Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst
DEFEND | Wellington
Ready to hunt threats, reduce risk, and shape the future of cyber defence?
At DEFEND, we don’t just respond to cyber threats, we engineer resilience. We’re looking for a Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst to lead from the front: driving vulnerability management, hunting adversaries, investigating incidents and partnering with customers to stay one step ahead.
Requirements
Why this role matters
You’ll be at the heart of protecting critical environments—translating complex risks into clear action, and turning insight into stronger, smarter security.
What you’ll do
- Own end-to-end vulnerability management across infrastructure, endpoints, and applications
- Identify, prioritise, and communicate risk—from everyday exposures to zero-day threats
- Conduct proactive threat hunting using modern query languages (KQL, CQL)
- Investigate and respond to real-world security incidents across identity, endpoint, and network layers
- Automate security operations using Python, PowerShell, Bash, and/or emerging AI techniques
- Partner with stakeholders to drive remediation and risk reduction
- Deliver high-quality reporting and insights that influence decision-making
- Contribute to cloud security posture and hardening initiatives
- Continuously improve playbooks, processes, and detection capability
What you’ll bring
- Experience with vulnerability management platforms (e.g. Qualys, CrowdStrike)
- Solid grasp of risk prioritisation frameworks
- Hands-on threat hunting and security operations expertise
- Experience with SIEM, EDR, and modern security tooling
- Scripting/automation skills (Python, PowerShell, or AI)
- Confident communicator who can translate technical risk into business impact
- A mindset geared toward curiosity, ownership, and continuous improvement
What’s in it for you
- Work with a team that lives the DEFEND Way: Understanding, Partnership, Ownership, Guardianship, Excellence
- Deepen your expertise in large-scale risk and vulnerability management as well as automation
- Influence how modern cyber defence is delivered
- Clear pathways into senior engineering or leadership roles
- Be part of a culture that values excellence, growth, and innovation
The bottom line
If you’re a cyber operator who thrives on solving complex problems, partnering with customers, and making a real impact, we want to hear from you.
Please note this is an on-site role at a customer premises.
Benefits
About DEFEND:
Our dream at DEFEND is to improve everyday life by creating a cyber resilient world. Over the last few years, we've experienced phenomenal growth, working with a wide variety of customers and winning several industry awards, including Microsoft's Global Partner of the Year for 2025!
Why DEFEND?
We believe in investing in our employees’ growth and providing them with opportunities to advance their skills and careers. We offer a collaborative workplace culture, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where innovative thinking is encouraged.
By joining our innovative and creative team you will have the opportunity to contribute a variety of cybersecurity outcomes, from culture & awareness of cyber resilience, through to offensive & defensive security. No matter what your role, everyone at DEFEND contributes towards our dream of creating a cyber resilient world.
The benefits of working at DEFEND
In addition to working for a growing, dynamic NZ company, DEFEND offers the following benefits to all our DEFENDers
- 3.5% Kiwisaver on top of your base salary
- Southern Cross Health Insurance coverage
- Mobile and Broadband discounts for yourself and family
- Flexible, hybrid work environment
- An allowance to contribute to your home office setup
- Access to EAP services to support you across a range of wellbeing needs
Diversity & Inclusion:
At DEFEND, we celebrate a variety of perspectives and experiences. We know from experience that people from underrepresented groups often don’t apply for roles they don’t feel they meet all the criteria for. We’re committed to creating an environment that enables all our team to thrive. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t check every single box, please consider applying. We’d love to hear how you might contribute to the team and being our next DEFENDer.
Ready to help shape the future of cybersecurity in New Zealand? Apply now or learn more at: https://defend.co.nz/careers/
Skills Required
- Experience with vulnerability management platforms (e.g., Qualys, CrowdStrike)
- Solid grasp of risk prioritisation frameworks
- Hands-on threat hunting and security operations expertise
- Experience with SIEM, EDR, and modern security tooling
- Scripting/automation skills (Python, PowerShell, Bash, or AI techniques)
- Ability to investigate and respond to security incidents across identity, endpoint, and network layers
- Confident communicator able to translate technical risk into business impact
- On-site work at customer premises
What We Do
DEFEND are an independent agnostic cyber security partner. Security practice leading capability in: - Auditing and Compliance (NIST Framework) - Business C-Level/Board consultancy (Virtual CISO) - Cloud/Data Centre Connect - Service Provider independent compliance - Network (WAN/LAN/Wi-Fi/Telco) - Application performance & secure coding - End point and End User protection - Threat Education & Intelligence - BCP & DR DEFEND develop and provide managed cyber security outsourcing & consulting services across industry verticals. DEFEND support and assist customers to ensure they have access to the best people, process and technology to mitigate and reduce business risk from Cyber-attacks. DEFEND are a specialist threat protection, intelligence and detection company providing services across ANZ . DEFEND are heavily focus on end user centric threat management solutions. DEFEND provide guidance and leadership within your disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity planning (BCP). We provide an aggregated security procurement management service to ensure our customer obtain the most effective access to services, solutions and pricing. Our objective is to attract only the most credible and capable people to join our team. We ensure our customers have a safe pair hands to call upon proactively and reactively in their time of need. If you want to join DEFEND or would allow us the privilege to become your partner then please contact us.
