IT Security Officer (highly classified systems)

Job Description:

Your impact 

Leonardo UK operates systems and handles information in highly classified environments. As IT Security Officer for highly classified systems, you will act as the main security point of contact for systems and data at SECRET and above, helping ensure security controls are understood, applied and maintained through life. This role is likely to require regular on-site working across secure Leonardo UK locations, with hybrid working supported where appropriate for duties that do not require access to classified environments. 

What you will do as IT Security Officer for highly classified systems: 

• Act as the security point of contact for highly classified systems and associated data. 

• Support the application of agreed security controls, management plans and assurance arrangements. 

• Provide security architecture support and advice for highly classified systems, working with architects, system owners and operational teams. 

• Review security governance for project delivery, helping ensure security requirements, risks and assurance evidence are considered at the right stages. 

• Work with system owners, delivery teams, operational teams and Information Security colleagues to manage security risk through the system lifecycle. 

• Review security-relevant changes and provide informed advice on whether they remain within agreed security guardrails. 

• Support risk assessments, non-compliance reviews and remediation planning where controls are not fully implemented. 

• Help ensure security evidence, control status and assurance activity are maintained and available for review. 

• Escalate material changes in cyber or information risk to the appropriate stakeholders. 

• Support audits, assurance reviews and continual improvement activity for highly classified environments. 

This aligns to the operating model, which describes the role as taking IT Security Officer responsibilities for highly classified systems and acting as the main security point of contact for systems and data at SECRET and above. The model also describes the need for security architecture support, project delivery governance, security management plans and through-life assurance. 

What you’ll bring 

You will bring practical information security experience in secure, regulated or highly controlled environments. You should understand how to apply security requirements in an operational setting and how to support proportionate risk decisions without creating unnecessary friction for delivery teams. 

Essential experience and skills: 

• Experience in information security, cyber security, secure operations, security assurance or a related technical security role. 

• Experience working with classified, regulated, defence, government or similarly sensitive environments. 

• Understanding of MoD and other UK government security policy and frameworks. 

• Knowledge of security control frameworks and risk management practices. 

• Practical understanding of security risk assessment, residual risk, risk acceptance and non-compliance management. 

• Experience supporting security architecture, design reviews or technical security decision-making. 

• Experience reviewing security governance for project delivery, including security requirements, risk records, assurance evidence or readiness criteria. 

• Experience reviewing or maintaining security management plans, assurance evidence, control records or equivalent security artefacts. 

• Understanding of secure system operation, change control, access control, protective monitoring and incident response principles. 

• Ability to work with technical teams, system owners and security specialists to assess whether controls are being applied effectively. 

• Willingness and ability to hold the required security clearance for highly classified environments. 

• Professional security qualification such as CISSP, CISM, Security+, ISO 27001, Certified Cyber Professional or equivalent experience. 

• Knowledge of cyber and information risk frameworks or methodologies. 

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn. 

Security Clearance 

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). The role requires Developed Vetting (DV) vetting so you must be eligible for this level of clearance. For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting 

Why join us 

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive. 

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year. 

• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution. 

• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).  

• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme. 

• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. 

• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme. 

• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more. 

• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role. 

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website. 

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity. 

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.  

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know. 

Be part of something bigger - apply now! 

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