Graduate Engineer - Security Research and Testing

About the Role

Launch your career in Security Research 

Research roles at UKTL utilise our cutting-edge lab environment to test communications systems to their limits in new and novel ways.

Are you fascinated by how technology works and how it can be made more secure? Do you enjoy solving complex problems, investigating vulnerabilities, and understanding how systems behave under attack?

The UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL) Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity to build a career at the forefront of communications security. Working alongside leading researchers and security specialists, you'll help strengthen the equipment used in UK's infrastructure through testing, research and innovation.

UKTL also offers Graduate Engineer roles in IT Platforms & Cyber. Before submitting your application, we encourage you to review both opportunities and choose the one that best aligns with your interests, skills and career aspirations. Please submit one application only.

What you'll be doing

As a graduate in security research and testing, you'll join one of our specialist security research focused teams:

• Penetration and Cyber Security Testing
• Vulnerability Research
• Cyber Security and Privacy Research

You'll work on real-world challenges affecting national communications infrastructure, helping to identify critical security issues, and improve the resilience of communications products.

You'll receive structured development, mentoring and technical training throughout the two-year programme, giving you the opportunity to develop specialist expertise in security research and telecoms.

Your work could include

• Security testing of communications technologies
• Discovering and analysing new vulnerabilities
• Developing bespoke research tooling
• Conducting novel telecoms research on niche equipment
• Investigating how communications systems behave under real-world attack scenarios

About the Recruitment Process

We're looking for curious, passionate problem-solvers who want to help shape the future of the UK's telecoms ecosystem. Our selection process is designed to help us understand your potential, not just your experience.

• Submit your application
• If shortlisted, complete an online assessment 
• Attend a virtual first-stage interview
• If selected, you'll be invited to an Assessment Centre at our Solihull office in January or February 2027 (date to be confirmed)
• Successful candidates will join UKTL in September 2027

We'll keep you informed throughout the process and look forward to learning more what you can bring to the team.

Location

Our site is conveniently located within easy reach of Birmingham, with excellent transport links. We are accessible by rail, with the nearest being Birmingham International station, and are also served by local bus routes. Free on-site parking is available for those travelling by car.

Hybrid working

Successful applicants will be expected to attend our Birmingham office a minimum of two days per week to facilitate collaboration in our lab. 

About You

Desired degree backgrounds

We welcome applications from any degree background but typically our graduates come from Cyber Security, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic or Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, and other STEM disciplines.

We'd be especially interested if you have: 

• A deep technical understanding of how a computer works.
• An understanding of computer networks down to the bits and bytes.
• Participated in Cyber Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions.
• Completed cyber security research projects.
• Have discovered vulnerabilities or weaknesses in systems.
• Experience with Linux, scripting or programming.

We don't assess candidates on spelling, grammar, or their ability to write polished responses. Instead, we're interested in your genuine experiences, motivation, and passion for the role. We expect you to be ready to share more about the exciting things you've put in your application. 

Security Clearance

We actively recruit people from all backgrounds. Due to the nature of the work within UKTL, successful candidates will be required to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance before starting employment.

As part of the graduate programme, you may have the opportunity to work across different teams and projects. Some roles within the department require a higher level of clearance, including Developed Vetting (DV) . Where this may be relevant to your career pathway, it will be discussed with you during the interview process and throughout the programme.

You are welcome to apply without already holding SC clearance; however, you will not be able to start in post until the clearance has been successfully granted .

Please note:  Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

About Us

UKTL is building leading edge Telecoms testing facilities to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of new technologies, and grow our world leading telecoms sector to maintain resiliency and security. 

Read more about UKTL here !

Successful candidates will join a state-of-the-art facility and be supporting the team conducting testing and research on the latest technologies and innovations in the industry. You will work alongside our infrastructure and Cybersecurity professionals to ensure that the UK’s world class Telecoms infrastructure grows in a resilient and secure manner underpinning growth in other industry sectors.

As a trusted and independent national capability, UKTL interacts with standards bodies, Academia, and Government Departments as well as Communications Service Providers and equipment vendors.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged.  As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments available throughout the selection process.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We offer a wealth of above industry standard benefits, such as enhanced pension scheme, flexible working, and more that can be found here rewards, benefits and recognition . Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.