Our client is a high-profile Australian Government national security agency responsible for protecting Australia against global threats and supporting the nation’s strategic interests. Operating across intelligence, cyber security and highly specialised technical environments, the agency delivers mission-critical capabilities that contribute directly to Australia’s security.
This is an opportunity to join a highly skilled workforce delivering complex and meaningful ICT outcomes within one of Australia’s most secure operating environments.
About the Role
The Lead ICT Security Engineer will deliver security engineering outcomes across complex ICT systems and projects supporting mission-critical capabilities. Working under broad direction, you will provide specialist security expertise to ensure systems are securely designed, implemented and maintained in accordance with government security requirements.
A key focus of the role will be achieving and maintaining Authority to Operate accreditations. You will lead security assurance activities, conduct security risk and threat assessments, develop accreditation artefacts and provide trusted technical advice to project teams and senior stakeholders.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading security engineering activities across complex ICT systems and projects
- Managing security assurance activities required to achieve and maintain Authority to Operate accreditation
- Developing and maintaining System Security Plans, Concepts of Operations and supporting security documentation
- Preparing security briefs and executive documentation to support senior-level decisions and approvals
- Reviewing systems against relevant security controls, policies and assurance requirements
- Identifying vulnerabilities, developing mitigation strategies and documenting residual security risks
- Negotiating with ICT engineers, cyber security specialists, project teams and accreditation authorities
- Translating complex technical security requirements into practical, sustainable solutions
- Supporting the secure delivery and ongoing management of existing and emerging ICT capabilities
The successful candidate will be an experienced security engineering professional with a strong background delivering security outcomes across complex government, Defence, intelligence or enterprise ICT environments.
You will bring a practical understanding of security accreditation processes, risk management and the implementation and assessment of security controls. You will also be a confident communicator who can influence stakeholders, explain complex technical concepts clearly and prepare high-quality documentation for both technical audiences and senior executives.
To be successful, you will demonstrate:
- Experience leading security engineering activities for complex ICT systems
- Strong knowledge of Authority to Operate accreditation and security assurance processes
- Experience conducting security risk assessments, threat assessments and vulnerability analysis
- The ability to develop System Security Plans, Concepts of Operations, risk assessments, security briefs and executive approval documentation
- Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills
- The ability to communicate complex security concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience working within highly secure government, Defence or intelligence environments
Formal qualifications such as IRAP Assessor Training, CISSP, CISM, SABSA, ISSEP or equivalent would be highly regarded. Experience in security architecture, cloud security, DevSecOps or infrastructure accreditation would also be advantageous.
Candidates must also be willing to undergo an Organisational Suitability Assessment (OSA) prior to engagement.
Why partner with Whizdom?
We’re Whizdom. We view you as an extension of our strong, dependable brand and have differentiators which really are different! The Whizdom way:
- We pay our contractors same day you submit your timesheet!
- We are Level 3, DISP certified and have signed the Veteran Employment Commitment and been awarded the highest level of compliance to this important initiative, proactively assisting veterans transitioning from the forces to civilian roles. We’ve been lucky enough to win industry awards for our high level of process compliance and are ISO 9001 certified. Our commitment to reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions has been accredited in line with large global organisations.
- We value diversity and welcome applications from Indigenous Australians, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people living with a disability.
Location: The role is based in Canberra ACT.
Contract terms: 12 months from commencement date, plus 2x 12 month extensions
Experience Level: Senior – EL1 Equivalent
Security Requirements: Candidates must hold an active or reactivatable Top Secret Positive Vetting (TSPV) Security Clearance on submission. Our client is not prepared to upgrade an existing clearance for this position. An OSA(Organisational Suitability Assessment) will be required for this position.
How to Apply: Please upload your resume to apply. Please note you will need to complete selection criteria to complete this application process. We will be in touch with instructions for suitably skilled candidates.
Candidates will need to be willing to undergo pre-employment screening checks which may include, ID and work rights, security clearance verification and any other client requested checks.
Applications open until 8am 26 October 2026.
Reach Damien on 0480 002 503 or damienm@whizdom.com.au for any further information.
