Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst

DEFEND; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3.5% KiwiSaver on top of base salary

Southern Cross Health Insurance

Mobile and broadband discounts

Flexible, hybrid work environment

Home office allowance

Access to EAP services

Job summary

DEFEND in Wellington is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst to lead vulnerability management, hunt adversaries, and investigate incidents. You will partner with customers to stay ahead of threats and drive remediation across identity, endpoints, and networks.

You'll automate security operations, develop and refine playbooks, and contribute to cloud security posture while delivering meaningful, high-quality reports for decision-makers.

Qualifications

• Experience with vulnerability management platforms (e.g. Qualys, CrowdStrike)
• Hands-on threat hunting and security operations expertise
• Experience with SIEM/EDR and modern security tooling
• Scripting/automation skills (Python, PowerShell, Bash, or AI)
• Confident communicator translating risk into business impact

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end vulnerability management across infrastructure, endpoints, and applications
• Identify, prioritise, and communicate risk from exposures to zero-day threats
• Conduct proactive threat hunting using modern query languages
• Investigate and respond to security incidents across identity, endpoint, and network layers
• Automate security operations using Python, PowerShell, Bash, and/or emerging AI techniques
• Partner with stakeholders to drive remediation and risk reduction
• Deliver high-quality reporting and insights influencing decisions
• Contribute to cloud security posture and hardening initiatives
• Continuously improve playbooks, processes, and detection capability

Skills

Vulnerability management

Risk prioritisation

Threat hunting

Security operations

Scripting/automation

Communication

Curiosity/ownership

Tools

Qualys

CrowdStrike

SIEM

EDR

Job description

Ready to hunt threats, reduce risk, and shape the future of cyberdefence?

At DEFEND, we don't just respond to cyberthreats, we engineer resilience. We're looking for a Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst to lead from the front: driving vulnerability management, hunting adversaries, investigating incidents and partnering with customers to stay one step ahead.

Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst

DEFEND | Wellington

Requirements

Why this role matters

You'll be at the heart of protecting critical environments—translating complex risks into clear action, and turning insight into stronger, smarter security.

Whatyou'lldo

• Own end-to-end vulnerability management across infrastructure, endpoints, and applications
• Identify,prioritise, and communicate risk—from everyday exposures to zero-day threats
• Conduct proactive threat hunting using modern query languages (KQL, CQL)
• Investigate and respond to real-world security incidents across identity, endpoint, and network layers
• Automate security operations using Python, PowerShell, Bash, and/or emerging AI techniques
• Partner with stakeholders to drive remediation and risk reduction
• Deliver high-quality reporting and insights that influence decision-making
• Contribute to cloud security posture and hardening initiatives
• Continuously improve playbooks, processes, and detection capability

Whatyou'llbring

• Experience with vulnerability management platforms (e.g.Qualys, CrowdStrike)
• Solid grasp of riskprioritisationframeworks
• Hands-on threat hunting and security operations expertise
• Experience with SIEM, EDR, and modern security tooling
• Scripting/automation skills (Python, PowerShell, or AI)
• Confident communicator who can translate technical risk into business impact
• A mindset geared toward curiosity, ownership, and continuous improvement

What'sin it for you

• Work with a team that lives the DEFEND Way: Understanding, Partnership, Ownership, Guardianship, Excellence
• Deepen your expertise in large-scale risk and vulnerability management as well as automation
• Influence how modern cyberdefence is delivered
• Clear pathways into senior engineering or leadership roles
• Be part of a culture that values excellence, growth, and innovation

The bottom line

If you're a cyber operator who thrives on solving complex problems, partnering with customers, and making a real impact, we want to hear from you.

Please note this is an on-site role at a customer premises.

Benefits

About DEFEND:

Our dream at DEFEND is to improve everyday life by creating a cyber resilient world. Over the last few years, we've experienced phenomenal growth, working with a wide variety of customers and winning several industry awards, including Microsoft's Global Partner of theYear for 2025!

Why DEFEND?

We believe in investing in our employees' growth and providing them with opportunities to advance their skills and careers. We offer a collaborative workplace culture, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where innovative thinking is encouraged.

By joining our innovative and creative team you will have the opportunity to contribute a variety of cybersecurity outcomes, from culture & awareness of cyber resilience, through to offensive & defensive security. No matter what your role, everyone at DEFEND contributes towards our dream ofcreating a cyber resilient world.

The benefits of working at DEFEND

In addition to working for a growing, dynamic NZcompany, DEFEND offers the following benefits to all ourDEFENDers

• 3.5%Kiwisaveron top of your base salary
• Southern Cross Health Insurance coverage
• Mobile and Broadband discounts for yourself and family
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• An allowance to contribute to your home office setup
• Access to EAP services to support youacross a range of wellbeing needs

Diversity & Inclusion:

At DEFEND, we celebrate a variety of perspectives and experiences. We know from experience that people from underrepresented groups often don't apply for roles they don't feel they meet all the criteria for. We're committed to creating an environment that enables all our team to thrive. If you think you have what it takes, but don't check every single box, we'd love to hear how you might contribute to the team and being our next DEFENDer.