Cybersecurity Incident Response Engineer

Job Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are seeking a Cybersecurity Incident Response Engineer to join the University of Auckland’s Cybersecurity team, playing a critical role in protecting the University’s digital environment. This position has a strong focus on leading and managing major security incidents, ensuring effective detection, response and recovery across a complex and evolving technology landscape.

In this role, you will take ownership of high-impact incidents, confidently leading responses from start to finish. This includes performing deep technical analysis, coordinating stakeholders, and maintaining clear, effective communication under pressure. You will work closely with senior leadership, the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, and an external Security Operations Centre to strengthen the University’s overall security posture.

This role sits within an evolving function, including the development of a centralised, sector-wide security operations capability across multiple universities. It offers the opportunity to contribute to a more specialised and mature incident response capability, while working at pace with emerging threats and modern attack methods. You will play a key role in improving processes, tools and practices, and supporting a collaborative and resilient security environment.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing active security incidents, including technical analysis and coordination of response activities
• Supporting and working closely with the external Security Operations Centre to enhance detection and response capability
• Conducting threat analysis and contributing to threat hunting and proactive security monitoring
• Improving incident response processes, playbooks and automation to strengthen operational effectiveness
• Supporting security engineering activities, including system hardening, vulnerability management and tool optimisation
• Contributing to capability development within the team through mentoring, collaboration and continuous improvement

This is a permanent full-time position (37.5 hours per week). The salary range for this role is $120,000 to $145,000 (per annum, pro-rated for part time), negotiable depending on skills and experience.

A full description of your duties and the role are provided in the position description linked HERE.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are an experienced cybersecurity professional with strong, hands-on capability in incident response and security operations. You are confident leading major incidents and making decisions in high-pressure situations, bringing a calm and structured approach to complex and evolving challenges.

You have experience working across modern security environments, including cloud-based systems and emerging threat landscapes. You are comfortable operating within a developing or maturing function and contribute positively to change and improvement initiatives. You are also a clear and effective communicator, able to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and support a collaborative team environment.

E rapua ana mātou | We are seeking

• Established experience in cybersecurity incident response, including leading and managing major incidents
• Experience working within or alongside a Security Operations Centre environment
• Proven technical capability across systems, networks and modern cloud environments
• Ability to perform technical analysis, including investigation of security events and threats
• Positive communication skills, particularly in high-pressure or critical incident scenarios
• Experience contributing to improvements in processes, tooling or security capability within a complex environment

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university, guided by a commitment to excellence and service to our communities. With more than 6,000 academic and professional staff, we support a diverse community of over 47,000 students.

Guided by our values, we work collaboratively to advance knowledge, foster equity and inclusion, and contribute meaningfully to New Zealand’s social, cultural, and economic well-being.

We cultivate an environment that supports your growth and rewards excellence with a range of staff benefits, including:

• Competitive salary and five weeks of annual leave
• Discounted public Transport for permanent and long-term fixed term staff
• Superannuation/KiwiSaver, matching up to 6.75%
• Flexible working arrangements, including working from home and flexible hours
• Leading, and inclusive parental leave provisions
• Career development opportunities and a range of benefits, including discounted insurance, memberships, and on‑site amenities

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit your application online by the closing date of Sunday, 09 August 2026. Your application should include:

• A brief Cover Letter explaining why you're interested in this role and how your skills match the requirements.
• Your updated CV.

Please note that we do not accept email applications.

For a confidential discussion, you are welcome to contact Neil Gardner, Senior Recruitment Consultant at [email protected]

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz