Software Engineering Intern - 12-month Placement

About Us

Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services. Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks. Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response.

Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies — including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM. Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com .

The role

This placement is within Sophos' Endpoint Security Group (ESG), one of the company's largest engineering organizations, responsible for developing the core endpoint protection technologies that keep customers safe from cyber threats.

Sophos is a next-generation IT security vendor that has stayed at the forefront of the industry by understanding the threat landscape, changing business needs and customer challenges. We are constantly looking for ways to revolutionise how security technology interacts with the user and have a penchant for solving complex and challenging technical problems creatively and innovatively.

We annually search for the brightest and most creative undergraduates, who want to kick-start a career in IT Security, to join our Software Engineering internship programme for their year in industry. This will be a fully remote position by default, with the option to work from our office in Abingdon where you will be able to meet other team members.

Meet Our Engineering Teams

• To help students learn more about Sophos, our engineering teams, and our placement opportunities, we will be hosting a virtual webinar on 15th October 2026 . During the session, students will hear from members of our engineering teams as well as current and former placement students, who will share insights into life at Sophos and the projects our interns work on.

Webinar Details

• 15th October 2026

• Registration link: https://events.sophos.com/webinar/cda2dc40-d442-4cee-8f69-341749a11689

What we are looking for

• To succeed in this role, you’ll be passionate about software development, and keen to use your programming and scripting skills, your innovative ideas, and your problem-solving talent to help the team develop the best security products in the world. You’ll feel at home within an Agile team with its open communications, pair programming, commitment to quality and focus on getting things done.

What you should expect

• Every intern at Sophos is treated as a full member of one of our Engineering teams, expected to show the same level of commitment as our permanent staff, and receive equivalent opportunities as a result. We will provide all the necessary support to enable you to succeed in contributing directly to the high-quality products that we release to our customers.

• You will typically be exposed to the full project lifecycle, contributing at all stages, and pairing with our experienced engineers during the agile development phase.

• We take on a group of interns each year and, along with our graduate recruits, find that there is an active social scene amongst those who chose to come and live near the Abingdon office. Oxford is close by, offering the nightlife expected of a student city, and there is a leisure centre alongside our headquarters for those with an interest in sports.

• There may be opportunities for permanent employment with Sophos following graduation, for the highest performers amongst our industry placement students. We consider the internship programme as an investment in potential future employees, so strive to make it the best experience for you and expect the same commitment back.

• Sophos prides itself in developing top talent and providing an environment where you can learn and develop your skills and career alongside some of the world’s leading software engineers. Sophos celebrates diversity and is committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone feels they can deliver the best work of their careers.

Main Responsibilities

• Write product code along with test automation to deliver against project timescales, quality, and requirements

• Effectively contribute during pair programming to deliver tasks as required by the agile team

• Contribute to daily stand-ups, kick-offs, collaborative estimation, and retrospective meetings

• Participate in the design of products in line with asset technical strategy, quality, and functionality requirements

• Actively contribute to release planning and drive for high-value, high-quality solutions meeting business needs

• Participate in security reviews of new developments to ensure that released products comply with Sophos’ security requirements and industry best practice

• Other duties and responsibilities as directed

Experience and Skills

• Essential:

• Experience of developing code in any language

• Ability to learn new skills quickly and apply them to the role

• Natural problem solver who enjoys being challenged

• Able to work autonomously whilst working collaboratively within the wider team environment

• Interpersonal communication style, a natural relationship builder who uses these skills to deliver

• Currently completing a BSc in Computing or other numerate discipline, or equivalent experience

Desirable:

• Development using C++ or Java

• Scripting using Python

• Experience of working within Agile development methodologies

• Knowledge of virtualization platforms

• Experience with automated regression testing

Benefits

• The remuneration package includes:

• Annual holiday entitlement of 25 days

• £27,300 p.a.

• Group personal pension scheme

• Private medical insurance

• Critical illness insurance

• Death in service policy (life assurance)

• Permanent health insurance

• Travel insurance

• Personal accident cover

• Sports centre adjacent to the headquarters building, with a discounted gym membership

Special Conditions and Recruitment Process

• This internship is a 12-month placement to commence following completion of your 2nd year in July 2027, it is not a summer intern placement. Candidates can only be considered if they are able to commit to the full year.

• We will be holding two online recruitment days involving presentations about what it’s like to be an intern at Sophos, a chance to meet current interns and ask questions, an interview, and a small-group task.

• The dates for these recruitment days will be Tuesday 3rd November and Thursday 5th November.

Ready to Join Us?

At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back – we encourage you to apply.

What's Great About Sophos?

· Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach. While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.

· Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit

· Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy

· Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities

· Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint

· Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp

· Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge

· Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing

Our Commitment To You

We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team. All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation. We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know.

Data Protection

If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos. If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights. For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos

What does remote mean at Sophos? Sophos supports flexible ways of working, with many roles offered remotely and others working in a hybrid model. For remote roles, you may work remotely within the location specified in the job posting. Candidates must reside in and be authorized to work in that location. Our teams collaborate across locations and time zones, using technology to stay connected and deliver results.

Our Commitment To You

Sophos welcomes applicants with diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We believe great ideas come from different ways of thinking, and we are committed to building a workplace where people can contribute, grow, and succeed.

We evaluate all candidates based on job-related skills, qualifications, and experience, and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact hiring@sophos.com. Any information shared will be used only for the purpose of evaluating and providing the requested accommodation.