Computer Network Exploitation Roles

Flexible Working: We support full time, part time, compressed and flexible hours.  We’re committed to offering remote working across our organisation, however, our ability to do this is dependent on role requirements. This role will be around 80% (plus) office-based working, with working from home being the exception rather than the rule, due to the nature of the work. All working from home is subject to business need.

About Us

At GCHQ, we unlock the complex world of data and communications to keep the UK and its citizens safe, both in the real world and online. Working closely with our British Intelligence partners in MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from threats including serious organised crime, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. A role in GCHQ offers varied and fascinating work in a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

For those who are passionate about problem-solving, are good at coming up with new ideas and can deliver creative solutions to often complex challenges, a Computer Network Exploitation role (CNE) offers you work that is unique, varied and far from mundane and we’ll give you the scope to do things that aren’t possible elsewhere. We’re offering a series of entry level roles, which is an excellent way to learn and develop as part of the wider Computer Network Exploitation team at GCHQ. We’re currently based in Gloucestershire. In the future, we’ll also have opportunities at the new National Cyber Force base in Samlesbury, Lancashire.

During your interview, we’ll find out more about you and discuss which opportunity is best suited to your skills and interests. After successful interview, subject to business needs and you meeting the necessary criteria, you may receive a conditional offer for any advertised role within CNE. Please only apply for 1 role under the Computer Network Exploitation camaign, as your application will be considered across all advertised positions within CNE for which you are eligible.

In CNE, we have the scope to do things that wouldn’t be possible elsewhere. You’ll be on the front line of our efforts to pursue our targets and complete our mission, using bespoke technology, we legally infiltrate the computers of terrorists and criminals, so we can discover and disrupt their plans. Right now, we’re looking for Exploit/Implant Developers, Operators and Infrastructure Engineers to join us.

For more information about the roles, click on the individual job titles.

Explore these opportunities and find out what you could be doing if you join us here:

Exploit/Implant Developers - Please click here to apply

Working at a deep technical level, these roles are about making things and breaking things – as an Exploit Developer, you’ll find weaknesses in our targets network environment and software, then produce the tooling and bespoke solutions we need to exploit them. As an Implant Developer, using deep platform knowledge and research, you’ll learn how to create covert software that allows enduring access and collection capabilities. You’ll find weaknesses in our targets, then produce the tooling and solutions to exploit them.

Operators - Please click here to apply

On the front line of our efforts, to pursue our targets and complete our mission, this role involves working collaboratively with our Exploit Developers and Intelligence Analysts across a wide section of the business to understand our mission. You’ll utilise a range of technical tools and tradecraft to support the mission.

Infrastructure Engineer - Please click here to apply

Infrastructure underpins all CNE’s activities, from where developers write their code, to how our operations are deployed. You’ll be part of a team designing, documenting, and delivering new infrastructure, you’ll regularly interact with our customers, capture requirements, resolve problems with existing infrastructure and enable more efficient deployments.

For more information about the roles and to apply click on the individual job titles.

Training and Development

At GCHQ, we’ll invest in your skills and adapt to the way you like to learn. We’ll support and encourage you every step of the way, helping you to become an integral part of our world-class team.

If you have an affinity for technology, a keen desire to learn and the ability to adapt to the ever-evolving challenges and adversaries we face, we'll give you all the training and development you could wish for.

The skills you develop with us could cover numerous technical areas, from complex operational infrastructure to the development of sophisticated software, along with personal development to support you in your career. 

We'll cover the cost and provide support with regard to formal technical courses. A bursary scheme is also available to help you gain a Masters or top up your degree.

From day one, you'll have access to mentors and subject matter experts. We'll help you create a structured development and career plan that's right for you.

Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £32,092, plus recruitment bonus of £3,000 and specialist skills payment of £4,000, (this will be split into two payments- £3,500 on arrival, £3,500 when you complete your probation) and other benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
• Flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Facilities such as a restaurant and on-site coffee bar
• Paid parental and adoption leave
• Specialist Skills advancement payments available, on assessment

Equal Opportunities

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; those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone. Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.

We’re Disability Confident

GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role.

Right to Withdraw Statement:

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the roles, click on the individual job titles.