Senior Cyber Platform Engineer

Job summary

We’re excited to offer an opportunity to join a high-performing team within the Cyber Resilience Centre, part of DWP Security and Data Protection.

This role plays a key part in helping to protect the Department’s systems and services. You’ll be part of a team that builds and supports tools and solutions that strengthen our cyber resilience and help keep DWP’s data and services secure.

You don’t need to be a hardcore coder – we’re looking for someone with a good understanding of software development and modern ways of working (like DevSecOps), who’s also interested in security and making a real difference. You’ll work on a variety of projects, contribute to our strategic goals, and help us stay ahead of emerging threats.

As part of the team, you’ll also support others by sharing your knowledge, mentoring junior colleagues, and helping to grow our capability. This is a great opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

If you’re passionate about technology, security and want to be part of the dream team– we’d love to hear from you.

Job description

You'll join the Cyber Resilience Centre, where you'll help design, build, test, and run security systems. These range from cloud-native cyber data science labs to enterprise data platforms and integrated solutions that protect one of the UK Government’s most complex and diverse IT estates.

You will be leading the way in architecting and managing scalable, cloud-native applications—often setting the direction and guiding others along the way. You're someone who thrives on solving complex incidents that span multiple technologies and infrastructure layers.

In this role, you’ll be trusted to take technical ownership of major projects, driving innovation and continuous improvement, while ensuring the whole team is engaged and aligned with your vision.

You’ll be hands-on across the full software stack—whether that’s writing new code, configuring applications, exploring emerging technologies, embedding new tools, integrating systems, triggering CI/CD pipelines, or working across data and infrastructure engineering.

Person specification

• We're looking for a motivated, adaptable team player with a technical background.
• Ability to design and deliver secure, scalable, and low-maintenance solutions.
• Curious and eager to learn new technologies and programming languages.
• Skilled in troubleshooting and resolving complex issues across diverse tech stacks.
• Comfortable working closely with customers and providing operational support.
• Experience improving software systems in large, complex, and cross-functional environments.
• Proven ability to design, build, and support software solutions that align with business goals and user needs.
• You’ll have some experience in software development and an understanding of the software delivery lifecycle
• You’ll be eager to build your knowledge of enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and how the internet works behind the scenes.
• You’ll be interested in secure development practices and keen to explore DevSecOps tools and approaches.
• You’ll be ready to get hands-on with Infrastructure and Configuration as Code.
• You’ll have good familiarity with data platforms and databases, or a willingness to learn quickly
• You’ll bring curiosity about data science and a basic understanding of its concepts.
• You’ll have some exposure to AWS, Big Data, GitLab CI, Terraform, Docker

Willingness to occasionally work out of hours as part of a 24/7 critical service (with additional allowance).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Secure Development

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,447, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £12,876 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement.

Further details on this are listed on the application form.

Application

Candidates will be required to provide a CV covering work history, achievements in role and qualifications. Additionally, a Personal Statement is required, demonstrating how you meet the Person Specification (listed in responsibilities section) for this role (maximum 1000 words).

The sift panel will use the information relating to your employment history (your CV) and your personal statement of suitability to assess your experience, skills and knowledge.

When giving details of your employment history, you should include details of the work that you have been involved in, outcomes, and your role therein.

All applications will be assessed and sifted based on the personal specification in the advert, using the information you provide in your completed application form.

The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your appli