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Flexible Working: We supportfull time, part time, compressed and flexible hours. We’re committed to offering remote working across our organisation, however, our ability to do this is dependent on role requirements. This role will be around 80% (plus) office-based working, with working from home being the exception rather than the rule, due to the nature of the work. All working from home is subject to business need.
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks, and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
As an Operator, you’ll be on the front line of our efforts to pursue our targets working closely with Exploit Developers and Intelligence Analysts across a wide section of the business to understand our mission. This role brings plenty of new opportunities and challenges every day.
With a combination of technical aptitude and advanced understanding of the target and its environment, you’ll use a wide range of technical tools and tradecraft. Possessing excellent problem-solving skills and a willingness to experiment in a fast-paced environment, you’re able to work with a range of internet and network technologies including IP, TCP, UDP, HTTP and DNS.
We’ll expect you to have a genuine interest in technology, automation and virtualisation, and an understanding of Windows/Linux operating systems and security fundamentals. Knowledge of penetration testing tools and techniques, and WebApp vulnerabilities including XSS and SQL Injection would be useful, as would the ability to use network analysis and troubleshooting tools such as Wireshark and Splunk.
From day one, you’ll have a mentor and be surrounded by subject matter experts. And we’ll support you with plenty of training and development opportunities and cover the cost of formal technical courses. You’ll be encouraged to keep learning, explore new possibilities, and unlock your potential, and the skills you develop could range from operational infrastructure to the creation of sophisticated software.
We believe that with the right mix of minds, anything is possible. To join us, you’ll need to have (or be expecting) a 2:2 degree or higher in a STEM subject.
We also welcome applications from experienced candidates who currently work within a related field, regardless of educational background. Join us, and we’ll provide a mentor, training opportunities, and unique, varied work that you won’t find anywhere else.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team doing truly unique work, develop a rewarding career, and help keep the UK safe and secure.
At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.
To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our website.
