NCSC International Technical Director

Closing Date - 23:55 on Tuesday 4th August 2026

You'll receive a starting salary of £71,889 (including a concessionary payment of £3,144).

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber attacks and espionage.

At GCHQ you'll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is the UK Government's lead authority on cyber security and an integral part of our strategy to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

You'll be at the centre of meaningful technical work that drives real world impact on an international stage. Working both independently and collaboratively, you'll report to a senior colleague while offering expert advice on specific projects. You'll mentor others, engage with senior leaders and specialists, and provide strategic insight, especially when navigating complex challenges.

You'll be expected to undertake frequent international travel and may be posted overseas full time in 12 months' time for approximately two years. The successful candidate will support the development of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international partners.

The successful applicant will need to have:

• At least five years of practical experience in cyber security.
• Significant experience working both with a government department and in international settings.
• Ability to work confidently across a broad range of technical cyber security topics, such as:
  • Designing secure architectures for IT, Operational Technology, or AI systems.
  • Analyzing hardware and device level security features.
  • Researching software vulnerabilities and secure development practices.
  • Applying cryptographic protocols or securing networking and telecommunications technologies.
• Deep technical expertise in one or more areas of cyber security.
• Knowledge of how technological vulnerabilities occur, how they are discovered, and how they may be exploited.
• Experience applying specialist technical security capabilities to help solve customer security problems.

At Level 4, we'll assess how you demonstrate the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture - seeing the organisational context and implications of work.
• Communicating and Influencing - tailoring communication to influence stakeholders.
• Working Collaboratively - building effective relationships across teams.
• Providing Customer Value - delivering high quality service to internal and external customers.

• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years of service, plus an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays.
• Opportunities to be recognized through our employee performance scheme.
• Interest free season ticket loan.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on site coffee bars (at some locations).
• Potential skills payment starting at £6,552 per annum, and an additional £6,250 London Allowance for roles based in London.

GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from under represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and those from low socio economic backgrounds.

We are a Disability Confident Leader and aim to offer a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants the opportunity to interview, provided it is practical.

This role is based in London, Cheltenham or Manchester; candidates must live within a commutable distance and should not expect relocation costs.

The application closing date is 4th August 2026 at 23:55. Though the closing date could be extended, we encourage early application.