Lead Systems Engineer - Cyber Security

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer (Cyber Security) to provide senior technical leadership across the Council’s cyber security services and to mentor a small team of Systems Engineers. You will drive security improvements, ensure compliance with frameworks, and work with Architecture and other leads to embed security in designs and operations.

The role includes leading incident response, vulnerability management, and reporting to senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in cyber security, infrastructure or enterprise technology environments.
• Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field OR relevant industry certifications.

Responsibilities

• Leading the operational delivery and continuous improvement of cyber security services, ensuring systems are secure and resilient.
• Providing expert 3rd line support and acting as senior escalation point for complex incidents and issues.
• Managing and developing a team of Systems Engineers, coordinating workloads and career progression.
• Leading or supporting cyber incident response activities, including investigation, containment and recovery.
• Overseeing vulnerability management, threat monitoring, patch prioritisation and remediation planning.
• Developing and maintaining cyber security policies, standards, procedures and playbooks.

Skills

Cyber security leadership

Incident response

Vulnerability management

Team mentoring

Microsoft security technologies

Audits & governance

Education

Bachelor-level degree in CS/IT or related field

Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA Network+, Microsoft, Cisco CCNA)

Tools

Security monitoring platforms

Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity to influence how cyber security services are delivered across a large, complex organisation and help drive improvements that genuinely make a difference.

The Government has confirmed plans to reorganise local government across Lancashire. From April 2028, the current 15 councils will be replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire.

If you're successful in your application, you'll initially join Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. As part of the reorganisation, your employment will transfer to the new East Lancashire council from April 2028.

About the Role

As our Lead Systems Engineer (Cyber Security), you'll provide senior technical leadership across the Council’s cyber security services, ensuring systems, data and digital services remain secure, resilient and compliant. You'll act as the senior escalation point for complex security incidents and technical issues, lead service improvements, and work closely with other Lead Systems Engineers and the Architecture Team to ensure security is embedded within the design, delivery and operation of the Council’s technology estate. You'll also manage and mentor a small team of Systems Engineers, supporting their professional development whilst ensuring high-quality cyber security services are delivered day to day.

Responsibilities

• Leading the operational delivery and continuous improvement of cyber security services, ensuring systems remain secure, resilient and protected from emerging threats.
• Providing expert-level 3rd line support and acting as the senior escalation point for complex cyber security incidents, risks and technical issues.
• Managing and developing a team of Systems Engineers, coordinating workloads, mentoring staff and supporting career progression.
• Leading or supporting cyber incident response activities, including investigation, containment, eradication, recovery, root cause analysis and lessons learned reviews.
• Overseeing vulnerability management activities, threat monitoring, security assessments, patch prioritisation and remediation planning.
• Developing and maintaining cyber security policies, technical standards, operational procedures, playbooks and supporting documentation.
• Working closely with the Architecture Team and other technical leads to ensure security is integrated into enterprise technology solutions and strategic initiatives.
• Leading the technical delivery of cyber security projects and service improvements from planning through to operational support.
• Supporting compliance against cyber security frameworks, audit recommendations, data protection requirements and organisational policies.
• Producing meaningful cyber security reports, risk updates and service metrics for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, partners and senior leaders to support the delivery of secure and effective services.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working within a cyber security, infrastructure or enterprise technology environment.
• Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field OR Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified, Cisco CCNA)

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of cyber security principles, controls and best practices across on-premise and cloud environments.
• Experience leading cyber security operations, incident response and vulnerability management activities.
• Experience managing or mentoring technical teams in a service-led environment.
• Strong understanding of Microsoft security technologies and cyber security monitoring platforms.
• Experience working with cyber security frameworks, governance requirements and audit processes.
• Ability to communicate technical information and cyber risks clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience of supplier management and working collaboratively across multidisciplinary IT teams.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Mohammed Patel via email: [e-mail]