Cyber Security Specialist: Engineering

Redherd.io; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A cybersecurity recruitment firm is seeking a Cyber Security Specialist in Cape Town. This senior technical role involves designing and maintaining security architecture and enhancing security tool operations. Candidates should have a strong background in cybersecurity, with hands-on experience in SOC tools. An understanding of security by design principles and the ability to collaborate across teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of relevant cybersecurity experience.
• Hands-on experience with SOC tools.
• Ability to work outside of standard hours when required.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the cybersecurity technology landscape.
• Utilise, maintain and optimise security tools and infrastructure.
• Integrate security practices into SDLC and DevSecOps.

Skills

Experience with SOC tools like SIEM, XDR, EDR

Knowledge of security architecture

Programming and scripting skills

Understanding of PCI DSS

Education

Relevant degree, diploma or certifications

Tools

SIEM

XDR

EDR

SOAR

Job description

Cyber Security Specialist: Engineering

About Redherd

Redherd is a specialist technical cybersecurity recruitment firm supporting organisations that are building or maturing high-performance cyber functions. We partner with companies undergoing significant digital transformation who need deeply skilled security professionals capable of driving capability, stability and long-term engineering uplift.

About the Organisation

Our client is a large, complex enterprise investing heavily in modernising its cybersecurity landscape. The security function is mature, well supported and undergoing transformation to uplift its architecture and engineering disciplines. The environment embraces a zero-trust philosophy, security by design and default, and the adoption of modern technology and AI to streamline and enhance security operations.

About the Role

This is a senior technical role within a small architecture and engineering team. The position focuses on designing, maintaining and enhancing the security technology stack. The work spans security architecture, engineering, security tool optimisation, automation, integration into DevSecOps and supporting advanced defensive operations.

The role requires hands-on experience across security tools, an understanding of defensive frameworks, and the ability to actively enhance and mature security capabilities. It also contributes to architectural reviews, security standards, and cross-team collaboration with security operations, engineering, cloud and broader technology stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the cybersecurity technology landscape
• Utilise, maintain and optimise security tools and infrastructure
• Improve technology solutions through automation and streamlining
• Maintain, enhance and secure identified security tools and platforms
• Work closely with the SOC to configure SIEM, XDR, EDR, SOAR and related tooling including scripting where required
• Enable mature active defence processes through ongoing validation of infrastructure, platform, application and data asset controls
• Enhance defensive capabilities in line with identified threats, vulnerabilities and exploits
• Integrate security practices into SDLC and DevSecOps using security by design principles
• Support security architecture reviews for projects and business initiatives
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key technical and business stakeholders
• Support operational and strategic initiatives across the wider security function
• Contribute to the formulation of business cases with relevant security inputs, standards and patterns

Additional Responsibilities

• Plan and prioritise projects and workload to support the roadmap
• Provide updates, context and insights to relevant stakeholdersSupport proactive threat modelling with internal teams
• Stay current with global security trends and translate insights into improvements in architecture and engineering
• Contribute to annual cybersecurity strategy and roadmap, with a focus on architectural and engineering disciplines

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12 and a relevant degree, diploma or certifications
• Three or more years of relevant cybersecurity experience, with up to ten years in IT
• Hands on experience with SOC tools such as SIEM, XDR, EDR, SOAR, CASB and CSPM
• Experience optimising and engineering security operations tools
• Knowledge of security architecture, threat modelling and cloud security technologies
• Ability to work outside of standard hours or be on standby when required

Advantageous

Certifications such as CEH, CISSP, CISM, CCSP, TOGAF or SABSA

Additional Criteria

• Experience with programming and scripting
• Industry certifications such as CEH, AWS or Azure
• Experience building or maturing SOC capabilities
• Exposure to automation and ML or AI driven tooling
• Practical use of adversarial frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK
• Knowledge of PCI DSS
• Hands-on cloud experience

Competencies

Technical Acumen
Makes sound technical decisions aligned to business and technology constraints. Evaluates the applicability of solutions and contributes to the IT roadmap. Sets technical policies and procedures aligned to evolving technologies.

Business and Commercial Acumen
Understands organisational influences and makes sound business decisions. Shares knowledge to enhance team capability. Maintains strong awareness of business operations and metrics.

Analytical Thinking
Applies deep analysis to determine and meet requirements. Identifies key issues and stakeholders quickly. Condenses large amounts of information effectively and anticipates consequences.

Results Orientation
Plans and executes activities aligned to strategy. Manages competing priorities and resources effectively. Considers financial implications of plans and monitors utilisation.

Collaboration
Builds strong partnerships across teams and shares insights on industry trends and opportunities. Coaches others in developing effective collaborative proposals and work plans.

Communication
Adapts messages to accommodate different audiences. Prepares a range of reports and documents from diverse sources. Communicates confidently and effectively with groups.

Adaptability
Anticipates change through awareness of research and trends. Identifies ways to adapt and improve. Encourages adaptability in others and applies learnings from change.