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Adversary Emulation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Verizon

Principal Red Team Operator

Irving, TX · On-site

Developing adversary emulation plans that align with MITRE ATT&CK by incorporating cyber threat intelligence. * Configuring and safely utilizing attacker tools, tactics, and procedures for Verizon ...

Amazon

Sr. Security Engineer, AWS Security

Seattle, WA

$130K - $178K/yr

Measuring detection, prevention, and telemetry coverage during adversary emulation exercises and providing detailed technical findings to service teams with remediation guidance. -Collaborating with ...

SixGen, Inc.

Senior Red Team Operator

Huntsville, AL · On-site

The ideal candidate will have experience conducting adversary emulation, penetration testing, and red team operations against enterprise, aerospace, and mission-critical environments. This role ...

SixGen, Inc.

Senior Red Team Operator

Huntsville, AL · On-site

The ideal candidate will have experience conducting adversary emulation, penetration testing, and red team operations against enterprise, aerospace, and mission-critical environments. This role ...

Amazon

Sr. Security Engineer, AWS Security

Seattle, WA

$130K - $178K/yr

Measuring detection, prevention, and telemetry coverage during adversary emulation exercises and providing detailed technical findings to service teams with remediation guidance. -Collaborating with ...

Amazon

Sr. Security Engineer, AWS Security

Seattle, WA · On-site

$130K - $178K/yr

Measuring detection, prevention, and telemetry coverage during adversary emulation exercises and providing detailed technical findings to service teams with remediation guidance. -Collaborating with ...

GDIT

Vulnerability Management Lead, Top Secret

Herndon, VA

$105K - $138K/yr

Ensure adversary behavioral characteristics from emulation activities are collected and transformed into improved analytics, detection logic, and defensive process enhancements. * Employ MLbased ...

Diverse Lynx

Red Teamer

Responsibilities : • Execute authorized red team and adversary emulation activities under defined rules of engagement to identify weaknesses in people, process, and technology. • Participate in ...

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How much do adversary emulation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for adversary emulation in the United States is $58.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.44 and $65.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is adversary emulation?

Adversary emulation is a cybersecurity practice in which security professionals simulate real-world cyber attackers, or adversaries, to test and improve an organization’s defenses. By mimicking the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by actual threat actors, adversary emulation helps organizations identify vulnerabilities, assess detection and response capabilities, and strengthen their overall security posture. These exercises are often based on threat intelligence and frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK to ensure realistic scenarios.

What is the difference between Adversary Emulation vs Penetration Tester?

AspectAdversary EmulationPenetration Tester
CredentialsCybersecurity certifications, threat intelligence knowledgeSecurity certifications, ethical hacking certifications
Work EnvironmentSimulates real-world adversary tactics in controlled environmentsIdentifies vulnerabilities through controlled testing
Industry UsageUsed in threat simulation, red teaming, and advanced security assessmentsUsed in vulnerability assessments and security audits

Adversary Emulation focuses on mimicking real-world attacker tactics to test defenses, while Penetration Testing identifies vulnerabilities by exploiting weaknesses. Both roles are essential for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies but differ in scope and approach.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Adversary Emulation, and why are they important?

To thrive in Adversary Emulation, you need deep knowledge of cybersecurity, attack methodologies, and penetration testing, often supported by degrees in computer science or related certifications such as OSCP or CISSP. Familiarity with tools like Cobalt Strike, Metasploit, and SIEM platforms is commonly required. Analytical thinking, creativity, and strong communication skills are essential to mimic real-world threats and report findings clearly. These skills are crucial for accurately simulating adversary tactics, identifying security gaps, and helping organizations strengthen their cyber defenses.

What are the typical challenges faced by professionals in Adversary Emulation roles?

Adversary Emulation specialists often encounter the challenge of staying ahead of rapidly evolving attack techniques and threat actor behaviors. They must continuously update their knowledge and adapt their methodologies to realistically mimic current adversaries, which requires ongoing research and collaboration with threat intelligence teams. Additionally, balancing the realism of simulated attacks with organizational risk tolerance and ensuring minimal disruption during assessments can be complex. Working closely with security operations, incident response, and IT teams is essential to maximize the value of each engagement and provide actionable insights for improving defenses.
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Adversary Emulation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Adversary Emulation job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,624 per year, or $58.5 per hour.
Principal Red Team Operator

Principal Red Team Operator

Verizon

Irving, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 17 days ago

Verizon rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 494 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 76 rated telecommunications companies

Job description

When you join Verizon
You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely - even if they're daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love - driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together - lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.
What you will be doing:
The Verizon Cyber Security (VCS) organization enables the business by protecting assets and information across Verizon networks, infrastructure and applications. VCS integrates cybersecurity governance, policies, technologies and operations across Verizon, and works to incorporate security into the design of technology systems and services.
Verizon Cyber Security (VCS) is looking for a Red Team Operator for our Enterprise Red Team. In this role, you will lead the creation and execution of red team campaigns and penetration tests designed to evaluate and enhance our personnel, procedures, and technology. You will conduct objective-oriented campaigns across diverse Verizon targets, identifying vulnerabilities in systems, applications, and processes to build effective, real-world attack strategies.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to emulate adversarial thinking, and possess a deep understanding of operating system security, networking protocols, firewalls, databases and middleware applications, forensics, scripting and programming, and phishing techniques. Additionally, the candidate will have the ability to communicate highly technical information to internal customers to align with VCS and broader Verizon objectives.
Responsibilities include:
  • Leading and executing end-to-end Red Team assessments, including adversary/threat simulation and emulation, social-engineering testing, and cybersecurity control bypass techniques.
  • Developing adversary emulation plans that align with MITRE ATT&CK by incorporating cyber threat intelligence.
  • Configuring and safely utilizing attacker tools, tactics, and procedures for Verizon environments
  • Developing presentations and reports that effectively communicate to both technical and executive audiences.
  • Assisting offensive security assessment operations in support of Red, Blue, and Purple Teams.
  • Planning and executing comprehensive penetration testing exercises, including vulnerability scanning, network reconnaissance, and exploitation of identified weaknesses.
  • Continuously enhancing the organization's security posture by sharing knowledge and expertise with other security team members.
  • Effectively communicating findings and strategies to client stakeholders, including technical staff, executive leadership, and legal counsel.
  • Providing risk-appropriate and pragmatic recommendations to correct found vulnerabilities.
  • Developing scripts, tools, or methodologies to enhance Verizon's red teaming and penetration testing processes and tradecraft.
  • Providing leadership and guidance to advance the offensive capabilities of the team and its subsequent ability to defend the Verizon Enterprise.

What we are looking for...
You need to have:
  • Bachelor's degree or four or more years of experience.
  • Six or more years of relevant required, demonstrated through one or a combination of job-related work experience, military experience, or specialized training or education (non-collegiate).
  • Six or more years of direct offensive security experience, specifically leading engagements in Adversary Emulation, Adversary Simulation, Threat Emulation or Threat Simulation.

Even better if you have one or more of the following:
  • Proven ability to modify TTPs to evade modern EDR/NDR/XDR solutions and bypass security controls like AMSI and ETW.
  • Deep knowledge of Operating System internals (Windows, Linux, macOS) including memory management, process injection, API hooking, and kernel-level structures.
  • Thorough understanding of network protocols, with the ability to design covert command-and-control channels that blend with legitimate traffic.
  • Expertise in Active Directory and Azure AD attacks, including advanced techniques like Kerberoasting, DCSync, Golden Ticket, and identity federation exploits.
  • Implementation-level familiarity with modern exploitation, including buffer overflows, heap spraying, ROP chains, and logic flaws.Advanced proficiency in reading and modifying code in languages such as C#, C/C++, Go, or Java for the purpose of exploit development and custom tooling.
  • Solid understanding of cloud-native environments, specifically containerization platforms (Docker, Kubernetes) and major cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • Advanced industry certifications such as OSEP, OSED, GXPN, CRTO, or OSCP/OSWE.
  • A track record of continuous evolution, demonstrated by participation in CTFs, contributions to open-source security tools, or speaking at industry conferences.
  • Fluency in Blue Team processes and technologies (SIEM logic, threat hunting, SOC triage) to better simulate realistic threats and provide actionable feedback.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in scripting and automation (Python, Bash, PowerShell) to develop custom offensive security tooling and bypass security controls.
  • A degree in a technical field.

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every "even better" qualification listed above.
Where you'll be working
In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes working from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office, which will be set by your manager. Employees are responsible for maintaining compliance with hybrid work policies.
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Equal Employment Opportunity
Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.
Benefits and Compensation
Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we've got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.
The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.
The annual salary range for the location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $120,500.00 - $231,000.00.

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