Cyber Defence Engineer

In this role you will play a pivotal role in shaping and driving the evolution of Optus' Detection and Response (DART) capability. This includes areas such as threat hunting, purple teaming, detection engineering, cyber incident management, threat intelligence, and the ongoing development of supporting people, processes, and technologies.

What's Involved

• Lead the evolution of Optus' Detection and Response (DART) capability to address the ever-changing threat landscape.
• Shape the Optus Cyber Threat detection capability and integrate it with broader Cyber Defence functions.
• Drive the continued development of the Defensive Cyber Security capability, supporting business cases for further investment.
• Manage Cyber Security incident response activities, including developing strategies for containment and rapid resolution.
• Foster a culture of excellence, integrity, and professionalism, ensuring Optus maintains the highest standards in cyber security.
• Collaborate closely with teams and stakeholders, providing independent assurance, technical stewardship, and guidance to ensure strategic initiatives are executed successfully, with a strong focus on operational excellence and meeting customer needs.

Requirements

• Tertiary Qualifications in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Cyber Security, or related fields, with a focus on Threat Hunting, Incident Management, Detection Engineering, and CI/CD.
• Expert knowledge of the cyber threat landscape, including malware families, indicators, TTPs (tools, tactics, techniques, procedures), and applying them to threat assessments.
• Strong technical expertise in threat intelligence, detection engineering, incident management, and forensics.
• Experience with Python, automation, and engineering deployment pipelines.
• Advanced problem-solving and conflict management skills.
• Proven ability to lead and influence stakeholders, driving effective outcomes.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to deliver engineering-focused solutions and technical coaching.
• Self-starter mentality, adaptable in a dynamic, ever-changing environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills to work effectively with teams across all levels and functions.

What We Offer

• Be part of a visionary, customer-centric organisation driving meaningful change in cyber security.
• Opportunity to continuously develop and refine your skills in a collaborative, innovative environment.
• Work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with opportunities for independent and strategic decision-making.
• 3 days in the office, 2 days remote – with flexible hours to suit
• Inclusive carer neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks
• All Optus employees have access to resources, webinars and support via the 'Parents at Work portal'
• Own your own growth by accessing an extensive online and facilitator led learning catalogue.
• Connect at work through our employee-led volunteer groups: Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network, Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+), United Veterans, Yarn Network, Wellbeing Network and Young Professionals.
• Vibrant campus life, variety of facilities including restaurants, cafes, gymnasium, GP, and post office
• Free Optus bus from Macquarie University Metro Station (every 6-8 minutes); morning and afternoon

Keen to see what it's really like to work at Optus? Search #OptusLife on LinkedIn to go behind the scenes

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying 'yes' to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email or call We're here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit