Graduate Vehicle Cyber Security Engineer


Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Salary:	£33,477 to £33,477 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Bristol
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	30 Oct 2026
Closing date:	12 Nov 2026

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Summary

Are you interested in the cyber security challenges facing modern vehicles?

Do you want to apply your engineering skills to emerging technologies, software assurance and cyber security regulation?

Would you like to help protect connected vehicles from evolving security threats?

Do you want a tailored graduate programme that supports your professional development and progression towards professional status?

If you are looking for the next step in your career and professional development, our Graduate Scheme could be for you.

About Us

Our work is focused on improving vehicle safety and environmental protection by providing robust testing and certification to national and internationally recognised standards. We are a part of the Department of Transport as the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval Authority. With more than 40 years’ experience, we have become one of the largest and well-respected approval bodies around. This position has been built on a reputation for technical expertise and quality, which is at the heart of everything we do, and what you could be a part of.

Want to know more? Hear from Lucy-Adele Fone, Graduate Scheme Programme Lead, and explore our Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/LwXtBo-AhHQ?si=AYtZ0bLth_DqTgS6

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here

25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday

Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Vehicle Certification Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Please note that this vacancy is being advertised alongside two other similar roles 484846 and 484321 within VCA. Applicants are welcome to apply to all three positions. Please note that the sift and interview approach for all three campaigns is identical, as a result, if successful at sift candidates will be invited to attend one interview, which will be used to assess their suitability across all roles applied to. Candidates may therefore be considered for one or more of the vacancies, with appointment decisions made on merit following assessment against the advertised criteria.

Joining the VCA and Wider DfT Graduate Scheme as a permanent member of staff will open the door to a wide range of development opportunities. Collaborating with vehicle manufacturers, testing organisations and technical specialists from around the world, you will help ensure vehicles remain safe, secure and compliant with national and international standards.

As a Graduate Vehicle Cyber Security Engineer, you will spend your first two years developing a broad understanding of vehicle certification, cyber security, software updates and regulatory compliance through a combination of on-the-job experience, structured learning and technical placements. You will undertake rotations across VCA and may have opportunities to gain experience with organisations such as the Department for Transport, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.

Extensive travel within the UK and overseas is an essential part of the scheme, with potential opportunities to work alongside VCA's international offices in Japan and North America.

Following your initial training period, you will progress into a substantive Higher Executive Officer role within VCA's International Operations Division. Working with manufacturers, laboratories and test facilities, you will support the assessment of vehicles, systems and components against regulatory requirements across Great Britain and international markets, gaining expertise in certification processes and emerging vehicle technologies.

As your technical knowledge develops, you will become increasingly involved in the assessment of manufacturers' cyber security and software update systems, supporting audits, reviewing technical documentation and contributing to certification activities. This provides a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of automotive innovation, helping to ensure connected and software-defined vehicles remain secure throughout their lifecycle.

Throughout the scheme, you will receive support from a dedicated mentor and professional network, with encouragement to work towards Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status through the IMechE MPDS or IET Career Manager frameworks.

Your main duties will include but will not be limited to:

Work towards CEng or IEng by engaging with the IMechE MPDS or IET Career Manager frameworks
Produce quarterly and annual development reports and ensure these are approved and submitted on time
Maintain disciplined record-keeping, tracking objectives, evidence, and progress
Develop and support expert technical knowledge in vehicle systems, components, and associated technology
Follow agency procedures and quality requirements
Work to support and update GB national regulations to ensure vehicles stay safe, secure and environmentally friendly throughout their lifetime
Engagement with mentor and line Manager by attending regular meetings to review your goals, report progress, and set development goals. Actively seek feedback from mentor, line manager and subject matter experts
Objective setting and self-management
Assessments of vehicle manufacturers cyber security and software update submissions as part of the Type Approval process to ensure compliance with regulations
Support the auditing of management systems to evaluate manufacturer claims of effective processes
Attend and observe vehicle testing, documenting the results through detailed records that support the evaluation process
Assessment of vehicle manufacturers cyber security and software update submissions as part of the Type Approval process to ensure compliance with regulations

To learn more about how VCA is supporting the development of connected and automated vehicles and helping shape the future of transport, visit Connected and Automated Vehicles - Vehicle Certification Agency.

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