Head of Cybersecurity

About Emesent

Emesent develops autonomous robotics, LiDAR mapping, and spatial data solutions that are changing how industries capture and interpret the physical environment. Established in 2018 with strong links to Australia’s CSIRO, the company has grown into a global provider of drone autonomy and mobile mapping technology.

As Emesent expands its customer base and product range across hardware, desktop software, and cloud products, it is seeking a senior leader to help guide the organisation through its next stage of growth.

The role

The Head of Cybersecurity will take responsibility for Emesent’s security posture, program design, and certification evidence as a senior individual contributor. This is a newly created position reporting to the EVP Product & Engineering, working closely with leaders across Engineering, IT, Product, Quality, and Project Management.

The main mandate is to define the target state for cybersecurity, create alignment across the business, raise maturity over time, and make sure the company can prove that maturity through evidence. This position provides direction, governance, structure, training, assurance, and influence across the organisation. Delivery and implementation sit with other teams under the EVP, so this is not an operational security or SOC function.

Core responsibilities

• Set, maintain, and clearly communicate Emesent’s overall cybersecurity position.
• Report cybersecurity risk and maturity to executive leadership and the board in a clear and usable way.
• Convert technical and operational security work into an organisation-wide view of readiness and risk.
• Design and own the cybersecurity improvement program across product and business systems.
• Create a structured roadmap that lifts security maturity across Engineering and IT.
• Keep security efforts aligned across all delivery functions and support prioritisation with functional leaders.
• Build cybersecurity governance forums, operating rhythms, and decision-making structures.
• Define control frameworks and the evidence needed across systems and teams.
• Own audit preparedness, assurance approaches, and traceability between controls and frameworks.
• Coordinate and conduct internal and external security reviews and audits.
• Drive readiness for major cybersecurity frameworks and certifications, including CMMC Level 2, NIST SP 800-171, the Australian ISM, Essential Eight, DISP, and ISO/IEC 27001.
• Manage relationships with local and international assessors and certification bodies.
• Oversee engagement with IRAP, C3PAO, penetration testing, and audit partners.
• Help position Emesent for Defence procurement and compliance expectations.
• Work closely with Product, Engineering, and IT leaders to build security requirements into design and delivery.
• Provide practical, risk-based advice on architecture and engineering decisions.
• Support teams in making sensible security trade-offs during delivery.
• Serve as a trusted cybersecurity advisor to technical leaders across hardware, desktop software, mobile, cloud, manufacturing, IT infrastructure, and business systems.
• Lead company-wide security awareness and education to strengthen everyday risk awareness.
• Develop lasting security capability through ongoing learning and development so maturity scales with the business.
• Establish and guide a cross-functional network of cybersecurity focals and specialists to broaden ownership beyond a single role.

What success looks like

You will help define what strong cybersecurity looks like at Emesent, bring structure to a growing environment, and influence leaders without direct line authority. The role requires the ability to discuss security credibly with technical teams as well as executive and board stakeholders.

Who this role suits

This opportunity is best suited to a cybersecurity leader who is comfortable in high-accountability, influence-led settings. Emesent is looking for someone who can work across engineering product development environments, understands both software and hardware contexts, and can drive cultural change through strong people leadership and trust.

The ideal candidate will have around 10 years of experience leading cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance, preferably within regulated industries such as Defence or critical infrastructure. Experience with certification or audit readiness is important, along with Australian citizenship and the ability to obtain security clearance.

Candidates who meet some, but not all, of the background criteria are still encouraged to apply.

Why this position matters

This is a foundational leadership role for Emesent’s future. It will directly influence the company’s ability to work in Defence and other regulated sectors, while helping cybersecurity become a clear, documented, and trusted capability across the business.

Added perks

• Every second Friday off under a 9-day fortnight arrangement.
• Employee Share Option Plan so you can participate in the company’s growth.
• A collaborative team environment focused on building advanced technology.
• Access to learning and development support, including LinkedIn Learning.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• An extra day of leave each year for your work anniversary.
• Novated lease options.

Additional information

Emesent uses artificial intelligence tools in parts of its recruitment process, such as application review, resume analysis, or response assessment. These tools support the recruitment team but do not replace human judgment, and final hiring decisions are made by people. If you want more detail about how your information is handled, you can contact the company directly.

About Emesent

Emesent describes itself as a company creating technology that is shaping how industries capture and understand the physical world. It offers a collaborative workplace, competitive compensation, and opportunities for professional growth while continuing to advance robotics and spatial intelligence.