Systems Security Engineering Specialist

As a Systems Security Engineering Specialist at Rolls-Royce, your key responsibilities will include collaborating with global product security teams, applying secure cyber resilient engineering principles throughout the product lifecycle, and managing projects in cybersecurity. You'll work on creating digital models, developing security best practices, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Your role is crucial in developing actionable security measures against evolving threats to safeguard our defense products.

To be considered for the Systems Security Engineering Specialist position at Rolls-Royce, candidates should possess a relevant associate or bachelor’s degree alongside several years of experience in an engineering environment focusing on electrical, software, controls, or systems. Those with higher degrees, such as a master’s, JD, or PhD, will also be taken into account, plus experience in lieu of formal qualifications. Moreover, U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a high-level security clearance are essential.

Rolls-Royce is dedicated to the growth of its Systems Security Engineering Specialists. The company promotes continuous skill development and cross-specialization through hands-on experience, mentorship, and access to cutting-edge technologies. Employees are encouraged to actively learn, share knowledge, and take advantage of diverse opportunities to enhance their professional capabilities within a stimulating and collaborative work environment.

At Rolls-Royce, Systems Security Engineering Specialists work in a collaborative and innovative environment, often as part of a multi-disciplinary team. The company supports a hybrid work model that allows for a flexible balance between in-office collaboration and remote work. This encourages a dynamic workspace where ideas are freely shared, and team members can address complex technical challenges together.

Rolls-Royce offers a comprehensive benefits package for its Systems Security Engineering Specialists, which includes competitive base pay, a discretionary bonus plan, health and dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement. Additional perks, such as an Employee Assistance Program and paid parental leave, further enhance the overall employment experience at Rolls-Royce.

In answering this question, focus on discussing specific projects where you applied secure cyber resilient engineering principles. Highlight the methodologies you used and how your contributions helped improve system security. Discuss any relevant standards or frameworks you've worked with, demonstrating your understanding of both theoretical concepts and practical applications in cybersecurity.

You should mention subscribing to industry publications, participating in relevant webinars, and being involved in professional organizations. Describe how you engage with communities, attend conferences, or take courses to keep your skills current. Showing your proactive approach to learning reflects well on your commitment to staying ahead in your field.

Discuss your approach to vulnerability assessments, including tools you utilize and techniques like risk assessment methodologies. Share how you prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk implications, and relate a specific example where your assessment led to meaningful improvements in system security.

Show your problem-solving skills by outlining a clear process for addressing the flaw. Talk about how you would convene cross-functional teams to assess the impact, communicate the issue to stakeholders, and implement a plan to mitigate the risk without derailing timelines. The focus should be on your ability to remain calm, assess the situation, and seek collaborative solutions.

Here, discuss your familiarity with standards like the Risk Management Framework, NIST, or others relevant to your field. Provide examples of how you have integrated compliance processes into project workflows and how you ensure teams understand and adhere to these standards throughout the product lifecycle.

Highlight a moment where you bridged the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Focus on your communication style, the tools or analogies you used, and how your influence led to a clearer understanding of cybersecurity measures or decisions necessary for the project.

Talk about your experience in working with diverse teams, such as engineers, project managers, and clients, to integrate security into product design. Emphasize the value of multi-disciplinary collaboration in identifying risks and creating robust security solutions, showing how you appreciate diverse perspectives in decision-making.

Discuss specific challenges like evolving cybersecurity threats, the complexity of integrated systems, or regulatory pressures. Provide your insights on how to address these challenges through innovation, continuous improvement, and upholding rigorous security practices – reinforcing your proactive mindset.

Emphasize your organizational skills and strategies for prioritizing based on deadlines, project importance, and resource availability. Share specific tools or methods you use to manage tasks, maintaining clarity in your communication about priorities to your team to ensure collaborative success.

Discuss the importance of relevant metrics such as incident response time, vulnerability patching frequency, user awareness and training effectiveness, and compliance audit results. Provide examples of how you have used these metrics in past roles to evaluate and enhance security program effectiveness.