgrades

Incident response

MSSP/SOC

Microsoft 365/Azure

EDR/XDR, SIEM

IAM

Networking fundamentals

Problem solving

Communication

Job description

Cyber Security Engineer

Application Deadline: 23 November 2026

Department: Digital & Technology Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: DTS Cyber Security Manager

Compensation: £42,840 - £46,142 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Fixed term for 2 years
• Salary: Grade 9 £42,840 - £46,142
• Location: Sheffield (hybrid working)

At the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), we're delivering ambitious plans that improve the lives of people across South Yorkshire. As our Cyber Security Engineer, you'll play a critical role in protecting our technology estate, strengthening our cyber resilience and ensuring our digital services remain secure, modern and fit for the future. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced cyber security professional to lead technical security improvements across a complex and evolving technology environment. Working at the heart of our Digital and Technology Services team, you'll help drive infrastructure modernisation, reduce cyber risk and respond to emerging threats across cloud, network, endpoint and identity platforms.

About the role

As Cyber Security Engineer, you will act as SYMCA's lead technical cyber security specialist, providing expert advice and hands-on delivery across security engineering, infrastructure security, vulnerability management and cyber incident response. You'll work closely with colleagues across Infrastructure, Cloud, Networking and IT Operations teams to embed security-by-design principles into our services and technology platforms. You'll also act as the key technical liaison with our Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) and Security Operations Centre (SOC), ensuring effective monitoring, threat detection and incident response. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading security improvement and infrastructure modernisation initiatives.
• Designing, implementing and maintaining secure infrastructure architectures.
• Identifying and remediating vulnerabilities and technical security weaknesses.
• Managing and enhancing cyber security controls across cloud, network, endpoint and identity services.
• Leading technical investigations and response activities during cyber security incidents.
• Supporting threat hunting, security reviews and resilience testing activities.
• Implementing and optimising security technologies, automation and engineering processes.
• Developing technical security standards, procedures and playbooks.
• Working collaboratively to strengthen cyber resilience across the organisation.

The role also participates in the DTS out-of-hours on-call rota.

About you

We're looking for an experienced cyber security professional who combines strong technical expertise with a proactive approach to security improvement and resilience.

You will have:

• Significant experience in Cyber Security Engineering, Security Operations, Infrastructure Security or a related technical security discipline.
• Experience securing and modernising enterprise infrastructure and cloud environments.
• A strong track record of leading technology upgrades, migrations and security improvement programmes.
• Experience investigating and responding to cyber security incidents.
• Experience working with MSSPs and Security Operations Centres.
• Knowledge and hands-on experience of Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Azure and enterprise Microsoft environments.
• Experience with EDR/XDR, SIEM, vulnerability management and email security technologies.
• Strong understanding of identity and access management principles.
• Knowledge of networking technologies including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, firewalls and network segmentation.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to assess technical risks and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience within local government, the public sector or other regulated environments.
• Knowledge of NIST, CAF, ISO27001, CIS Controls or Zero Trust frameworks.
• Experience in threat hunting, detection engineering or digital forensics

Benefits

• All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.
• Holiday Entitlement - From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme - The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave
• Hybrid working - Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
• Flexible Hours Scheme - Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office-based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time-off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.
• Rewarding You - Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle-to-Work schemes.
• Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on-the-job training and qualifications
• Professional Membership Fees - Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.

Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements.

Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact [e-mail] or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.