Graduate Security Architect

Leonardo UK Ltd; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Bristol is looking for graduates to join their 12-month Graduate Programme in Security Architecture. You will receive a starting salary of £34,000, plus various bonuses. The role involves applying cyber threat knowledge, developing security frameworks, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance organizational security. Candidates should hold a minimum 2:2 Bachelor's degree in a STEM subject and be prepared for hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous leave and flexi-days

Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Flexible benefits spending

Qualifications

• Minimum of a 2:2 Bachelor’s/Integrated Master’s degree in a STEM field.
• Strong analytical skills to assess security controls.
• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Apply understanding of cyber threats to design secure systems.
• Support development of security architecture frameworks.
• Assist in security assessments of existing architectures.

Skills

Understanding of cyber threats

Risk mitigation strategies

Security architecture frameworks

Security assessments

Security technologies knowledge

Education

Minimum 2:2 Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Identity and access management (IAM)

Encryption

Intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDPS)

Job description

Job Description:

Your impact

Are you ready to launch your career and make an impact on real-world projects from day one?

At Leonardo, we’re looking for graduates who want to be part of something bigger—shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

We are committed to developing our graduates into leading technical or business professionals, and as such we will also support you through your preferred route for professional development.

Our 12 month Graduate Programme gives you the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging projects alongside subject matter experts.

On joining, you will receive a starting salary of £34,000 per annum, plus a £1,000 welcome bonus. You’ll also be eligible for a £1,000 exit bonus upon successful completion of the programme. In addition, you may be eligible for a Temporary Accommodation Allowance (TAA), subject to specific criteria.

We encourage you to spend at least three days each week on site to integrate with your team and maximise your learning experience.

Key Responsibilities (Security Architecture Focus):

• Apply a deep understanding of cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and risk mitigation strategies to design secure systems and architectures that protect organisations and their assets.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of security architecture frameworks, ensuring alignment with business and technical requirements.
• Support the design of secure network and system architectures, including cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments, incorporating principles such as zero trust, defence-in-depth, and secure-by-design.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define and documentand develop security controls, policies, and standards across enterprise and solution architectures.
• Assist in security assessments of existing architectures, identifying gaps and recommending improvements to enhance resilience and compliance.
• Gain hands‑on experience in security architecture modelling, threat modelling, and secure design reviews.
• Learn to integrate security into the systems engineering lifecycle, from requirements analysis through to implementation and operations.
• Develop practical knowledge of security technologies, such as identity and access management (IAM), public key encryption (PKI), encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDPS), and how they fit into architectural designs.

Role Requirements:

All of our roles require (a) a minimum of a 2:2 Bachelors/Integrated Master’s degree, or (b) a higher degree, such as a MSc or PhD in a STEM related subject including Cyber security.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
• Secure your future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your wellbeing matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding performance: All employees are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Join in our success: Our annual Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides you the opportunity to own shares in Leonardo.
• Tailored perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/company-benefits

We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people, communities and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location: GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid