Senior Engineer, Cyber Operations and Engineering

Marketplace; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Customs Service in Wellington seeks a Senior Security Engineer to lead cyber operations and engineering, designing and implementing security controls across the technology environment. You will mentor engineers and drive security-by-design, Zero Trust, and continuous assurance.

You will lead vulnerability management, incident response, and assurance activities, reporting risks and trends to leadership and ensuring NZISM compliance.

Qualifications

• At least five years’ experience in cyber security engineering, cyber operations or related disciplines.
• Experience implementing and operating enterprise security controls in complex tech environments.
• Strong knowledge of NZISM, Essential Eight and MITRE ATT&CK frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership across cyber security engineering, operational security and assurance activities.
• Implement and improve security controls across cloud, infrastructure, network, identity, application and end-user computing environments.
• Drive Zero Trust, security-by-design and continuous assurance practices; lead vulnerability management and incident response.

Skills

Cyber security engineering

Security operations

Microsoft security technologies

Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Sentinel

Entra ID

Azure security

Vulnerability management

Incident response

Zero Trust

MITRE ATT&CK

NZISM

Essential Eight

Security governance

Education

Tertiary qualification

Tools

Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Sentinel

Entra ID

Microsoft 365 Security

Azure security services

Job description

# Senior Engineer, Cyber Operations and Engineering at New Zealand Customs Service, Wellington## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role**Help protect Aotearoa's border by strengthening Customs' cyber resilience.****About the role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi**Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and Customs needs strong technical security leadership to keep our systems, data and people safe. As Senior Security Engineer, you'll design, implement and continuously improve the security controls that protect Customs' technology environment.Working across Digital & Technology, you'll partner with architects, engineers and delivery teams to build security into our solutions from the start. You'll also provide expert advice on security risks and controls.**In this role, you will:*** provide senior technical leadership across cyber security engineering, operational security and assurance activities* implement and improve security controls across cloud, infrastructure, network, identity, application and end-user computing environments* drive Zero Trust, security-by-design and continuous assurance practices* lead vulnerability management, prioritising remediation based on risk* provide technical leadership during cyber security incidents and investigations* support audit, assurance and NZISM compliance activities* report on security control effectiveness, risks and trends, and recommend improvements* mentor other engineers and share security knowledge across the group.**About you | Ko wai koe**You're an experienced cyber security professional who can turn complex technical issues into practical, risk-based solutions. You build strong relationships and explain technical concepts in plain language.**You'll bring:*** at least five years' experience in cyber security engineering, cyber operations or related technical security disciplines* experience implementing and operating enterprise security controls in complex technology environments* strong expertise in Microsoft security technologies, including Defender, Sentinel, Entra ID, Microsoft 365 Security and Azure security services* experience in vulnerability management, identity, cloud, endpoint and network security, and security monitoring* experience supporting incident response and investigations* a strong understanding of the NZISM, Essential Eight, MITRE ATT&CK and Zero Trust principles* a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent practical experience (industry certifications such as Microsoft, ISC2, ISACA, GIAC or CompTIA are desirable)* a commitment to continuous learning and staying current with emerging threats and technologies.* This role requires the successful applicant to be able to obtain and maintain a NZSIS security clearance to Secret level.**Working at Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa**Digital & Technology is an integral part of Customs. We provide the products and services that support Customs and other agencies across the border sector. You'll join a collaborative team that delivers stable, robust technology and develops new capabilities based on customer needs.We're committed to supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We encourage you to use te reo Māori and tikanga in your everyday mahi.**To work for Customs, you must be able to meet the following requirements:*** Be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident* Residing in New Zealand at the time of application* Have resided continuously in New Zealand for the last ten years. Any exceptions to this will need to be discussed with recruitment to assess whether you will still be eligible to meet the Organisation's Security Clearance application criteria.**How to apply | Me pēhea te whakauru**Please apply **online** and submit your current CV and a tailored cover letter. Please note that we are unable to accept applications or CVs submitted via email.To learn more about this opportunity, please refer to the attached Position Description or contact Suzanne Leahy (Senior Corporate Recruitment Advisor) at [e-mail] **Applications close 11pm, Wednesday 18 November.**Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | New Zealand Customs Service || Location: | Wellington || Position type: | Ongoing - Full Time || Category: | IT & computing || Date listed: | 05-Nov-2026 || Salary range: | N/A || Closing date: | 18-Nov-2026 || Reference: | 49609 || Attachment: | || File links: | (ES PD) Senior Security Engineer - Cyber Operations and Engineering - October 2026.pdf || Website: | https://www.customs.govt.nz/about-us |Note: You may be redirected to the employer's careers website.