Senior Cyber Data, Protocol and Network Analysis Engineer

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 1st November 2026
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location, Government Departments including wider MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner premises for at least 80% of your working time.

Job summary

Join a highly skilled cyber and engineering team at Dstl, where you will apply your technical expertise to understand, analyse and exploit complex communications, networks and digital systems. Working at the forefront of cyber and data analysis, you will investigate how devices, protocols and network technologies operate, helping to generate insights that support critical national security and defence outcomes.

Why join us?

This role is ideal for an experienced engineer with a naturally inquisitive mindset who enjoys solving difficult technical problems and uncovering how systems work beneath the surface. You will analyse a broad range of communication technologies, from traditional networks and wireless protocols through to embedded systems and specialised data interfaces.

As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to the development of innovative analytical techniques, mentor less experienced colleagues and influence technical direction through high-quality analysis and clear communication. You will work alongside experts from a range of disciplines, collaborating to address complex challenges and deliver impactful outcomes for government and defence stakeholders.

The role offers the opportunity to apply software, networking, data analysis and systems engineering skills within a unique environment where curiosity, innovation and technical excellence are highly valued.

Job description

What you'll do;

• Analyse communications, networks, devices and digital systems to generate technical intelligence and actionable insights.
• Investigate communication protocols and understand how they operate across different network architectures and platforms.
• Examine data from a variety of sources, including network captures, wireless communications, embedded device interfaces and system data stores.
• Develop and apply analytical tools, scripts and bespoke techniques to solve complex technical challenges.
• Identify system behaviours, vulnerabilities and opportunities to improve understanding of technologies and their operation.
• Produce clear, authoritative technical reports and communicate complex findings to a range of stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions to challenging problems.
• Lead technical activities, support project delivery and contribute to shaping future analytical capabilities.
• Coach and mentor colleagues, sharing knowledge and promoting best practice across the team.
• Contribute to a positive culture of continuous improvement, innovation, safety and security.

Person specification

What we're looking for;

• A degree in a STEM discipline such as Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics or Embedded Systems, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience using at least one programming language such as Python, C or C++.
• A strong understanding of computer networking and an interest in analysing communication protocols.
• Experience working with Linux operating systems and command-line environments.
• Practical experience using data, packet or binary analysis tools such as Wireshark, Ghidra or 010 Editor.
• A basic understanding of electronics and hardware technologies.
• Experience solving complex technical problems by gathering, analysing and interpreting information from multiple sources.
• A demonstrable curiosity for understanding how technologies work, including communications, data storage and interactions between system components.
• Experience working within or leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting the development of others

Please review the job description for more detailed information by clicking apply.

Important Information:

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats.

For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality