Principal Cyber Security Engineer

Southern Cross Healthcare; Auckland; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & wellbeing

Flexible working arrangements

Competitive rewards

Employee network access

Job summary

Southern Cross Healthcare is seeking a Principal Cyber Security Engineer to lead security operations, threat detection and incident response for New Zealand’s largest healthcare network. You’ll guide security engineering initiatives across cloud, on‑premises and modern platforms, while mentoring engineers and coordinating complex responses to incidents.

You will influence security standards, advance automation with AI-aware practices, and drive improvements in detection, response and

Qualifications

• Extensive cyber security experience across security operations, incident response and threat detection.
• Senior technical leader with mentoring experience and ability to influence across teams.
• Hands-on experience with modern security tooling and cloud-native security.
• Familiarity with DevSecOps and infrastructure as code practices.
• Knowledge of cyber defence frameworks and threat intelligence.
• Credentials such as CISSP, CISM, or other relevant certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape security operations, threat detection, incident response and vulnerability management.
• Drive security engineering initiatives across complex environments and critical systems.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to security engineers and analysts.
• Oversee on-call responses during significant cybersecurity incidents.

Skills

Threat hunting

Incident response

Security operations

Security engineering

Cloud security

Automation & AI security

MITRE ATT&CK

Education

Cyber security degree or related field

Tools

SIEM

XDR/EDR

SOAR

Identity security

Endpoint security

Network security

Microsoft security suite

Palo Alto Networks platforms

Job description

Principal Cyber Security Engineer

National Support Office - Auckland

Mō te Tūranga | About the Role

As our Principal Cyber Security Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of cyber defence at one of New Zealand's largest healthcare organisations. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced cyber security specialist who thrives on solving complex challenges, embracing emerging technologies and staying one step ahead of evolving threats.

Reporting to our Cyber Defence Technical Lead, you'll be the senior technical expert driving innovation across Security Operations, threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management and security automation, helping protect the critical systems and services our healthcare teams rely on every day.

You'll play a pivotal role in modernising and strengthening our cyber defence capabilities, providing technical leadership across Security Operations and leading complex security engineering initiatives. From advanced threat hunting and incident response to cloud-native security, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code and AI-driven technologies, you'll influence how we detect, respond to and prevent cyber threats.

Beyond the technical challenges, you'll be a trusted expert and mentor, sharing your knowledge with our Security Operations Engineers and Analysts while influencing technical standards, security priorities and future investment decisions.

This role also requires you to also be available on-call, providing technical response and support during significant cybersecurity incidents. You'll need the flexibility to respond to critical incidents outside standard business hours when required.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Extensive cyber security experience: 10+ years' experience across Security Operations, incident response, detection engineering and security engineering.
• Technical leadership: Proven experience as a Principal Engineer, Lead Engineer or senior technical specialist, with the ability to influence, mentor and guide others.
• Security Operations expertise: Demonstrated experience building, strengthening and improving Security Operations capabilities, including security monitoring, incident response, threat detection and operational effectiveness.
• Security engineering expertise: Hands-on experience with SIEM, XDR/EDR, SOAR, identity security, endpoint and network security technologies, ideally including Microsoft or Palo Alto Networks platforms.
• Cloud and infrastructure security: Strong knowledge of cloud, network, infrastructure and application security, including DevSecOps, cloud-native environments and Infrastructure as Code.
• Threat detection and incident response: Advanced expertise in threat hunting, vulnerability management, detection engineering and leading technical responses to complex cyber incidents.
• Security automation and AI: Experience with automation and scripting tools with an understanding of emerging AI security risks, governance and secure AI adoption highly regarded.
• Cyber defence frameworks: Knowledge of MITRE ATT&CK, threat intelligence and modern cyber defence practices, ideally with experience in cyber resilience exercises, incident simulations or digital forensics.
• Complex environments: Experience working in large enterprise, critical infrastructure or highly regulated environments, with exposure to MSSP, MDR or third-party security providers an advantage.
• Qualifications and certifications: Relevant tertiary qualifications in cyber security, IT or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience. Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, GCIH, GCIA, GCFA, OSCP or Microsoft/Palo Alto Networks certifications would be highly regarded.

Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:

• Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package
• Health & Wellbeing: Funded health insurance, a comprehensive wellbeing programme, and generous Christmas/New Year breaks.
• Flexibility & Growth: Flexible working arrangements
• Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee Network.

Ko wai matou | Our Organisation

At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear: to advance quality healthcare across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our values shape everything we do:

• Care First – We lead with compassion, delivering care that’s deeply human through genuine manaakitanga.
• Better Together – Collaboration is our strength. We unite diverse skills and perspectives to create better outcomes for all.
• Pursue Excellence – We strive to improve, innovate, and excel every day—never settling, always aiming to deliver our best.

If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail] for a confidential conversation