Security Operations Center Architect

ZipRecruiter; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment platform is seeking an experienced SOC Shift Lead in Stevenage. You will provide operational oversight, mentor analysts, and ensure quality threat detection. The ideal candidate has a strong background in cyber security and hands-on knowledge of security tools. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits, with a focus on leadership in a mission-critical environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a SOC environment required.
• Hands-on knowledge of network security and operating systems.
• Clear understanding of the OSI model and key protocols.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations across Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams.
• Drive quality assurance and support continuous improvement.
• Mentor and coach analysts on shift.

Skills

Cyber security expertise

Mentoring skills

Strong communication

Tools

SIEM tools

Packet capture technologies

Job description

Overview

SOC Shift Lead — Location: Stevenage (5 days on-site) • Salary: Up to £70,000 (depending on experience) + 20% bonus + benefits • Clearance: DV clearance eligibility required

NOTE: Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be a British (or dual UK) and eligible for DV clearance

We’re looking for an experienced SOC Shift Lead to take on a pivotal role in a 24/7 cyber defence environment. This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a senior operational role where you’ll lead by example, mentor analysts, and ensure high-quality threat detection and response across shifts.

What you’ll be doing

• Providing live operational oversight across rotating Tier 1 and Tier 2 analyst teams
• Driving quality assurance on triage, escalations, and shift handovers
• Acting as a mentor and coach for less experienced analysts, supporting capability development
• Serving as the first point of contact for escalations and communications within your shift
• Logging procedural issues and feeding into continuous improvement of playbooks and SOPs
• Supporting incident response and contributing to broader SOC initiatives

What we’re looking for

• Strong background in cyber security within a SOC environment
• Hands-on knowledge across network security, infrastructure, operating systems, and applications
• Experience with SIEM tools and/or packet capture technologies
• Clear understanding of the OSI model and key protocols (DNS, HTTP/S, SSL, SMTP, FTP/S, LDAP/S)
• Strong communication skills with experience mentoring or coaching peers
• Ability to lead by example and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture

If you’re a senior SOC professional ready to step into a leadership role in a mission-critical environment, we’d like to hear from you.