Cyber Security Operations Engineer

UniHomes; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A tech-driven accommodation platform in Sheffield is seeking a Cyber Security Operations Engineer to enhance their security posture. This role involves designing and implementing security controls, managing identity security, and conducting threat intelligence operations. Ideal candidates will have strong experience in IAM, security operations, and cloud security. The position offers a competitive salary and a vibrant work culture focused on innovation and employee development.

Benefits

Complimentary breakfast

Healthcare scheme

Enhanced maternity & paternity pay

Career progression opportunities

Employee Assistant Programme

Qualifications

• Experience with identity security (Entra ID / Azure AD).
• Good understanding of IAM principles: RBAC, least privilege, Conditional Access, MFA.
• Hands-on experience with EDR/AV platforms and device security.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, automate, and maintain security controls across cloud, SaaS, and device estate.
• Monitor and enhance logging, alerting, and detection pipelines across cloud and SaaS systems.
• Contribute to incident response planning and participate in post-incident reviews.

Skills

Identity security

IAM principles

Security operations

Strong analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Effective communication

Understanding cloud security

Automating security tasks

Education

SC-900 Compliance & Identity Fundamentals

Microsoft Certified Associate-level certifications in SC-300/200/400/500

Tools

SIEM/SOC tools

EDR/AV platforms

PowerShell

Python

Job description

Cyber Security Operations Engineer

Sheffield City Centre (office-based)

Salary: £40,000 - £50,000

We are looking for a Cyber Security Operations Engineer with strong SecOps, IAM, and cloud security experience to help elevate our security posture. You will focus on identity, access governance, endpoint protection, threat detection, and operational security controls, while collaborating closely with our platform and engineering teams.

Reporting directly to the Chief Technical & Product Officer, this is a hands‑on role where you will design, implement, automate, and maintain security controls across our cloud, SaaS, and device estate. You’ll help mature our security operations, strengthen defences, and proactively reduce risk across the business.

While the role is security‑first, a working understanding of cloud platforms (AWS) and modern engineering workflows will help you partner effectively with our platform team.

Identity & Access Management (IAM)

• Own identity security across Entra ID and SaaS platforms.
• Implement and maintain Access policies aligned to best practice.
• Automate Joiner, Mover, Leaver (JML) processes where possible.
• Conduct monthly access reviews for critical systems and automate reporting.
• Enforce least privilege, role‑based access, and credential hygiene across all environments.

Security Operations

• Maintain an inventory of all SaaS applications, users, and access patterns.
• Manage endpoint security tools (AV/EDR) and ensure full device coverage and compliance.
• Monitor and enhance logging, alerting, and detection pipelines across cloud and SaaS systems.
• Work with our SOC partner on investigations, tuning, alert health, and visibility gaps.
• Perform vulnerability management across identities, devices, and cloud workloads.

Threat Intelligence, Hunting & Monitoring

• Integrate relevant CTI insights and attacker TTPs into detection and response workflows.
• Conduct targeted threat hunts using IOCs, behavioural patterns, and identity anomalies.
• Improve detections based on real‑world threats relevant to UniHomes.

Governance, Compliance & Operations

• Contribute to incident response planning and participate in post‑incident reviews.
• Pro‑active PEN testing and ownership of PEN test reporting.
• Support audit readiness by producing evidence of controls and maintaining documentation.
• Improve security processes, playbooks, and automation across IAM, SaaS, cloud, and endpoints.
• Clearly communicate security status, risks, and improvements across teams.

Platform Collaboration (not ownership)

• Work with platform engineers to ensure workloads follow secure configuration principles.
• Provide guidance on IAM, network access, logging, and hardening for AWS services.
• Support platform initiatives (e.g., observability, configuration standards, resilience) where security input is required.

Skills and experience

Essential

• SC-900 Compliance & Identity Fundamentals
• Microsoft Certified Associate‑level certifications in either SC‑300/200/400/500
• Strong experience in identity security (Entra ID / Azure AD).
• Good understanding of IAM principles: RBAC, least privilege, Conditional Access, MFA.
• Experience with security operations, logging, and incident handling.
• Understanding DLP, or data governance tooling.
• Familiarity with Cyber Essentials, ISO27001, PCI DSS, or similar frameworks.
• Exposure to SIEM/SOC tools and detection tuning.
• Hands‑on experience with EDR/AV platforms and device security.
• Familiarity with automating security tasks using PowerShell, Python, or similar.
• Experience managing SaaS applications, user access, and configuration drift.
• Understanding of cloud security fundamentals (AWS or Azure).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work cross‑functionally.
• Proactive mindset with a desire to continuously improve security posture.

Desirable

• Experience with Infrastructure‑as‑Code concepts.
• Basic knowledge of Kubernetes (EKS) and container security.
• Experience supporting or participating in audits.

About us

At UniHomes, we’re on a mission to transform the entire student rental experience across the UK. As the market‑leading student accommodation advertising platform and utility management service provider, we make finding and securing all‑inclusive student accommodation simple, seamless, and stress‑free.

We’re not just another platform. UniHomes is developing innovative technology to deliver one go‑to destination that supports the entire student rental journey. With an unwavering focus on our students, partner letting agents, operators and suppliers, we continually evolve and enhance our products and services to exceed expectations, while tackling market complexity with ease and transparency.

Since launching in 2015, we’ve experienced rapid growth. Today, we operate in 60+ cities, partner with 1,000+ agents and operators, and are backed by Macquarie Capital and LDC. Our success has been recognised with accolades from EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50, The Negotiator Awards, and Great Place to Work® certification.

Our 140+ strong team is based in the heart of Sheffield City Centre, where we’re driving innovation, expanding into new markets, and fostering a culture built on collaboration, creativity, and growth.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and help redefine how students find their perfect home, now is the time to join UniHomes. Be part of a team that’s opening new doors to better experiences, brighter ideas, and stress‑free living.

What do you get when you work here?

With people and culture at the heart of our organisation, we are continually enhancing our employee offer and culture. We are incredibly proud to have been officially certified as a Great Place to Work® (GPTW®) and an accredited Living Wage employer - all our employees earn a fair living wage above the government minimum wage.

Working in our stunning new office at New Era Square in the centre of Sheffield, you will get complimentary breakfast, hot & cold drinks, snacks, pool table, holidays, length of service days, voluntary day, enhanced pension scheme, pension salary sacrifice scheme, healthcare scheme, Employee Assistant Programme, sick pay, enhanced maternity & paternity pay, career progression, a commitment to personal and professional development, employee of the month award, refer a friend scheme, staff discounts, mental health and financial support, and company social events.

At UniHomes we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can thrive and which values individuals for their unique perspectives. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.

Applicants must already have the permanent and unrestricted right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship as we do not hold a sponsor licence.

We want to hear your unique voice in your application. We love AI, but relying on it solely to write your cover letter and answer the application questions is a missed opportunity to showcase the originality and personality that will make you stand out. Show us the real you.

We do not accept CV submissions from recruitment agencies. Direct applications from individual candidates are encouraged. Thank you for your understanding.