Technology.

Already SC cleared, technically strong on AWS and automation, but finding that most National Security opportunities want you to arrive with a green badge? DevOps Engineer (SC Cleared / DV Eligible) – South West Location: Bristol / CheltenhamSalary: £60,000–£80,000 + BenefitsClearance: Active SC preferred | DV eligibility requiredFocus: AWS / DevOps / Cloud Engineering Already SC cleared, technically strong on AWS and automation, but finding that most National Security opportunities want you to arrive with a green badge? Not every employer takes that approach. I'm supporting an established technology consultancy that's continuing to expand its engineering teams across National Security and Central Government. They're looking for DevOps Engineers with strong AWS foundations, who enjoy building secure infrastructure, automating delivery and getting involved in the wider software engineering lifecycle. Importantly, there's an opportunity here for engineers who don't currently hold DV clearance, provided they meet the necessary eligibility requirements. The technical focus AWS: Designing and building secure, scalable cloud infrastructure Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, CloudFormation and automation tooling Containers: Docker, Kubernetes and Helm CI/CD: GitLab, Jenkins and automated deployment pipelines Linux & Scripting: Python, Bash and infrastructure automation Reliability: Monitoring, performance, security and resilient system design You don't need every tool on the list. Strong AWS engineering experience, a good understanding of automation and the ability to contribute to complex technical delivery are the priorities. Why it's worth a look The organisation combines the culture of a smaller specialist engineering business with the stability and resources of an established technology group. You'll have the opportunity to work on bespoke software programmes, collaborate closely with developers and architects, and take genuine ownership of the infrastructure you build. There's also a strong emphasis on development, including external technical training, career coaching and opportunities to progress into Senior, Lead or Architecture responsibilities. The work involves secure environments, so you'll need to be comfortable with on-site delivery requirements in Bristol or Cheltenham. Existing DV clearance isn't essential, but eligibility for the required security vetting is. If you've built your career in Defence, Central Government or another SC-cleared environment and want to explore the next step into National Security engineering, I'd be happy to talk you through it. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

I'm supporting a growing National Security SME in Cheltenham looking for Infrastructure and Systems Engineers who enjoy getting hands-on with complex environments, solving problems and improving how technology is delivered. Infrastructure Engineer (eDV) – Cheltenham Location: Cheltenham / GloucesterWorking pattern: Secure-site working, with flexibility depending on programmeLevel: Mid-to-SeniorClearance: Active eDV / green badge requiredSalary: Dependent on experience + package Not every engineering challenge in National Security starts with AWS and Kubernetes. Some of the most valuable engineers working high-side are those who really understand the infrastructure underneath it all. I'm supporting a growing National Security SME in Cheltenham looking for Infrastructure and Systems Engineers who enjoy getting hands-on with complex environments, solving problems and improving how technology is delivered. This isn't simply a BAU support role. There's scope to get involved in infrastructure design, deployment, automation and the evolution of secure platforms. The technical focus Linux & Windows: Enterprise server administration, configuration and troubleshooting Virtualisation: VMware, ESXi, vCenter and associated infrastructure Networking: TCP/IP, DNS, routing, firewalls and secure connectivity Infrastructure: Storage, resilience, backup, disaster recovery and high availability Automation: Ansible, Terraform, scripting and Infrastructure as Code Modern platforms: Exposure to Docker, Kubernetes or hybrid cloud environments You don't need to be an expert in every area. Strong infrastructure fundamentals, an appreciation of secure environments and an interest in developing your automation skills are more important than having every tool on your CV. Why it's worth a look The attraction here is joining a smaller, specialist engineering team where you can have a genuine impact. Rather than being confined to a narrow support function, there's an opportunity to broaden your technical exposure, contribute to infrastructure decisions and develop towards more advanced Platform, Automation or Technical Lead responsibilities. You'll be supporting demanding National Security environments where reliability, security and good engineering practice genuinely matter. Active eDV clearance is required, and you'll need to be comfortable working on-site in secure environments around Cheltenham. If you're an Infrastructure or Systems Engineer who wants to stay hands-on while taking on broader engineering responsibilities, I'd be happy to talk you through the opportunity. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

I'm supporting a growing National Security consultancy in London looking for Cloud and DevOps Engineers across SFIA 3–5. AWS Cloud / DevOps Engineer (eDV) – London Location: London | Flexible working around high-side commitmentsLevel: Mid-to-Senior | SFIA 3–5Salary: £70,000–£100,000 (indicative, dependent on level) + BenefitsClearance: Active eDV / green badge required You're used to working high-side, you're technically solid, and you know your way around AWS, automation and secure delivery. But are you still getting the opportunities to develop? I'm supporting a growing National Security consultancy in London looking for Cloud and DevOps Engineers across SFIA 3–5. These are the engineers who can get stuck into delivery, take ownership and solve problems independently, but still want to broaden their technical experience rather than move away from the hands-on work. The technical focus AWS: Building and supporting secure cloud infrastructure Infrastructure as Code: CloudFormation, Terraform and Ansible Containers: Docker, ECS and Kubernetes CI/CD: Automating software delivery, provisioning and deployment Linux & Scripting: Bash, Python and systems automation Security: Building secure engineering practices into delivery pipelines You don't need to tick every box. Strong AWS foundations, automation experience and an understanding of secure engineering environments are what matter most. Why consider it? The consultancy sits within the specialist National Security SME market, offering a more personal engineering environment than many of the larger suppliers. There's genuine scope to broaden your technical exposure, work alongside experienced engineers and develop towards Senior, Lead or Architecture responsibilities. The package also includes funded professional certifications, dedicated study time, private medical cover and access to professional coaching. Importantly, there's flexibility around programme commitments, recognising that working high-side doesn't necessarily mean being on-site five days a week. We've already helped engineers join the team and received strong feedback on the environment, leadership and opportunities to develop. Active eDV clearance is required, alongside the ability to work on secure programmes in London. If you're comfortable delivering high-side but want to know what else the London National Security market can offer, I'd be happy to give you a straight view of the opportunity. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Our client is a members-only luxury e-commerce platform, giving members access to sought-after products from global fashion houses at prices they won't find elsewhere. They're looking for a Product Manager to own the experience members get every time they open the app, land on the homepage or join for the first time.You'll own the roadmap for the iOS and Android apps, homepage and onboarding, taking each initiative from member problem through to release and measurement. You'll work day to day with design, engineering, marketing and CRM, and you'll be as comfortable talking APIs and data models with engineers as you are walking through a flow with design.What You'll Be Doing Own the roadmap for the app (iOS and Android), homepage and onboarding, from problem definition to release and measurementOwn the membership journey from first visit to paying member, making joining feel simple, premium and worth itShape personalisation and discovery so members find the products they want fasterWrite end-to-end specs before build, covering the happy path, failure states, edge cases, data and API requirements, and the impact on the wider member journeyDefine success metrics and the event tracking each feature needs Must-Have: 5+ years of product management on consumer-facing apps and web, with a strong technical leaningA track record of shipping consumer features end to end, with measurable results you can talk throughExperience in e-commerce, marketplaces, or subscription and membership productsA solid understanding of how APIs, data models and third-party integrations fit togetherComfortable in Figma and writing clear tickets and acceptance criteria in an agile team What You'll Get  £50,000-£60,000 A key role in shaping the future of the company Ownership of the experience members see and use every day A collaborative team working across product, design, engineering, marketing and CRM Career growth in a fast-growing business As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

A growing consulting business is creating a brand-new Business Analyst role, and you'd be central to how it delivers mission-critical products.  Business AnalystLocation - Gloucester, London or Manchester - hybrid workingSalary - £65,000 - £85000 + DV bonusActive eDV security clearance required Help shape secure digital services in classified government environments. You'll work directly with customers, delivery teams and technical stakeholders to turn mission needs into clear, actionable outcomes. This is a hands-on role for someone who is confident engaging customers, guiding Agile teams and continuously improving how they work. What you'll be doing Eliciting, analysing and validating business, user, data and technical requirements, aligned to mission outcomesTurning requirements into user stories, acceptance criteria, process maps and delivery artefactsDeveloping and prioritising product backlogs based on value, urgency and constraintsSupporting sprint planning and backlog refinement alongside Product Owners and Agile teamsRunning stakeholder workshops and forums to drive shared understanding and decisionsActing as the bridge between business, design, data and engineering teamsSupporting testing and assurance by clarifying expected behaviours and business rulesManaging changes, dependencies, risks and assumptions across the delivery lifecycleDriving continuous improvement in Agile ways of working and governance  What you'll bring Experience in UK Security & Intelligence, Defence or other secure government environmentsA strong background in business analysis, product management and Agile delivery within multidisciplinary teamsProven ability to manage complex requirements and translate them into clear stories and acceptance criteriaExperience refining product backlogs and prioritising against user needs and mission valueSolid knowledge of Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban), including planning, refinement, reviews and retrospectivesStrong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including facilitating workshops and delivery forumsAwareness of working with software engineering, data, testing and DevOps teamsExperience in process mapping, workflow analysis and capturing business rules, with an emphasis on traceability and change control  Security clearance: You must currently hold active eDV security clearanceAs an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

We are working with a leading consultancy who are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to join their team on a high-profile government programme. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a large, complex software delivery project and play a key role in driving outcomes across Central Government and Defence.   Senior Project Manager -  National Security & Defence  Location: Cheltenham, Gloucester (Hybrid Working)Clearance Required: eDV clearance Salary - £75,000 -£90,000 + excellent benefits The Role As a Senior Project Manager, you'll be responsible for ensuring successful project delivery from end to end. You'll lead teams, manage stakeholders, and adapt delivery methods to fit the needs of fast-moving and high-impact technology projects. Key responsibilities include: Lead end-to-end project delivery, ensuring alignment with client objectives, timelines, and budgets. Work directly with clients to understand their requirements and turn them into delivery plans. Provide project planning and support on activities including bids and proposals Manage project governance, reporting, and risk management activities, ensuring robust decision-making and timely issue resolution Managing customer and partner relationships, acting as a key point of engagement. Applying agile and scaled agile practices, alongside traditional project management methods. Providing strong leadership and direction to delivery teams. Essential experience: Background in delivering software-based projects within government agencies or similar organisations. Extensive experience in managing projects that range from conceptual research through to sub-system development, delivery, and support of programmes up to £5m. Strong understanding of agile principles and hands-on experience with agile ceremonies. Previous experience of working within multi-disciplined projects Excellent stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution skills. Commercial awareness across budgets, risk management, and forecasting. Ability to build, lead, and motivate high-performing delivery teams. You will ideally hold a recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP, or Agile PM. Due to the nature of the client's work, you are required to hold a high level of security clearance. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

We are looking for a talented and inquisitive Security Research Engineer to join our clients growing team in Hampshire.  Cyber Security Research EngineerSalary - £45,000 - £85,000 + bonusClearance - eDV cleared or eligible to achieve this clearance levelLocation - Hampshire - Hybrid working  This is a hands-on technical role for someone who thrives on solving hard problems, enjoys experimentation, and wants to see their research translate into real-world impact.You'll work across the full research lifecycle, from threat intelligence and vulnerability analysis through to prototyping and delivery, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on challenges that matter. Role duties Research emerging cyber security threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques in depthDesign and develop novel security tools, solutions, and prototypesConduct vulnerability analysis, reverse engineering, and security assessments across a range of platformsCollaborate with cross-functional teams to transition research outputs into real-world capabilitiesContribute to technical reports, whitepapers, and customer-facing deliverablesStay ahead of the latest security developments and share insights across the wider team  Skills/Experience Essential Strong background in cyber security, computer science, or a related technical disciplineHands-on experience in one or more of: reverse engineering, exploit development, malware analysis, or secure software developmentProficiency in at least one systems or scripting language (e.g. C/C++, Python, or similar)Solid understanding of operating systems internals, networking, and system architectureSharp analytical mindset with a methodical approach to problem-solving Nice to Have Experience with embedded systems, mobile platforms, or cloud securityKnowledge of cryptography or secure communications protocolsFamiliarity with vulnerability research tooling and frameworksPrevious experience working in a research, R&D, or innovation environment  If you're passionate about cyber security research and want to work on problems at the frontier of the field, we'd love to hear from you. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

As part of our client's expanding National Security division, you'll contribute to high-impact missions across AI/Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud, DevOps, and Platform Engineering. We're seeking inquisitive individuals who excel at dissecting technical systems, not just to understand how they work, but to identify weaknesses, assess risks, and develop mitigation strategies.     Cyber Software Vulnerability Engineer Package - £45,000 - £65,000 (depending in experience level) Benefits - DV Bonus plus excellent benefits Clearance - Clearable to eDV level, SC clearance required to start. Location - Hampshire   What You'll Be Doing Software analysis and reverse engineering of compiled or interpreted code that could be obfuscated or defensively structured, for either x86/x64 or ARM processor architectures. Reverse engineering a wide range of technologies to uncover vulnerabilities and improve security including operating systems and/or firmware internals, security architectures and hardware abstraction. Engineering software from design to delivery in modern IDEs and languages, using Agile delivery. Creating tested and testable code. Integrating with automated verification systems, CI and CD pipelines. Working closely with cybersecurity teams to prioritize vulnerabilities and implement patching strategies. Collaborating in Agile teams to deliver innovative, secure, and robust technical solutions.   What We're Looking For Proficiency in one or more of C, C++, Java or C#. Familiarity with scripting and automation using Python, Bash, Powershell or Groovy. Experience working with IDA Pro or Ghidra for reverse engineering Experience working with Linux or Windows-based systems. Awareness of secure coding practices and modern cybersecurity threats. Knowledge of principles used in Agile environments.    Desirable exposure Any exposure of AI, ML, Cloud or Virtualisation would be considered a plus.   Clearance required Due to the nature of the clients' work, you will either already hold or are required to go through the eDV security clearance process. SC Clearance required to start This is an incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of National Security innovation. If you're naturally curious, thrive in high-stakes environments, and want to make a real impact, apply today!   As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

We are working with a leading consultancy who are looking for an experienced Agile PM and Delivery Lead to join their team on a high-profile government programme. Agile Project Manager - Delivery Lead - Central Government & Defence Projects Location - Cheltenham - Hybrid Salary - £75,000 -£100,000 + excellent benefits  Clearance - eDV clearance required We are working with a leading consultancy who are looking for an experienced Agile PM and Delivery Lead to join their team on a high-profile government programme. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a large, complex software delivery project and play a key role in driving outcomes across Central Government and Defence. The Role As Agile Delivery Lead, you'll be responsible for ensuring successful project delivery from end to end. You'll lead teams, manage stakeholders, and adapt delivery methods to fit the needs of fast-moving and high-impact technology projects. Key responsibilities include: Lead end-to-end project delivery, ensuring alignment with client objectives, timelines, and budgets. Work directly with clients to understand their requirements and turn them into delivery plans. Provide project planning and support on activities including bids and proposals Manage project governance, reporting, and risk management activities, ensuring robust decision-making and timely issue resolution Managing customer and partner relationships, acting as a key point of engagement. Applying agile and scaled agile practices, alongside traditional project management methods. Providing strong leadership and direction to delivery teams. Essential experience: Background in delivering software-based projects within government agencies or similar organisations. Extensive experience in managing projects that range from conceptual research through to sub-system development, delivery, and support of programmes up to £5m. Strong understanding of agile principles and hands-on experience with agile ceremonies. Previous experience of working within multi-disciplined projects Excellent stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution skills. Commercial awareness across budgets, risk management, and forecasting. Ability to build, lead, and motivate high-performing delivery teams. You will ideally hold a recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP, or Agile PM. Due to the nature of the client's work, you are required to hold a high level of security clearance. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

I'm supporting a growing National Security consultancy in London looking for hands-on Cloud, Platform and DevSecOps Engineers across SFIA 3–5 AWS Platform / DevSecOps Engineer (eDV) – London Location: LondonLevel: SFIA 3–5 | Mid-to-SeniorClearance: Active eDV / green badge required You're used to working high-side, comfortable with AWS and automation, and technically capable of owning your work. But you're not necessarily looking to become a full-time architect or engineering manager just yet. I'm supporting a growing National Security consultancy in London looking for hands-on Cloud, Platform and DevSecOps Engineers across SFIA 3–5. The sweet spot is someone who has built solid engineering foundations and wants to keep developing, both technically and professionally. The engineering focus AWS cloud infrastructure and services Terraform and Infrastructure as Code Kubernetes / Docker CI/CD and automation Linux and scripting with Python / Bash Secure platform engineering and DevSecOps practices You don't need to have held every possible title, from SysAdmin to SRE to Architect. What matters is your ability to solve engineering problems, take ownership and continue developing your technical capability. Why consider this team? The consultancy offers a more personal, engineering-led environment than many of the larger National Security suppliers. There's scope to broaden your technical exposure, work closely with experienced engineers and progress towards Senior, Lead or Architecture responsibilities. The organisation also offers flexibility around programme commitments, recognising that high-side delivery doesn't always need to mean the same working pattern every week. We've already supported engineers joining the team and received strong feedback on the working environment and technical opportunities. Active eDV is required, alongside the ability to work on secure programmes in London. If you're in that mid-to-senior sweet spot, already established but with plenty of progression ahead of you, this could be worth exploring. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

I'm currently supporting multiple engineering hires across specialist SMEs, growing consultancies and established secure technology teams. Cloud, DevOps & Platform Engineers (DV/eDV) – National Security Locations: London, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bristol, Manchester and HampshireLevels: Mid-level through to Senior / LeadClearance: Active DV/eDV required for current opportunities Already working in the National Security ecosystem, but curious whether there's a better fit elsewhere? I'm currently supporting multiple engineering hires across specialist SMEs, growing consultancies and established secure technology teams. We're speaking with engineers across Cloud, DevOps, DevSecOps, Platform Engineering and SRE, with opportunities ranging from hands-on delivery through to technical leadership. Where we're seeing demand Cloud Engineering: AWS / Azure, secure cloud infrastructure and architecture DevOps & DevSecOps: Terraform, Ansible, CI/CD and automation Platform Engineering: Kubernetes, Docker, Linux and internal platforms SRE: Reliability, observability, performance and operational automation Technical Leadership: Engineering ownership, architecture and mentoring   What makes these opportunities different?   Not everyone wants to leave the high-side world. Sometimes it's the organisation, the programme or the working environment that needs to change. We're working with teams offering different combinations of technical autonomy, progression, engineering culture and flexibility. Secure-site working remains part of the reality, but working patterns vary significantly between organisations and programmes. We've already placed engineers into several of these businesses, so we can offer insight based on real conversations and feedback after they've joined. Whether you're actively considering a move or simply want to understand your options, I'm happy to share where the demand is, how packages compare and which environments might suit your next step.   One conversation, a clearer view of the market. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

I'm supporting a specialist National Security engineering consultancy looking for an experienced Infrastructure Technical Lead to help drive that transition. Infrastructure Technical Lead – National Security Location: Manchester preferred / Cheltenham consideredClearance: Active eDV requiredWorking pattern: Secure-site working, with travel between locations as required Strong infrastructure foundations. Modern engineering mindset. Not every National Security programme is running entirely on cloud-native infrastructure. Some of the most interesting challenges involve modernising complex, secure estates built across Linux, Windows, physical servers, virtualisation and increasingly containerised platforms. I'm supporting a specialist National Security engineering consultancy looking for an experienced Infrastructure Technical Lead to help drive that transition. This is a hands-on technical leadership role, combining architecture, engineering delivery and the opportunity to influence how secure infrastructure evolves. What you'll be working across Linux & Windows: RHEL/Rocky Linux, Windows Server, Active Directory and enterprise infrastructure Infrastructure platforms: Virtualisation, hyperconverged infrastructure, storage and server environments Automation: Ansible, Puppet, Infrastructure as Code and CI/CD Containers & platforms: Docker, Kubernetes and modern platform engineering Technical leadership: Architecture, HLDs/LLDs, engineering standards and mentoring Modernisation: Moving legacy infrastructure towards more automated, scalable and resilient environments Experience with Nutanix, secure infrastructure hardening, large-scale storage or high-performance compute would be particularly useful. Why it's worth a look This is an opportunity to shape infrastructure strategy, not simply maintain an existing estate. You'll work closely with engineering and security stakeholders, influence technical decisions and help an established delivery team move towards modern infrastructure and DevSecOps practices. We're particularly interested in engineers who've grown from deep Infrastructure or Systems Engineering backgrounds into technical leadership, but still enjoy being close to the technology. Active eDV clearance is essential. If you're comfortable operating high-side and want a broader technical leadership remit, I'd be happy to discuss the opportunity in confidence. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

An established, award-winning UK fintech is growing its Information Security team and is looking for a Senior Security Operations Analyst.  Senior Security Operations Analyst (SOC / SIEM / Threat Hunting)£55,000 - £65,000 + Bonus + excellent benefitsManchester or Leeds (Hybrid) About the roleYou'll protect key business assets by monitoring, detecting, analysing and responding to security incidents, owning threat detection and incident response at real scale.What you'll be doing SIEM ownership: Oversee the day-to-day running of the SIEM, working closely with Infrastructure, Networks, DevOps and an outsourced SOC.Detection rules: Define and fine-tune SIEM rules, and investigate alerts and incidents through to completion.Incident response: Gather and analyse data, then contain and respond to cyber security incidents as part of a dynamic monitoring and response capability.Threat intelligence and hunting: Gather threat intelligence from multiple sources, coordinate threat hunting, spot trends and attacks, and plan mitigation and remediation.Escalation and remediation: Raise problems, escalate through the right channels and track them through to resolution.EDR: Manage Endpoint Detection and Response day to day.Policy and control design: Help design, manage and document security policies, standards and processes, and design effective test methods for logical security controls.Staying current: Keep up with the latest threats, best practice and technology developments. What you'll bring Hands-on SIEM experience with Chronicle / Google SecOps, Splunk or Microsoft Sentinel, and a good working knowledge of event log data.Solid understanding of firewalls, IDS/IPS and Windows Security Event Logs.Knowledge of cloud infrastructure fundamentals alongside traditional technologies.Ability to quickly understand existing infrastructure, network security principles, data flows and security architectures.A proactive approach to identifying control weaknesses and vulnerabilities.Strong written and verbal communication, able to explain complex technical risk in plain business terms.A sense of ownership, with the confidence to spot what needs doing while working well in a team.  Apply now to arrange a confidential conversation about the role and client in more detail.As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Our client is seeking a Technical Project Manager to engage in projects that safeguard the nation. Working alongside the Head of Delivery, the Project Manager is responsible for delivering the strategic leadership of their projects, as well as implementing standard project controls and management tasks. You will bring an expertise in delivery of technical projects within National Security / Government environments and hold an active eDV clearance. Technical Project Manager- eDV cleared Salary - £70,000 - £85,000 + DV bonus Location - Cheltenham Clearance - eDV Key Responsibilities: Lead end-to-end project delivery, ensuring alignment with client objectives, timelines, and budgets. Work directly with clients to understand their requirements and turn them into delivery plans. Provide project planning and support on activities including bids and proposals Manage project governance, reporting, and risk management activities, ensuring robust decision-making and timely issue resolution. Foster strong relationships with key government stakeholders to understand and deliver on their unique requirements. Stakeholder communications for project planning, delivery, and maintenance. Skills required: Proven experience delivering projects within the national security, defence, or government sectors Extensive experience in managing projects that range from conceptual research through to sub-system development, delivery, and support of programmes up to £5m Proven experience in Research & Development, Product Development to Software and Solution Delivery. Experience working to Agile methodologies. Pre-sale / bid delivery experience and a thorough understanding of the business lifecycle Previous experience of working within multi-disciplined projects Excellent Stakeholder management skills Ability to create and lead positive working relationships with colleagues You will ideally hold a recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP, or Agile PM. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Our client, a leading organisation within the national security sector, is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to play a key role across the Systems Development Lifecycle. This is a unique opportunity to work on highly impactful, mission-critical programmes that contribute directly to national security outcomes.You'll join a collaborative, forward-thinking engineering environment where innovation, quality, and continuous improvement are at the core of everything they do.Systems EngineerSalary: £90,000 - £100,000 + DV BonusClearance Required: eDVLocation: Cheltenham (Hybrid Working)What You'll Be Doing Driving Systems Engineering activities across the full V Lifecycle Providing architectural oversight, ensuring robust integration and test strategies Championing engineering best practices and process rigour to improve quality and delivery Applying systems thinking to shape and influence complex customer challenges Supporting delivery across a range of methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid) Working closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-assurance solutions  Your Skills & Experience Strong understanding of the V Lifecycle Proven experience in architectural design oversight, integration, and testing Ability to implement engineering governance and improve quality standards Systems thinking mindset with the ability to solve complex problems Experience across multiple delivery methodologies Exposure to diverse client domains and relevant standards Key Requirements Ability to manage and influence multiple, challenging stakeholders Confidence engaging with C-suite, business, and technical audiences Strong working knowledge of ISO 15288 and IEC 61508 Experience within high-security or safety-critical environments  As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

I'm looking for a senior Java Engineer to join a small team working on building a load of new backend services for an existing platform. The role requires someone who can be in office a couple of days a week to collaborate with the small engineering and product team.  Senior Java Engineer: 6 month contract. Outside IR35, 2 days a week in Manchester. I'm looking for a senior Java Engineer to join a small team working on building a load of new backend services for an existing platform. The role requires someone who can be in office a couple of days a week to collaborate with the small engineering and product team.  What you’ll be doing Building event-driven services and integrations on Kafka Deploying and running services on AWS, working closely with DevOps on infrastructure and pipelines Writing clean, tested, production-ready code, and setting the standard through code review Working directly with product and engineering leads to turn requirements into working features fast Required experience: Strong commercial experience in Java (17+) and Spring Boot, ideally Spring Boot 3 Hands-on Kafka experience: producers, consumers, topic design, and handling failure and replay AWS in production, e.g. ECS/EKS, Lambda, RDS, S3, SQS/SNS RESTful API and microservices design, plus relational databases (PostgreSQL or similar) Solid testing discipline: JUnit, Mockito, integration testing (Testcontainers a plus) CI/CD, Docker, and comfort with infrastructure-as-code (Terraform or CloudFormation) Previous contract experience, landing quickly and delivering on a new build Hands-on use of AI-assisted development in your daily workflow, such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor or ChatGPT, for scaffolding, refactoring, test generation and reviewing generated code critically Kubernetes, observability tooling (Datadog, Grafana, OpenTelemetry) As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Our client, a leading consultancy, is looking for a Senior Project Manager to join a high-profile government programme spanning Central Government and Defence. You'll sit at the heart of large, complex technical projects, working alongside multi-disciplined delivery teams and senior client stakeholders to turn demanding requirements into dependable, high-quality outcomes.   Senior Project Manager - National Security & Defence Location: CheltenhamClearance: eDV requiredSalary: £70,000 - £90,000 + DV bonus + excellent benefits   About the Role Operating in fast-moving, high-impact environments, you'll have genuine ownership of how projects are delivered. You'll balance commercial oversight, stakeholder engagement and team leadership, and shape the delivery approach to suit each programme rather than following a fixed template. Responsibilities include: Owning end-to-end delivery of projects to agreed budget, timescales, quality and scope. Working directly with clients to understand their needs and convert them into clear delivery plans. Combining traditional project management disciplines with agile and scaled agile practices. Leading and directing delivery teams, building an environment where they can perform at their best. Running governance, reporting and risk management, with timely issue resolution and escalation. Acting as the primary point of engagement for customer and partner relationships. Contributing project planning and delivery input to bids and proposals. Continually reviewing progress and adapting methods to fit the project in hand. Required Skills: Experience delivering technical projects in government agencies or similar organisations. A track record managing projects from conceptual research through to sub-system development, delivery and ongoing support, on programmes up to £5m. A solid understanding of agile principles and experience working in agile delivery environments. Experience within multi-disciplined project teams. Commercial awareness, including budget tracking, risk management and forecasting. Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the confidence to handle difficult conversations and resolve conflict. Ideally, a recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP or Agile PM. Security Clearance Due to the nature of the client's work, candidates must currently hold eDV clearance. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

I'm working with a business that runs its ecommerce on an established Magento 2 platform and i'm looking for someone who can keep it running smoothly while it keeps evolving.This isn't a ticket-taking role. You'll be the client's go-to Magento expert and sit between the internal team and their digital agency. You'll set the technical direction, sense-check what the agency proposes and make sure what gets shipped is built properly.It suits a contractor who likes ownership. You'll get a platform you can genuinely shape, a business that listens and a mix of BAU, integration work and new feature builds.The Details Keep the live Magento 2 store stable, secure and performant day to dayTriage and fix production issues, bugs and checkout or order flow problemsApply security patches and manage extension updates and compatibilityReview the current version, PHP stack and hosting, and set out an upgrade path where neededMonitor performance across caching, indexing, Varnish, Redis and search Design and build integrations between Magento and third party systems such as ERP, PIM, OMS, payments, shipping and marketing platformsWork with REST and GraphQL APIs, webhooks, message queues and scheduled import or export jobsMake integrations resilient with clear logging, error handling and monitoring Technical lead for the digital agency Act as the client's technical point of contact for their digital agencyGive technical direction on architecture, approach and prioritiesReview agency estimates, specifications and pull requests and challenge where neededTranslate business requirements into clear technical briefsOwn release coordination and environments so nothing lands in production untested Essential 5+ years commercial Magento 2 (Open Source or Adobe Commerce) development, ideally as a contractorStrong PHP 8.x and deep knowledge of Magento architecture: modules, plugins, observers, dependency injection, EAV and service contractsProven integration delivery using Magento REST and GraphQL APIs with third party platformsExperience owning a live production store, including patching, upgrades and incident handlingMySQL, Composer, Git and CI/CD pipelinesConfidence working with and directing external agencies, including reviewing their code and estimatesClear communicator who can explain technical trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders Nice to have Magento 2 version upgrades, particularly moving to 2.4.8 or 2.4.9Adobe Commerce Cloud, AWS or Hyvä theme experiencePerformance tuning with Varnish, Redis, OpenSearch and New RelicAdobe Commerce certificationERP or PIM integration experience (for example Sage, NetSuite, Dynamics or Akeneo) On site: 2 days a week in South Manchester for agency sessions, stakeholder time and planning. The rest is remote. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Our client is looking for several Systems Engineers to take technical ownership of complex projects and programmes from scoping through to integration and assurance. This is a client-facing role. You'll set the technical direction, run the workshops that get stakeholders aligned, and make sure delivery stays on time, on budget and de-risked. Systems Engineer - National Security Location - Cheltenham Clearance - eDV required Contract - Excellent day rateDuration - 6 months plus extension What you'll be doingDefining and designing Scoping projects with stakeholders and confirming technical feasibilityDesigning the full lifecycle approach for complex projects and programmesRunning requirements elicitation, technical design, risk analysis and pre-mortem workshops Delivering and assuring Coordinating internal teams, third parties and vendors through delivery, integration and assuranceKeeping projects within scope and budget, managing risk and controlling changes to scope, schedule and cost using appropriate verification techniquesProducing and maintaining Systems Engineering artefacts: SEMPs, system models, plans, requirements, integration logic and test methodologies Advising and communicating Coaching and advising clients on Systems Engineering best practiceBuilding strong relationships with clients, stakeholders and vendorsReporting to and presenting for senior management  What you'll bringEssential Experience as a Systems Engineer in software, networking, digital or cyber securityBackground in a consultancy, large systems integrator or public sector organisation delivering complex products and servicesWorking knowledge of SE tools, standards and methods: V-model, spiral and agile lifecycles, technical risk management, options trade-offs (risk vs cost vs capability), requirements management, modelling, delivery assurance and IV&VTechnical depth to get into the detail when neededExcellent written, verbal and client-facing communicationStrong organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to juggle multiple workstreamsDegree or equivalent experience Desirable Systems Engineering delivery for defence, government, national security or law enforcement clientsSE accreditation (e.g. INCOSE) or a project management qualification  Interested?Apply here or message Rob Wall directly for a confidential conversation. Not quite the right fit? We're always keen to hear from cleared Systems Engineers, so get in touch. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

We are working with a leading consultancy who are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to join their team on a high-profile government programme. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of large, complex technical projects and play a key role in driving outcomes across Central Government and Defence. Senior Project Manager -  National Security & Defence Location: London (Hybrid Working)Clearance Required: eDV clearanceSalary - £75,000 -£90,000 + DV bonus + excellent benefits The RoleAs a Senior Project Manager, you'll be responsible for ensuring successful project delivery from end to end. You'll lead teams, manage stakeholders, and adapt delivery methods to fit the needs of fast-moving and high-impact technology projects.Key responsibilities include: Lead end-to-end project delivery, ensuring alignment with client objectives, timelines, and budgets.Work directly with clients to understand their requirements and turn them into delivery plans.Provide project planning and support on activities including bids and proposalsManage project governance, reporting, and risk management activities, ensuring robust decision-making and timely issue resolutionManaging customer and partner relationships, acting as a key point of engagement.Applying agile and scaled agile practices, alongside traditional project management methods.Providing strong leadership and direction to delivery teams.  Essential experience: Background in delivering technical projects within government agencies or similar organisations.Extensive experience in managing projects that range from conceptual research through to sub-system development, delivery, and support of programmes up to £5m.Strong understanding of agile principles.Previous experience of working within multi-disciplined projectsExcellent stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution skills.Commercial awareness across budgets, risk management, and forecasting.Ability to build, lead, and motivate high-performing delivery teams.You will ideally hold a recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP, or Agile PM.  Due to the nature of the client's work, you are required to hold a high level of security clearanceAs an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Join a Leading Consultancy Driving National Security InnovationFR Secure is partnering with a rapidly expanding consultancy that delivers cutting-edge cyber and information assurance solutions for high-security government and industry clients. We're looking for multiple Cyber Security & Information Assurance Consultants to support long-term, mission-critical programmes in the National Security sector.Cyber and Information Assurance Security ConsultantsSalary: £65,000 - £95,000 + DV bonusLocation: Cheltenham, Gloucester (Hybrid Working)Clearance Required: eDV clearanceYour RoleAs a Cyber Security & Information Assurance Consultant, you will: Deliver expert security advice for BAU, technical refresh, and new project initiatives.Implement and improve governance models aligned with client business needs.Identify cyber risks and propose risk-based mitigation strategies.Conduct compliance assessments across systems and processes to evaluate cyber and information assurance posture.Assess technical security controls across networks, systems, and infrastructure - including vulnerability management, security architecture reviews, and technical risk assessments - to inform wider assurance judgements.Develop, refine, or review security policies and procedures to align with corporate and regulatory standards.Build strong relationships with clients and internal teams to enhance the value of Cyber Security & Information Assurance services delivered. What You BringWe're looking for people who can make a real impact. You should have: Proven experience in Cyber Security & Information Assurance within Defence or UK Government environments.Strong understanding of risk management frameworksWorking technical knowledge across areas such as network security, secure system architecture, vulnerability assessment/penetration testing concepts, and cloud or infrastructure security controls.Familiarity with government and defence security standards such as: HMG/NCSC IA Policies and GuidelinesJSP440 and other MoD IA standardsCyber EssentialsNIST, NIS-D You will ideally hold CISM / CISSP or similar higher level recognised and current Information Security or Assurance certificationExcellent stakeholder communication skills - you can clearly explain complex security concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Security ClearanceDue to the highly sensitive nature of the work, all applicants must hold valid eDV clearance.Ready to advance your career in national security?As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.

Are you a Business Analyst who's operated inside UK government, defence, or intelligence environments? This is a rare opportunity to join a growing consultancy at the forefront of secure digital delivery, in a brand-new position with real influence from day one.Business Analyst - Secure Government & DefenceLocation - London (hybrid)Salary - £65,000 - £85,000 + benefitsClearance - You are required to hold an active eDV level security clearance.The opportunityYou won't be filling a seat. You'll be shaping how complex, mission-critical products get built, working directly with customers and delivery teams to translate classified operational needs into outcomes that matter.You'll be embedded in Agile delivery teams, working directly with customers, product owners, and technical specialists to translate complex mission needs into clear, actionable outcomes. This isn't a back-office BA role, you'll be hands-on, visible, and central to delivery. From requirements discovery and backlog management to stakeholder workshops and continuous improvement, you'll own the full analysis lifecycle in one of the most operationally significant delivery environments in the UK.Role duties Lead requirements discovery - eliciting, analysing, and validating business, user, data, and technical needs across complex delivery programmes.Write sharp user stories, acceptance criteria, and process maps that engineering, design, and data teams can actually work from.Own and continuously refine product backlogs, supporting prioritisation with product owners based on mission value and delivery constraints.Run stakeholder workshops and governance forums, turning competing views into shared understanding and clear decisions.Sit at the centre of Agile ceremonies, sprint planning, refinement, reviews, retros and drive continuous improvement in how teams work. Bridge the gap between business intent and technical delivery, managing dependencies, assumptions, and requirements changes throughout. Essential skills/experience Experience working in UK Security & Intelligence, defence, or classified government environments.Business analysis, product management, and Agile delivery across multidisciplinary teams.Hands-on Scrum or Kanban delivery, sprint ceremonies, backlog refinement, reviews and retrospectives.Ability to engage, challenge, and facilitate across technical and non-technical stakeholders.Comfortable working alongside software engineering, data, DevOps, and UX teams.Workflow analysis, business rules capture, and requirements traceability through change control. As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff. Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.