Communications Security Establishment / CSE

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PO Box 9701 Terminal
Ottawa, ON K1G 3Z4
The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s national lead for foreign signals intelligence and cyber operations, and the technical authority for cybersecurity.

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Communications Security Establishment / CSE
CSE employees host a panel event to mark the launch of the organization's equity, diversity and inclusion strategy  

Recognized as one of National Capital Region's Top Employers (2025):

By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Mar 3, 2025)

Here are some of the reasons why Communications Security Establishment / CSE was selected as one of National Capital Region's Top Employers (2025):

  • CSE's prioritizes mental health within its health plan, recently increasing its mental health practitioner coverage from $2,000 to $5,000 per year, as well as providing employees on-site access to accredited counsellors for individual counselling, mediation, facilitated discussion, and stress management support
  • CSE supports employees starting a family with generous maternity and parental leave top-up payments of up to 93 per cent of salary (available for a full year for mothers and 37 weeks for fathers and adoptive parents) -- upon returning to work, employees can take advantage of flexible work arrangements and receive priority access to a nearby daycare facility
  • CSE manages a unique Legacy Talks series where soon-to-be-retired employees share valuable corporate, operational, and personal insights gained over long and productive careers, passing their wisdom on to current employees
The interior hub area of CSE's head office in Ottawa  

    Highlights

    Industry Federal government, national security
    Established in Canada 1946
    Major Canadian locations Waterloo ON, Victoria BC, Halifax NS, St. John's NL, Hamilton ON, Gatineau QC, Edmonton AB, Vancouver BC, Ottawa ON, Montréal QC, Toronto ON
    Full-time employees in Canada 3,557
    Part-time employees in Canada 67
    Average age of employees in Canada 40 years
    Longest serving employee 49 years
    Flexible work options hybrid work option, flexible work hours, compressed work week, shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), telecommuting, earned days off program
    Long-term savings defined-benefit (DB) pension
    Health plan premium as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 100% of the premiums
    Mental health practitioner benefit up to $5,000 each year
    Maternity top-up (mothers) up to 93% of salary for 20 weeks
    Parental top-up (mothers) up to 93% of salary for 32 weeks
    Parental top-up (fathers) up to 93% of salary for 37 weeks
    Adoption top-up up to 93% of salary for 37 weeks
    Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job
    Outside survey period outside consultant surveys are held every 24 months
    Employee performance reviews employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months
    In-house training initiatives in-house training, online training, mentoring, leadership development programs, paid internships
    Tuition subsidies (related to job) yes
    Employee charitable involvement employees are involved in selection of charities, employees receive paid time off to volunteer, (up to 2 paid days)

    Recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025):

    By Kristina Leung, Chantel Watkins, and Cypress Weston, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Jan 20, 2025)

    Here are some of the reasons why Communications Security Establishment / CSE was selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025):

    • CSE created a Young Professionals Network to provide support and a collective voice for young employees -- a number of initiatives are organized throughout the year, including an annual career trade show, social media awareness sessions, and Legacy Talks, where soon-to-be retired employees share their knowledge (organized in partnership with the Aspiring Leaders Network)
    • CSE hires a steady stream of students throughout the academic year's three terms -- students studying outside of the National Capital Region are entitled to travel relocation costs, including airfare and a per-term allowance of $200 for additional moving expenses, and receive support for housing options (many of which are shared accommodations with other students)
    • CSE offers a unique opportunity for employees to gain leadership experience through the "Take Me With You" program, where senior leaders invite junior employees to participate in high-level meetings and engage in job shadowing to experience a day in the life of a leader
    A CSE employee speaks with participants at a Women in Technology symposium  

      Highlights

      Industry Federal government, national security
      Major Canadian locations Waterloo ON, Victoria BC, Halifax NS, St. John's NL, Hamilton ON, Gatineau QC, Edmonton AB, Vancouver BC, Ottawa ON, Montréal QC, Toronto ON
      Full-time employees in Canada 3,557
      Student opportunities summer jobs, co-op opportunities, paid internships
      In-house training programs orientation program, in-house training, online training, in-house career planning services, online employee skills inventory, mentoring, leadership training
      Tuition subsidies (related to job) yes
      Unique training and development opportunities cohort-based onboarding program (with online courses, instructor-led courses, self-paced learning, and networking activities), Take Me With You program (senior leaders provide an opportunity for junior employees to participate in high-level meetings), job shadowing to allow emerging leaders to experience "a day in the life" of a leader, foreign postings to gain exposure to varied clients, government administrations and political environments, flexible teaming (allows employees to move from one position to another for a temporary period), Coaching Circles (peer-group learning), foreign language incentive pay (up to 8% of eligible employee's salary, and bilingual bonuses of up to $800)
      Additional highlights many students bridge into full-time positions following their studies
      Dedicated employee resource group Aspiring Leaders Network, Young Professionals Network (hosts "Socials With a Purpose" networking events for young people from various departments)
      Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job

      The Career Directory

      Communications Security Establishment / CSE has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.

      Highlights for New Grads

      Industry Federal government, national security
      Full-time employees in Canada 2,501 to 5,000
      Major Canadian locations Waterloo ON, Victoria BC, Halifax NS, St. John's NL, Hamilton ON, Gatineau QC, Edmonton AB, Vancouver BC, Ottawa ON, Montréal QC, Toronto ON
      Student opportunities paid internships, summer jobs, co-op opportunities
      Training subsidies for professional accreditation, orientation program, online training, in-house training, mentoring, in-house career planning services, leadership training
      Other info for new grads Intelligence Analysts and Foreign Language Intelligence Analysts are encouraged to apply.
      Typical new grad positions Computer Systems Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, Mathematician/Cryptanalyst, Software Developer, Network Architect, Telecom Technologist, Network Analyst, Full-Stack Developer, Vulnerability Research Engineer
      Starting salary $70K to $75K
      Work benefits health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, employees receive paid time off to volunteer
      Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job

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