Principal Security Engineer

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team; Brackley; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team in Brackley is seeking a Principal Information Security Engineer to set the technical direction for security operations and own the tooling estate underpinning our cyber defence. This is a hands-on, engineering-led role where seniority means staying close to the tooling and delivering practical improvements while leading through expertise.

This is a hands-on, engineering-led role where leadership comes from expertise; you will stay close to the tooling, guide

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on security operations experience in complex environments.
• Deep understanding of attacker TTPs and defense.
• Owns and shapes a security tooling stack, not just operates it.
• Broad fundamentals-led expertise across identity, endpoint and email security.
• Judgement and gravitas to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills to influence technical and leadership teams.
• High attention to detail and strong operational discipline.
• Experience with CrowdStrike or similar ecosystems.
• Automation scripting/SOAR experience desirable.
• Experience working with managed security providers.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day security operations, including monitoring, triage, investigation and incident response through to recovery.
• Own and operate the security tooling stack, remaining hands-on in configuration, tuning, integrations and continuous improvement.
• Drive practical improvements that strengthen controls, reduce attack paths and improve signal over noise.
• Act as a trusted partner to IT and the wider business, providing clear, pragmatic security advice and enabling risk-informed decisions.
• Translate developments in the threat landscape into tangible updates to controls and delivery priorities.
• Work directly within a small, high-performing security team, contributing to delivery rather than operating at a distance.
• Provide direction and guidance, helping prioritise work and maintain high operational standards while remaining hands-on.
• Manage and optimise third-party relationships (e.g. MSSPs, tooling vendors), ensuring performance and value.

Skills

Security operations

Attack techniques

Security tooling

Identity security

Communication skills

Decision making

Tools

CrowdStrike

SOAR

MSSP

Job description

Brackley, UK

We have a rare opportunity within our Enterprise Technology team for a Principal Information Security Engineer.

The Role

This is a hands-on, engineering-led role. You will set the technical direction for our security operations and own the strategy behind the tooling estate that underpins our cyber defence - not simply operate it but decide where it goes next. You will be the final technical authority on operational security within the team: the person who makes the call under pressure, sets the standard others work to, and raises the bar for how we detect, respond and defend. What makes this role different is that seniority here does not mean stepping away from the detail. At principal level, you will stay directly in the tooling - building, tuning and improving - because we believe the best technical judgement comes from people who are still close to the work. Leadership is a real part of the role but it is leadership through expertise and judgement. You will operate as part of a tight, high-performing group of security engineers, protecting systems across both our factory and trackside environments. Please note, this role requires you to be onsite a minimum of 3 days a week at our Headquarters in Brackley.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day security operations, including monitoring, triage, investigation and incident response through to recovery
• Own and operate the security tooling stack, remaining hands-on in configuration, tuning, integrations and continuous improvement
• Drive practical improvements that strengthen controls, reduce attack paths and improve signal over noise
• Act as a trusted partner to IT and the wider business, providing clear, pragmatic security advice and enabling risk-informed decisions
• Translate developments in the threat landscape into tangible updates to controls and delivery priorities
• Work directly within a small, high-performing security team, contributing to delivery rather than operating at a distance
• Provide direction and guidance, helping prioritise work and maintain high operational standards while remaining hands-on
• Manage and optimise third-party relationships (e.g. MSSPs, tooling vendors), ensuring performance and value

Essential Skills And Experience

• Substantial, proven experience running hands-on security operations in a complex environment, at a level where you have been the senior technical voice
• Deep understanding of attacker tactics, techniques and procedures, and how to defend against them
• A track record of owning and shaping a security tooling stack - not just operating it, but setting its direction (configuration, tuning, integrations)
• Broad, fundamentals-led expertise across identity, endpoint and email security, with a genuinely tool-agnostic mindset
• The judgement and gravitas to make sound decisions independently, under pressure, and to be trusted by senior stakeholders to do so
• Excellent communication skills, with the credibility to influence across technical teams and business leadership
• High attention to detail and strong operational discipline

Desirable Skills And Experience

• Experience with platforms such as CrowdStrike or similar ecosystems
• Experience building automation for enrichment and response (SOAR, scripting)
• Experience working with managed security providers or specialist partners

Candidate Profile

• A hands-on security engineer at heart, who has grown to principal level without losing the appetite to be in the tooling and close to the detail
• Comfortable being the senior technical authority in a small team while leading through expertise rather than hierarchy
• Driven, tenacious and outcome-focused, with a strong bias for completing work and closing the loop
• Pragmatic and adaptable, able to balance risk, pace and delivery without over-engineering
• Calm and decisive under pressure, particularly during incidents or time-critical scenarios
• Curious and proactive, with a strong grounding in security fundamentals rather than reliance on specific tools
• High standards, collaborative, team-first, and motivated by collective success rather than individual profile
• Motivated by ownership, impact and the chance to set the technical standard within a small, elite team

About Us

At the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, every win starts with the energy to exceed our exceptional standards.

Its the belief and focus you give that powers our performance.

Whether you're leading innovation, bringing precision to our manufacturing or supporting trackside operations around the world, every detail matters.

Were setting new standards in our sport, together. More growth, more pride, more of what makes our team exceptional.

Give all. Gain more.

Benefits

• Our riverside factory is powered by 100% renewably sourced energy and features an on-site gym and exercise studio, subsidised restaurant and on-site parking with EV chargers available.
• We offer a competitive and attractive package of benefits including a generous bonus scheme, Mercedes car lease scheme, private medical cover, on-site GP, life assurance and 25 days holiday. We pride ourselves on our family-friendly environment and employee well-being programmes.

Why us

We believe that building a more inclusive and diverse culture helps us go faster and further.

From recruitment and building our future talent pipeline to internal communications and leadership training, we're building a team where everyone can thrive and contribute to our shared success.

Our aim is to attract, develop and retain exceptional people from all backgrounds, creating a workplace where all team members feel respected, supported and able to fulfil their potential.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are looking for candidates who are passionate about reaching their full potential and are excited about constantly learning and developing.