Our client is a specialist technology company trusted by government, defence and critical infrastructure customers to keep the nation's most sensitive systems safe. They're now looking for a Campaign Lead to take ownership of their Cyber & Secure Communications domain and drive its next phase of growth. Campaign Lead - Defence & National SecurityLocation: Hampshire or GloucesterSalary - £85,000 - £100,000 + DV bonusClearance: eDV or MOD DV This is a strategic leadership position at the intersection of technology, customer insight and commercial growth, where you'll set direction for a portfolio spanning secure end-user devices through to cyber test ranges, R&D, consultancy and rapid prototyping. What you'll be doing Set and maintain a multi-year growth strategy for the domain, prioritising the customers, segments and opportunities that matter most, and acting as the final word on domain-level trade-offs and decisions.Build a deep, evidence-based understanding of customer missions and emerging threats, and become the go-to voice, internally and externally, on where this market is heading.Pull together a virtual team across sales, marketing, product, engineering and delivery. Align priorities, resolve conflicts, and turn many moving parts into one coherent, executable plan.Connect capability to customer need Work with product and engineering to shape integrated solutions, influence the technology roadmap, and identify where investment should go next.Drive market engagement Partner with marketing on positioning, go-to-market strategy and demand generation, then work with account teams to convert that into pipeline and won business.  What we're looking for Deep domain knowledge of cyber security and secure communications, including the operational challenges facing defence, government and national security customersA track record of leading cross-functional or virtual teams and delivering results through influence rather than direct authorityComfort operating in ambiguity, with the judgement to make good calls on incomplete informationCommercial acumen suited to long, complex sales cycles, including opportunity shaping and market development experienceExcellent stakeholder management, negotiation and facilitation skills, with the ability to turn diverse input into a clear plan of action  Why applyThis is a rare opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a growing, high-impact capability area, with genuine influence over investment priorities, market positioning and go-to-market execution, in a business solving problems that matter for national security. Interested in finding out more? Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation. 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 National Security engineering team looking for an SRE who wants to work closer to the platform, improve how services behave in production and take real ownership of resilience rather than simply reacting to incidents. Site Reliability Engineer (eDV) – National Security Location: Key National Security hubsSalary: £65,000–£90,000+ depending on experienceClearance: Active eDV requiredLevel: Mid-level through to Senior If you’re spending more time firefighting than improving reliability, this one should resonate. This is a good fit for someone who enjoys the overlap between Cloud, Platform, DevOps and Software Engineering and wants to keep broadening their technical remit. What you’ll be working with AWS Kubernetes Terraform Linux CI/CD Python / Bash Monitoring and observability Automation Reliability and performance engineering You’ll be working across secure, live National Security environments, helping teams improve deployment, resilience, monitoring and operational performance. Why it’s worth a look The role should appeal if you want: Less reactive BAU More ownership of platform reliability Better exposure to modern cloud tooling Stronger engineering culture Closer collaboration with Software and Platform teams Progression into broader Platform, Cloud or technical leadership roles Active eDV clearance is required for this opportunity. If you’re not actively looking, that’s fine. I’m happy to give you an honest view of the role, the wider market and where your background is likely to fit best. 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 an engineering-led National Security team looking for a mid-level DevOps Engineer who wants to move beyond support-heavy work and take on more ownership across secure cloud environments. AWS DevOps Engineer (eDV) – National Security Location: Key National Security hubsSalary: £60,000–£90,000+ (depending on SFIA Grading)Clearance: Active eDV requiredLevel: Mid-level / SFIA 4-ish You’ve got the AWS and Terraform fundamentals. The question is whether your current role is still stretching you. I’m supporting an engineering-led National Security team looking for a mid-level DevOps Engineer who wants to move beyond support-heavy work and take on more ownership across secure cloud environments. This is a good fit for someone who’s already comfortable with modern DevOps tooling, but still wants room to broaden their capability, learn from strong engineers and progress towards more senior Platform or Cloud responsibilities. What you’ll be working with AWS Terraform Kubernetes Linux CI/CD Python / Bash Infrastructure as Code Automation and platform reliability You’ll be working across live National Security programmes, helping build, improve and automate secure cloud platforms rather than simply maintaining what’s already there. Why it’s worth a look The strongest feedback I hear from engineers making this kind of move is usually about: More technical ownership Better exposure to modern tooling Less BAU Stronger engineering culture Clearer progression More opportunity to learn from experienced Cloud and Platform Engineers Active eDV clearance is required for this role. If you’re not actively looking, that’s fine. I’m happy to give you an honest view of the role, the wider market and where your background is likely to fit best. 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.

If you’re eDV-cleared and work across Cloud, Platform, Data or AI, this is probably the easiest way to see what’s moving across the National Security market. Multiple eDV Cloud, Data & AI Roles – National Security Locations: Opportunities across all compass points, including London, Cheltenham/Gloucester, Bristol, Hampshire and ManchesterClearance: Active eDV required across the majority of rolesLevel: Mid-level through to Senior / Lead If you’re eDV-cleared and work across Cloud, Platform, Data or AI, this is probably the easiest way to see what’s moving across the National Security market. I’m currently supporting a mix of engineering-led SMEs, specialist consultancies and established technology businesses, with live demand across several technical areas. Current demand Cloud, DevOps & Platform Engineering – AWS/Azure, Terraform, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Linux, automation, DevSecOps and SRE Data Engineering – Python, SQL, ETL/ELT, modern cloud data platforms, Spark/Databricks and data architecture AI & Machine Learning – ML Engineering, MLOps, Python, model deployment, evaluation, LLM/GenAI and production AI Technical Leadership – Senior / Lead engineering roles across Cloud, Platform, Data and AI The organisations vary, but the strongest opportunities tend to have a few things in common: Smaller, engineering-led teams Greater ownership and technical influence Stronger progression Better access to technical leadership Varied hybrid working where programmes allow Modern environments where you can keep broadening your skill set Most of the work supports live National Security programmes, so active eDV clearance is typically required. If you’re not actively looking, that’s completely fine. I’m happy to give you an honest view of what’s currently available, how the different engineering cultures compare, and where your background is likely to fit best. 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.

Do You want to shape the technical direction, influence the customer and have a say in what actually gets built? Lead Data Engineer (National Security) Salary: £80,000–£120,000Clearance: Active eDV requiredLocation: Key National Security hubs | Hybrid / secure-site working depending on programme There comes a point where another pipeline isn’t enough. Do You want to shape the technical direction, influence the customer and have a say in what actually gets built? I’m supporting a specialist Data & Geospatial SME that has recently secured strategically important National Security work ahead of significantly larger competitors — largely on the strength of its technical capability and credibility in the space. This is a senior role, operating around SFIA 5–6, with genuine ownership. You won’t be disappearing into a large delivery team. You’ll be expected to shape solutions, guide technical direction and work directly with senior customer stakeholders, including C-level contacts. What you’ll be working across Python AWS and cloud-native data services Modern data platforms ETL / ELT and scalable pipelines Data modelling and architecture Distributed data processing CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code Technical design and solution ownership The role is still hands-on, but the value is in the influence you’ll have around it. You’ll be close enough to the customer to understand the real problem, senior enough to challenge the approach, and technical enough to help shape the solution properly. Why it’s worth a look This should appeal if you want: Greater technical ownership Direct access to senior customer stakeholders More influence over architecture and delivery A specialist engineering environment rather than a huge prime Strong learning and development The chance to work on strategically important National Security programmes The business is in a genuine growth phase, and this role sits close to that expansion rather than being another hire into an established delivery machine. Clearance Active eDV clearance is required for this opportunity due to the nature of the live programme. If you’re already operating at Senior / Lead / Principal level and want a role where your technical judgement actually carries weight, this is well worth a conversation. 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.

If you’re spending more time maintaining platforms than improving them, this could be worth a look. Senior Platform Engineer (National Security) Location: Cheltenham / Gloucester areaHybrid: Flexible depending on programmeSalary: £75,000–£95,000+Clearance: Active DV / eDV required I’m supporting a small, engineering-led National Security SME that’s built a strong reputation for doing things differently from the larger consultancies and primes. The team is technically strong, low-ego and trusted to get on with the job. You’ll have real ownership, direct input into technical decisions and the freedom to improve how things are built rather than simply inherit someone else’s process. What you’ll be working with AWS Kubernetes Terraform Docker Linux CI/CD Python / Bash Infrastructure as Code Monitoring, automation and platform reliability The role sits firmly in Platform Engineering rather than traditional infrastructure support. You’ll be building and evolving secure cloud platforms, improving deployment and automation, and working closely with Software and Cloud Engineers across live National Security programmes. Why it’s worth a look The strongest feedback I hear from engineers in environments like this is usually about the same things: More ownership Less red tape Better technical conversations Stronger team culture Modern tooling Progression without needing to move into management It’s the kind of place where good engineers are trusted rather than micromanaged. Clearance Active DV or eDV clearance is required due to the nature of the live programmes. If you’ve been wondering what life looks like outside the larger consultancies or primes, I’m happy to talk you through the role and give you an honest view of the wider market too. 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.

Wargaming is a niche area, but that’s exactly what makes this one interesting. Operational Analyst – Wargaming & Defence Location: South HampshireWorking pattern: 3–4 days per week on-siteSalary: £30,000–£60,000 depending on experienceClearance: Active SC required, with the ability to obtain DV / NATO clearance I’m supporting a small specialist Defence SME that uses operational analysis, modelling and simulation to help customers make better decisions around complex, high-consequence problems. The role sits somewhere between data analysis, operational research and professional wargaming. You could be building analytical models, interrogating datasets, stress-testing concepts through simulation, or turning technical findings into clear evidence for senior Defence stakeholders. What you’ll be doing Analysing complex datasets to support operational and strategic decision-making Building and maintaining analytical models and simulations Using tools such as Python or R, alongside advanced Excel/VBA Supporting or running analytical wargames Translating complex outputs into clear, defensible recommendations Working closely with Defence customers and multidisciplinary teams Experience with tools such as Command Professional Edition, Flashpoint Campaigns or Combat Mission would be a real advantage, but it isn’t essential for every level. Who could fit? There are a couple of routes into this role. You might come from a STEM, Operational Research or analytical background, with strong problem-solving skills and an interest in Defence. Or you might already understand the operational domain through Defence or military experience and want to deepen your analytical and technical capability. At the more senior end, I’d expect stronger Operational Analysis experience, confidence owning work packages and the ability to engage directly with senior stakeholders. What matters throughout is attitude: curiosity, initiative, pragmatism and a willingness to get stuck into problems that don’t always have an obvious answer. Location & Clearance This is important. You’ll need to be based within realistic reach of South Hampshire and comfortable working on-site 3–4 days per week. You must also already hold active UK SC clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain DV and NATO clearance. If you like the idea of combining data, modelling and real-world Defence problems in a genuinely specialist environment, this is well worth a conversation. 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 specialist AI/ML teams working across that entire journey Machine Learning Engineer (National Security) Location: Opportunities across key UK National Security hubsLevel: Mid-level through to Senior / LeadClearance: Active SC minimum | DV/eDV particularly desirableWorking pattern: Hybrid / secure-site working depending on programme There's a big difference between experimenting with Machine Learning and seeing it survive contact with the real world. I'm supporting specialist AI/ML teams working across that entire journey — research, rapid prototyping, productionisation and deployment into genuinely challenging National Security environments. This isn't about joining a generic consultancy team that happens to have an AI project. I'm working with some excellent specialist engineering and research teams where AI/ML is core to what they do — surrounded by people who read the papers, experiment with emerging technology and genuinely care about keeping their technical edge. What you'll be working across Depending on the team and programme, that could include: Python and modern ML frameworks including PyTorch, TensorFlow or scikit-learn LLMs, RAG, agents, fine-tuning and evaluation ML research, algorithm development and rapid prototyping MLOps and production ML pipelines Model deployment, monitoring and lifecycle tooling such as MLflow, DVC or Weights & Biases AWS, Docker, Linux and CI/CD Translating emerging research into solutions that work against real customer problems These environments also place real value on engineers who can engage with stakeholders and work across multidisciplinary teams rather than disappearing into a purely research-focused silo. Who tends to thrive? You don't need to have used every framework above. I'm much more interested in smart, curious engineers who enjoy learning, can move between research and engineering, and actively keep up with a field that's changing incredibly quickly. If you've reached the point where you'd like to see more of your work make it beyond the notebook or PoC stage — and ultimately understand the impact it has in the real world — this could be a very interesting next step. Clearance You'll need active SC clearance as a minimum for the opportunities I'm currently supporting, with active DV/eDV particularly desirable for work on higher-side programmes. If you're already working in ML/AI within the secure community and curious about what some of the specialist labs and engineering teams are doing differently, feel free to get in touch. Even if you're not actively looking, I'm happy to share an honest view of the market and where your background might fit. 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.

Cloud, Data & AI Engineers (DV/eDV) – National Security Locations: Opportunities across all compass points, including London, Cheltenham/Gloucester, Bristol, Hampshire and ManchesterClearance: Active DV / eDV predominantly requiredLevel: Mid-level through to Senior / Lead If you're working across Cloud, Platform, Data or AI in National Security, there's a good chance you're not actively looking for another job. But you might be wondering whether there's somewhere you'd be learning more, working with better people, getting broader exposure or simply being trusted with a little more flexibility. Those are increasingly the conversations I'm having. I'm currently supporting a mix of engineering-led SMEs, specialist consultancies and growing technology businesses across the National Security ecosystem — many of which are actively expanding their Cloud, Data and AI capability. The interesting part is how increasingly cross-functional these teams are becoming. A Platform Engineer might enable Data and ML workloads. A Data Engineer might work across cloud infrastructure and AI-enabled platforms. An ML Engineer might get much closer to deployment, evaluation and seeing their work make it into real-world environments. If you want to keep your tools sharp rather than disappear into a narrow programme or technical silo, there are some genuinely interesting teams worth knowing about. Where I'm Seeing Demand Cloud & Platform – AWS/Azure, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD, Linux, automation, DevOps and DevSecOps Data Engineering – Python, SQL, ETL/ELT, Spark/Databricks, distributed systems and modern cloud data platforms AI & Machine Learning – ML Engineering, MLOps, model deployment/evaluation, Python and increasingly GenAI/LLM capability You don't need to sit neatly inside one of those boxes. In fact, some of the strongest opportunities are for engineers who enjoy working across them. Why Consider a Move? The organisations I work with vary significantly, but I've deliberately built relationships with teams offering things engineers consistently tell me they value: Strong, engineering-led cultures Broader technical exposure and progression Greater ownership and access to technical leadership Interesting, real-world National Security problems Varied hybrid models and greater flexibility where programmes allow Smaller teams where good engineers are genuinely valued I've already helped engineers join a number of these organisations, so I can also give you an honest view based on the feedback and testimonials I've had from people actually working there — not just what's written on a careers page. Clearance The majority of these opportunities support live National Security programmes, so active DV/eDV clearance is typically required. Occasionally, opportunities arise for exceptional SC-cleared engineers with a realistic route to higher clearance, but these are the exception rather than the rule. Not actively looking? That's completely fine. If you're curious about which organisations are genuinely investing, how their cultures and working patterns compare, or where you could broaden your experience across Cloud, Data and AI, I'm always happy to share what I'm seeing. If nothing else, you'll come away with a clearer picture of the market — even if your next move is still a year away. 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.

If you already hold active eDV clearance and are considering what else is happening across the National Security technology market, I'm currently supporting multiple opportunities across a range of engineering-led organisations. Demand continues across all compass points, spanning specialist SMEs, growing technology consultancies and established National Security engineering teams. Locations Current opportunities include: London Cheltenham Gloucester Bristol Corsham Hampshire Manchester Working patterns vary by programme, with a mix of hybrid and secure-site environments available. Current Live Roles Current demand spans a broad range of technical disciplines, including: Cloud, DevOps & Platform Engineering – Cloud Engineers, DevOps, DevSecOps, Platform Engineers and SREs across modern AWS/Azure environments Infrastructure Engineering – secure infrastructure, Linux, Windows, networking, virtualisation and automation Data Engineering – Data Engineers and Architects working across modern data platforms, pipelines, ETL/ELT, cloud, analytics and complex operational datasets AI & Machine Learning – ML Engineers, MLOps Engineers and AI/ML Researchers Architecture – Cloud, Solution, Technical and Data Architecture Systems Engineering – Systems Engineers working across complex National Security environments Cyber & Security – Cyber Security Consultants, Security Engineers, Security Researchers and other specialist security disciplines Test & Assurance – Test Engineers and technical testing roles across secure programmes Technical Leadership – Tech Leads, Lead Engineers and senior technical specialists across Software, Cloud, Platform and Data Security Clearance Active eDV clearance essential across these roles Candidates should be comfortable working in secure environments where required If you're eDV-cleared and considering your next move, feel free to submit your CV for a confidential conversation. Rather than push you towards a single vacancy, I'm happy to give you an honest view of what's currently available across the market and which organisations might genuinely suit what you're looking for. 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 benefitsThe 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.

Are you a cyber security professional looking to take ownership of security engineering work packages for a growing consultancy operating in the defence and national security space? Cyber Security EngineerSalary - £35,000 - £55,000 + excellent benefitsLocation - Cheltenham Clearance - Due to the secure nature of this position, candidates must hold or be eligible to obtain eDV Security Clearance.This is an opportunity to work across risk assessment, security architecture, and incident response, playing a central role in protecting critical digital assets and sensitive information. The RoleAs a Cyber Security Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in safeguarding the organisation's digital assets and ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of sensitive information. You'll implement and manage robust security measures, conduct risk assessments, and respond to security incidents, with genuine scope to shape and grow the wider cyber security capability. Key Responsibilities Deliver Cyber Security work packages for clients and internal delivery programmesDevelop Security Management PlansUnderstand and define capability context; perform Risk AssessmentsDefine and architect Security ControlsPlan Vulnerability Management activityDevelop Key/Certificate Management PlansProduce Security Case ReportsWrite clear, concise security policies and proceduresContribute to the ongoing development of the wider cybersecurity capability  What You'll Need Proven experience in cyber security roles, with a focus on security engineeringStrong understanding of networking, systems, and application securityKnowledge of security frameworks and standards (ISO 27001, NIST, etc.)Proficiency with security tools and technologiesExcellent problem-solving and analytical skillsStrong communication and collaboration skills 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.

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.

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.

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 clearanceSalary - £75,000 -£90,000 + excellent benefitsThe 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 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 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 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.

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.

We're seeking an experienced Senior Product Manager to help a secure government department design and deliver user-centred, high-impact digital products.This is a unique opportunity to shape services of national importance, where your insight and leadership will directly influence how critical systems evolve to better meet user needs. Senior Product Manager - Secure Government Projects (DV Cleared)Salary: £75,000 - £90,000 + packageLocation: London, Cheltenham or Manchester - Hybrid   Clearance: DV / eDV Clearance requiredThe OpportunityThe organisation is looking for someone who isn't afraid to challenge assumptions, bring fresh thinking, and inspire teams to deliver meaningful change.You'll have the autonomy to define your approach, backed by talented multidisciplinary teams skilled in agile delivery, research, design, and engineering.What You'll DoAs Senior Product Manager, you will: Lead one or more multidisciplinary Agile teams to identify problems, co-design solutions, and deliver products that balance user needs, organisational goals, and long-term sustainability.Develop and maintain product roadmaps, setting clear vision, strategy, and priorities.Oversee delivery across the full product lifecycle - from Discovery through Alpha, Beta, and Live.Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and product owners, influencing strategy and outcomes.Make evidence-based decisions using user research and performance data.Mentor and coach others to raise product management capability across the organisation. About YouYou'll be an accomplished Product Manager with a strong track record of delivering user-focused services in complex environments.Essential skills and experience: Proven expertise in Agile product management and delivery within cross-functional teams.Experience defining and managing product roadmaps and minimum viable products (MVPs).Ability to lead teams through the full product lifecycle - Discovery, Alpha, Beta, and Live.Strong user research and analysis skills; able to translate insight into actionable improvements.Excellent stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence and negotiate at senior levels.Exceptional communication skills - both written and verbal - with the ability to simplify complexity.Must hold DV Clearance (Developed Vetting) due to the nature of the work.  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.

Agile Project Manager - Delivery Lead - Central Government & Defence ProjectsLocation - Cheltenham - HybridSalary - £75,000 -£100,000 + excellent benefits Clearance - eDV clearance requiredWe 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 RoleAs 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 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 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 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 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.

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 EngineerPackage - £45,000 - £65,000 (depending in experience level)Benefits - DV Bonus plus excellent benefitsClearance - 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 engineeringExperience working with Linux or Windows-based systems.Awareness of secure coding practices and modern cybersecurity threats.Knowledge of principles used in Agile environments.   Desirable exposureAny exposure of AI, ML, Cloud or Virtualisation would be considered a plus. Clearance requiredDue 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 startThis 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.

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 clearedSalary - £70,000 - £85,000 + DV bonusLocation - CheltenhamClearance - eDVKey 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 proposalsManage 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 sectorsExtensive experience in managing projects that range from conceptual research through to sub-system development, delivery, and support of programmes up to £5mProven 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 lifecyclePrevious experience of working within multi-disciplined projects Excellent Stakeholder management skillsAbility to create and lead positive working relationships with colleaguesYou 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.