Computer Network Exploitation Roles

Job summary

Join our Computer Network Exploitation (CNE) team and use your technical skills, creativity and curiosity to help protect the UK. Working on unique and varied challenges, you’ll contribute to meaningful work that has a real operational impact. As part of a community of technical specialists, you’ll use technology and innovation to tackle complex problems, while receiving the support, training and development needed to grow your skills and fulfil your potential.

In CNE, we have the ability to do things that wouldn’t be possible elsewhere. Using bespoke technology and operating under strict legal safeguards and oversight, we lawfully infiltrate the devices and networks of terrorists and criminals to gather intelligence and disrupt threats. It’s fascinating, challenging work that offers opportunities across a range of specialist areas.

Job description

Exploit and Implant Developers

Working at a deep technical level, this role is about making and breaking things. As an Exploit Developer, you’ll identify weaknesses in target network environments and software, producing the tooling and bespoke solutions needed to exploit those weaknesses. 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.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need excellent technical aptitude, proficiency in multiple programming languages, and a genuine interest in computer networking, reverse engineering, and cybersecurity.

Infrastructure Engineers provide the technical foundations that underpin all CNE activity, from capability development through to deployment of operations. Working across a range of disciplines, including networking, cloud technologies, cyber security and automation, you’ll design, document and deliver new infrastructure while supporting existing projects. You’ll work closely with customers to capture requirements, resolve technical challenges and help deliver efficient, scalable solutions. To succeed in this role, you’ll need technical aptitude, curiosity and an interest in infrastructure, networking and cloud technologies.

As an Operator, you’ll work at the forefront of operational activity, helping to pursue targets and deliver mission outcomes. 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 a unique insight into the work involved in protecting national security. To succeed in this role, you’ll need technical aptitude, curiosity and an interest in technology and operational problem-solving.

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. Based on your technical proficiency and potential, we’ll determine the opportunity that is the best fit for you within CNE.

Person specification

We’re looking for individuals who are passionate about technology and enjoy solving complex problems. You’ll be naturally curious, able to think creatively and motivated by finding innovative solutions to challenging situations. You should be comfortable learning new skills and technologies, approaching problems from different perspectives and working collaboratively with others to achieve shared objectives.

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.

Benefits

Training and development

At GCHQ, we’ll invest in your development and adapt to the way you like to learn best. If you have an affinity for technology, a desire to learn, and the ability to adapt to the evolving challenges we face, we'll provide the training, opportunities, and support you need to succeed.

From bespoke internal courses and mentoring programmes to professional qualifications and funded master’s study, you’ll have access to a wide range of development opportunities.

We'll cover the cost of formal technical training and, where appropriate, offer access to a bursary scheme to help you gain a master’s degree or build on your existing qualifications.

You’ll gain experience across a broad range of technical areas, from complex operational infrastructure to sophisticated software development, giving you the opportunity to develop your expertise while supporting your long-term career ambitions.

From day one, you'll have access to mentors and subject matter experts who can provide advice and guidance throughout your journey. Together, we’ll create a structured development and career plan tailored to your goals, helping you build a rewarding and fulfilling career at GCHQ.

Rewards and benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £35,134, plus a £2,758 concessionary payment, bringing your total starting package to £37,892. In addition, you’ll receive a £7,000 specialist skills bonus, paid in two instalments: £3,500 on joining and £3,500 upon successful completion of your probation. Additional benefits include:

• 25 days of annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years’ service, plus an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.
• An excellent pension scheme.
• An interest-free season ticket loan.
• A cycle-to-work scheme.
• Facilities such as a restaurant and on-site coffee bar.
• Paid parental and adoption leave.
• Specialist skills advancement payments available upon assessment.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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: people 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.

We’re Disability Confident

GCHQ is proud to have achieved Leader status within the Department for Work and Pensions’ Disability Confident scheme. The scheme encourages employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who best meet the essential minimum criteria for this position, are offered an interview, where it is practical for us to do so. This is known as the Offer of an Interview.

To secure an interview under the Offer of an Interview scheme for this role, you must meet the minimum criteria at the relevant stage of the application process, as outlined below.

1. You’ll be required to reach the minimum pass mark for the online Situational Judgement Test (SJT), which assesses criteria important for all roles in our organisation.
2. You must hold (or be on track to achieve) a minimum of a 2:2 degree in a STEM subject by Summer 2027.
3. You’ll be required to reach the minimum pass mark for two application questions.

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Below is a brief overview of the recruitment stages:

1. Online Application and Question Sift: You’ll complete an online application form, including application questions. We’ll review your responses to assess your skills, experience and suitability for the role.
2. Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) in which you rate the appropriateness of responses to a series of short scenarios.
3. Virtual Technical & Competency Interview: A virtual interview designed to assess your technical knowledge, problem-solving approach, and how you apply your skills in real-world scenarios, alongside the behaviours and competencies relevant to the role.

If successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment. As the recruitment process, including vetting, can take some time to complete, we recommend that you remain in your current employment until you receive your final job offer.

Before You Apply

To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality.

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes.

Please note that we have a strict drugs policy. Once you start your application, you must not take any recreational drugs, and you’ll need to declare any previous drug use at the relevant stage.

Before applying, we recommend setting up a separate email address for your contact with us to help keep your personal and application correspondence separate. Try to avoid including identifying information in your email address, such as your first name, surname, or date of birth. This is good practice and will help you manage your application more securely.

The role is based in Samlesbury, Lancashire, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practical arrangements before submitting your application. We do not offer relocation costs.

We offer reasonable reimbursement of travel costs for candidates attending in-person appointments during the recruitment and vetting process. Full details will be provided with your interview or assessment invitation.

Reimbursement is discretionary and will only be made in accordance with the Candidate Expenses Policy, as amended from time to time. Candidates must book their own travel using the most economical option available and provide original hard copy receipts to claim reimbursement.

Please note that we can only contact you while you’re in the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you’re visiting the UK before progressing your application. Being outside the UK may affect our ability to contact you and progress your application. You should not discuss your application with anyone other than your partner or close family member.

Right to withdraw statement

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close applications once a certain number have been received. To avoid missing out, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

If you have a disability (as defined under the Equality Act 2010) and require additional time to complete your application, please submit your initial application and then contact us via the email address provided as soon as possible, using the subject line, “Reasonable Adjustments Extension” and briefly outline the support you require.

Please note, it is this organisation's policy not to provide feedback at any stage of the recruitment process. This may be contrary to the message below.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : careers@recruitmentteam.org.uk
• Email : careers@recruitmentteam.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : careers@recruitmentteam.org.uk