OT Cyber Security Lead

OT Cyber Security Lead

Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
Employees work in a hybrid mode
Full-time
Salary: £57,117 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Division: Computing
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire
Confirmed Grade: Grade G
Department: Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions
Compensation: up to GBP 57,117 – yearly

Company Description

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.

UKAEA leads the way in realising fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative. We are proud to be an organisation that values diverse perspectives and inclusive ways of working. Our people come from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and disciplines, and this diversity strengthens our science and our delivery.

What we offer

As an employee of UKAEA, you will benefit from:

- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
- Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and Relocation support (if eligible).
- Flexible working options, including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
- Family-friendly policies and wellbeing support (including Employee Assistance Programme EAP and trained Mental Health First Aiders).
- Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
- Structured career development and progression opportunities.
- A genuinely inclusive culture where people are valued for their contributions.

What to expect

- The salary for this role is £57,117 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance).
- Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working.
- This role shall be based at Culham, Oxfordshire with occasional travel to other UKAEA office locations across the UK.
- For a step-by-step overview of how we hire from application to offer, please see our Recruitment Process page.

Job Description

Within the Computing Division, the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) unit delivers and operates enterprise IT and cyber security services across UKAEA.

As OT Cyber Security Lead, you will provide technical leadership for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of OT cyber security across safety‑critical environments.

You will act as the technical authority for OT security, ensuring controls are risk‑based, proportionate, and aligned with recognised standards (IEC 62443, NIST CSF, CAF, ISO 27001).

Key Responsibilities

- Act as design authority for OT network security architectures (segmentation, zoning, IT/OT boundaries, air‑gapping)
- Provide independent assurance balancing cyber security, safety, and operational availability
- Define and assure OT security controls (e.g. firewalls, remote access, monitoring, SOC/SIEM integration)
- Lead OT cyber risk management and incident response activities
- Own and evolve OT cyber security strategy, standards, and capability
- Collaborate across engineering, operations, and enterprise security teams

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who combine strong technical capability with the ability to engage effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Essential requirements

- Degree or equivalent experience in cybersecurity, engineering, networking, or related field
- Experience of OT/ICS security within industrial or critical infrastructure environments
- Strong understanding of OT security frameworks (IEC 62443, NIST CSF, CAF, ISO 27001)
- Experience in OT risk assessment and network security (segmentation, industrial protocols)
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and influence across teams

Desirable

- Experience integrating OT with SOC/SIEM
- Familiarity with OT asset discovery tools
- Knowledge of critical infrastructure regulation (e.g. NIS, CAF)
- Experience with ITSM / service delivery frameworks

Additional Information

Security Clearance

This role requires BPSS and eligibility for SC clearance (must have resided in the UK for the last 5 years). The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

Inclusion & Diversity

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and that starts with building a workforce that reflects the society we serve.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. We particularly encourage applications from people who are under‑represented in STEM, including women and people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

We recognise that not everyone will meet every requirement listed. If you are interested in this role and believe you have relevant transferable skills or experience, we encourage you to apply.

We are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process. If you need any adjustments or support at any stage, please contact us. All appointments are made on merit.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email us if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

Benefits

A full list of our benefits can be found on our website