SCQF Level 8 Cyber Security Apprentice - NDA (Dounreay)

Overview

If you are looking at starting your cyber career, this could be the opportunity for you.  As a Cyber apprentice you are an integral part of a team responsible for maintaining an efficient and accurate Cyber function within a business. If this sounds like the ideal role for you, consider joining Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) at Dounreay, via Energus, as a Cyber Apprentice.

Who are the NDA and Energus?

Energus manage, on behalf of the NDA and wider nuclear industry, an award-winning apprenticeship programme. With over 10 years’ experience managing Early Careers programmes across the UK, Energus finds talented apprentices for a range of prestigious employers and ensure a continuous pipeline of talent into the nuclear sector. 

The NDA group sustainably, safely and securely decommissions the UK’s earliest nuclear facilities and preparing them for their next use. Our work ranges from reducing hazards at nuclear sites, to delivering a permanent Geological Disposal Facility for radioactive waste and transporting nuclear materials globally. We also have a unique role supporting delivery of the Government’s sustainability aspirations to achieve and investing in social impact programmes to support the communities around our sites.

Your journey

The NDA group put your development and growth first, and we pride ourselves on our commitment to providing a supportive work environment. Whilst you will be employed by Energus, you will work at Dounreay to develop your overall cyber knowledge and capability. You will follow the Cyber Security pathway. This role is diverse, and varied, and will require you to develop your capabilities as a Cyber professional. This will centre on providing high quality, occasionally confidential, cyber services such as:

• Discovering (through a mix of research and practical exploration) vulnerabilities in a system
• Analysing and evaluating security threats and hazards to a system or service or processes. 
• Researching and investigating some common attack techniques and recommend how to defend against them. 
• Undertaking a security risk assessment for a simple system and propose basic remediation advice.
• Sourcing and analysing a security case (e.g. a Common Criteria Protection Profile for a security component) and describe what threats, vulnerability or risks are mitigated and identify any residual areas of concern.
• Developing a simple security case without supervision.
• Identifying and following organisational policies and standards for information and cyber security and operate according to service level agreements or employer defined performance targets. 

Requirements

Qualifications

• Grade A-C National 5/Grade 9-4 GCSEs in Maths and English.
• Highers/A-Levels grade C or above, including ICT
  • Also acceptable: International Baccalaureate at Level 3 in ICT; Level 3 apprenticeship in a similar subject; BTEC Extended Diploma in IT

Traits

• Problem-solving and logical thinking
• Good numerical competency
• Attention to detail
• Ability to manage own time and learning
• Strong level of ICT skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Benefits:

• A starting salary of £17,000 for the first year, increasing to £26,000 in the second year.
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Access to Energus contributory pension scheme
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace

Application deadline

The closing date for applications is 16:00 on 03/04/2026.

Apprenticeship standard

This apprenticeship is delivered in line with Apprenticeship Standard and will be delivered in conjunction with the training provider, QA. More information about this apprenticeship standard can be found at the following URL: Cyber Security SCQF Level 8

Our Candidate Journey
Step One: Apply on-line
Complete our on-line application form to help us understand more about you, your skills and experience. The job advertisement will give you a clear understanding of the requirements for the role.

Step Two: Complete a short psychometric assessment
The link to the psychometric assessment, called Neurosight, will be emailed to you between 1 and 7 days after your application. Make sure you check the spelling of your email address when applying, as the link cannot be re-generated. Please aim to complete the assessment within 3 days. We will send reminders out following this timescale.

Step Three: Online 1-1 Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview with a member of the Early Careers Team. These will take place in mid April.

Step Four: Half Day In-Person Assessment Centre
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to join us for an assessment centre, a half day event consisting of exercises and an interview. This will take place in late April.