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.
Based in Samlesbury, you’ll work with the National Cyber Force (NCF), a partnership between Defence and Intelligence. The NCF operates in and through Cyberspace to counter those who would harm the UK and our allies, helping to keep the country safe and protect the UK’s interests at home and abroad.
Working with our intelligence partners, MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyberattacks and espionage. At GCHQ, you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
In Computer Network Exploitation (CNE), we operate under strict legal safeguards to infiltrate the computers of those who wish to harm the UK, its people and interests. A role in CNE means you’ll work with unique technologies on projects you won’t find anywhere else. With your passion for technology and drive to learn and develop, you’ll deepen your expertise, grow your skills and deliver solutions that help keep the UK safe.
During your interview, we’ll explore how your knowledge, skills and experience align with opportunities across the CNE team. We’ll discuss the areas that best match your skills, experience and aspirations, taking into account business requirements and the relevant role criteria.
Our CNE teams bring together a range of specialist skills and disciplines. Depending on your experience and strengths, you may be considered for one of the following roles:
As an Exploit Developer, you’ll identify weaknesses in target network environments and software and produce the solutions needed to exploit them. As an Implant Developer, you’ll use your deep platform knowledge and research skills to create covert software that enables enduring access and intelligence collection. For these roles, you’ll need to be proficient in multiple programming languages. You’ll also have technical aptitude and a genuine interest in computer networking, reverse engineering, and cybersecurity.
You’ll provide the technical foundations that underpin all CNE activity, from capability development through to the deployment of operations. Working across networking, cloud technologies, cyber security and automation, you’ll design, document and deliver new infrastructure while supporting existing projects. You’ll also work closely with customers to capture requirements, resolve technical challenges and deliver efficient, scalable solutions. So, you’ll need technical aptitude, curiosity and an interest in infrastructure, networking and cloud technologies.
Working closely with Exploit Developers, Intelligence Analysts and other specialist teams, you’ll use a range of technical tools and tradecraft to support operations and uncover valuable intelligence. The role combines technical problem-solving with an understanding of target environments, offering unique insight into the work involved in protecting national security. You’ll bring your technical aptitude, curiosity and an interest in technology and operational problem-solving to this role.
To be eligible, you’ll need to hold, or be on track to achieve, at least a 2:2 degree in a STEM subject by Summer 2027. If you’re passionate about technology, problem-solving and innovation, and meet the eligibility requirements, we’d love to hear from you.
You’ll receive benefits, including 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years' service, an excellent pension scheme, an interest-free season ticket loan, paid parental and adoption leave and much more.
We’re committed to building a culture that is welcoming and inclusive of people with different identities, lived experiences and perspectives, where everyone has the confidence to bring their whole self to work. You’ll find a range of sports, interest and social clubs, as well as a number of affinity groups, including ethnic minority and gender equality networks, wellbeing and mental health groups, neurodiversity and disability groups, LGBTQ+ support groups, and faith/no-faith communities.
At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: people with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking as well as those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including people from groups that are underrepresented in our workforce such as women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality and one of those nationalities is British, you will still be considered. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply from the age of 17; however, if successful, you’ll not be offered a start date before your 18th birthday.
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