Overview
Join to apply for the Principal Engineer, Cyber Defence role at Optus. Optus is an Australian telecommunications company delivering services across mobile, broadband and digital solutions. The Principal Cyber Defence Engineer is a critical technical leadership role within our Cyber Defence team. You’ll drive the evolution of Optus’ defensive cyber capabilities, shaping strategy, architecture, and execution across threat hunting, detection engineering, incident response, and threat intelligence. This role builds a proactive, intelligence-led defence posture that protects customers and critical infrastructure. You’ll work with senior leaders across the business to influence strategic decisions and ensure cyber defence initiatives deliver real impact. This is a hands-on leadership role that blends deep technical expertise with strategic vision and stakeholder engagement.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Lead the technical transformation and strategy of the Cyber Defence program.
* Own the Cyber Defence technology roadmap, ensuring visibility of progress, risks, dependencies, and outcomes.
* Provide technical oversight across threat hunting, purple teaming, detection engineering, incident management, and threat intelligence.
* Shape and integrate defensive capabilities with Threat & Attack Research and Offensive Security functions.
* Drive continuous improvement in operational and engineering excellence through process refinement and innovation.
* Develop business cases for investment in cyber defence capabilities and lead resulting initiatives.
* Foster a culture of excellence, integrity, and professionalism across the cyber defence team.
* Provide technical coaching and mentorship to uplift engineering and investigative capability.
* Collaborate with senior stakeholders across business units to align cyber initiatives with strategic priorities.
* Influence and support change across the organisation, enabling transformation through cyber resilience.
What You’ll Bring
* Proven leadership in cyber defence, with experience across threat intelligence, detection engineering, incident response, and forensics.
* Deep understanding of adversary TTPs, malware evolution, and threat modelling frameworks (e.g., MITRE ATT&CK, Pyramid of Pain).
* Strong technical expertise in cyber threat landscape including state actors, cybercrime, insider threats, and hacktivism.
* Experience with automation, scripting (Python), and engineering deployment pipelines.
* Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives and manage ambiguity.
* Strategic thinking with the ability to translate technical risk into business impact.
* Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across all levels of the organisation.
* Experience in financial management (capex/opex) and business case development.
* Ability to work autonomously, make proactive decisions, and drive change.
* Strong people leadership, coaching, and mentoring capability.
* Tertiary qualifications in computer science, cyber security, engineering, or related disciplines.
The good stuff
* Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. 80 AUD monthly credit and 25% off Optus products with shopping discounts via our partners.
* Flexible working arrangements with options to work three days in the office and two days remote.
* Vibrant office campus with cafes, convenience store, chill-out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare.
* Competitive leave policies, including additional \"Connected\" days to focus on culture, family, health, or community.
* Parental leave of up to 16 weeks to support growing families.
* Development opportunities with Optus U’s micro-credentials, developed with universities.
* Employee networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and LGBTQIA+ initiatives.
* Wellbeing support including free counselling and support services 24/7.
* Transit assistance such as a free Optus bus from Macquarie University Metro Station (morning and afternoon).
Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility
Optus is committed to equal employment opportunity for all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, LGBTQIA+ community members, and Indigenous Australians. If you require adjustments to participate in recruitment, please email AccessibleRecruitment@optus.com.au or call 1800 309 170. We will respond within 48 hours. For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, please visit Optus Diversity & Inclusion.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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