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Api Penetration Testing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Demonstrated experience with web application and API penetration testing, including identifying and exploiting attack chains across complex application logic, authentication, and authorization flows.

Demonstrated experience with web application and API penetration testing, including identifying and exploiting attack chains across complex application logic, authentication, and authorization flows.

... on penetration testing and online application security Worked extensively on Web & Mobile ... API Security, Web Services, cloud infrastructure. Worked on SAST and DAST Tools for Web and Mobile ...

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$130K - $145K/yr

Dark Wolf is actively seeking an experienced Penetration Tester to join our innovative team. This ... Top Ten vulnerabilities and API security testing. * Performing manual verification of ...

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$130K - $145K/yr

Dark Wolf is actively seeking an experienced Penetration Tester to join our innovative team. This ... Top Ten vulnerabilities and API security testing. * Performing manual verification of ...

Manual Penetration Tester Experienced Manual Penetration Tester to conduct in-depth security ... API security risks). * Proven ability to perform manual testing beyond automated scanning.

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$130K - $145K/yr

Penetration Tester Washington DC Metro Area Dark Wolf is actively seeking an experienced ... Top Ten vulnerabilities and API security testing. * Performing manual verification of ...

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · Hybrid

$130K - $145K/yr

Dark Wolf is actively seeking an experienced Penetration Tester to join our innovative team. This ... Top Ten vulnerabilities and API security testing. * Performing manual verification of ...

Penetration Tester / Vulnerability Assessment Engineer LOCATION: Remote or Hoboken, NJ (REMOTE ... Experience with application security and API security testing * Knowledge of OWASP Top 10 and ...

Execute web application, API and mobile penetration tests with a focus on manual testing beyond automated scanning - business logic, authentication abuse, authorization flaws, and injection chains

IoT Product Penetration Testing Onsite Anywhere Across the USA 6+ Months * Perform OSINT against ... Familiar with WebApp API testing * Familiar with ZigBee wireless communications and attacks

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Api Penetration Testing information

See salary details

$11K

$109.6K

$183.5K

How much do api penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for api penetration testing in the United States is $109,565.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an API Penetration Tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as an API Penetration Tester, you need a deep understanding of web application security, networking protocols, and common API vulnerabilities, often supported by cybersecurity certifications like OSCP or CEH. Familiarity with tools such as Burp Suite, Postman, OWASP ZAP, and scripting languages like Python is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help testers identify, document, and explain vulnerabilities to stakeholders. These skills are crucial for safeguarding applications, ensuring regulatory compliance, and helping organizations mitigate security risks.

What are some common challenges faced by API penetration testers during an engagement?

API penetration testers often encounter challenges such as incomplete or outdated documentation, which can make it difficult to understand the full functionality and endpoints of an API. Additionally, handling complex authentication mechanisms or rate-limiting controls can require creative approaches to thoroughly test for vulnerabilities. Collaboration with development teams is crucial to clarify uncertainties and gain necessary access, while maintaining accurate and detailed reporting is essential for communicating findings back to stakeholders effectively.

What is API penetration testing?

API penetration testing is a security assessment process that focuses on evaluating the security of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Testers simulate real-world cyberattacks on APIs to identify vulnerabilities such as broken authentication, improper access controls, data exposure, and injection flaws. The goal is to uncover weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them, ensuring that APIs are robust and secure. It typically involves both automated tools and manual testing techniques to thoroughly assess the API's security posture.

What is the difference between Api Penetration Testing vs API Security Analyst?

AspectApi Penetration TestingAPI Security Analyst
Primary FocusIdentifying vulnerabilities in APIs through simulated attacksMonitoring, analyzing, and improving API security measures
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENCISSP, GIAC Security Essentials
Work EnvironmentSecurity testing teams, cybersecurity firmsIT security departments, development teams
Industry UsageCybersecurity, software developmentEnterprise security, API management

Api Penetration Testing focuses on actively discovering vulnerabilities by simulating attacks on APIs, while API Security Analysts monitor and enhance API security protocols. Both roles require cybersecurity certifications and are vital in protecting API infrastructure, but they differ in approach: testing versus ongoing security management.

Infographic showing various Api Penetration Testing job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 33% In-person, and 67% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,565 per year, or $52.7 per hour.
Senior Penetration Tester

Senior Penetration Tester

CoStar

Arlington, VA

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


CoStar Group rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 153 rated real estate companies


Job description

Senior Penetration Tester
Job Description
Overview CoStar Group (NASDAQ: CSGP) is a leading global provider of commercial and residential real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces. Included in the S&P 500 Index and the NASDAQ 100, CoStar Group is on a mission to digitize the world's real estate, empowering all people to discover properties, insights and connections that improve their businesses and lives. We have been living and breathing the world of real estate information and online marketplaces for over 35 years. This extensive experience gives us the perspective to create truly unique and valuable offerings to our customers. We've continually refined, transformed, and perfected our approach to our business. Creating a language that has become standard in our industry, for our customers, and even our competitors. We continue that effort today and are always working to improve and drive innovation. This is how we deliver for our customers, our employees, and investors. By equipping the brightest minds with the best resources available, we provide an invaluable edge in real estate. Evolve our security pentesting capabilities to test our internal and external facing processes, infrastructure, and applications. This position will be tasked with developing test plans to validate identified vulnerabilities and demonstrate the exploitation of the vulnerabilities. The ability to explain the exploit to senior level management is key to success in this role. Stay current with trends, techniques, and tools used by adversaries. This position is located in Arlington, VA and is in office Monday through Thursday with work from home on Friday. Responsibilities Lead penetration tests on web applications and underlying infrastructure for vulnerabilities using both manual and automated techniques. Develop test plans that validate identified vulnerabilities and demonstrate exploitability to engineering teams, security peers, and senior leadership. Collaborate with detection engineering and incident response on purple team exercises, validating that preventative and detective controls behave as expected against realistic adversary techniques. Grow the team's pentesting capabilities in infrastructure and cloud-native domains, including CI/CD pipelines, Active Directory, AWS, and Kubernetes. Recommend remediations that address root causes, including code changes, architectural improvements, and control adjustments. Stay current with attacker tradecraft. Share knowledge with the broader security team and mentor engineers on offensive techniques and how to think like an attacker. Basic Qualifications Bachelor's Degree required from an accredited, not for profit, in person university or college (preferably in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field). A track record of commitment to prior employers. 6 years of total experience in a technical role such as security, software development, or systems engineering, with at least 3 years focused on penetration testing or offensive security. Demonstrated experience with web application and API penetration testing, including identifying and exploiting attack chains across complex application logic, authentication, and authorization flows. Experience writing reports that clearly demonstrate vulnerability risk, business impact, and remediation paths to developers and senior leadership. Ability to perform secure code review and identify vulnerabilities in source code, including authentication, authorization, injection, and business logic flaws. Scripting and programming proficiency in Python, PowerShell, or similar, with the ability to read and understand application code in languages like C#, Java, JavaScript, or Go. Understanding of defense-in-depth principles and ability to recommend layered mitigations beyond fixing individual findings. Security certifications such as OSCP, OSWE, OSEP, GPEN, GXPN, or similar. Preferred Qualifications and Skills In-depth experience with offensive security tools such as Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Nmap, Bloodhound, and Metasploit. Familiarity with Active Directory exploitation tools and techniques. Familiarity with C2 frameworks such as Cobalt Strike, Sliver, or Mythic. Experience planning and executing red team and purple team scenarios. Experience with adversary emulation methodologies and frameworks (MITRE ATT&CK). Experience testing modern applications in cloud-native tech stacks. Experience with mobile application penetration testing. Familiarity with AI and LLM security testing, including prompt injection, indirect prompt injection, agentic system risks, and MCP server assessment. Hands-on experience implementing security tools into CI/CD pipelines. Working knowledge of network, system, and database administration concepts as they relate to attack surface analysis. Strong communication skills with both technical teams and senior leadership, particularly translating technical exploits into business risk. Experience coordinating with application teams to drive security by design principles. Ability to mentor and train team members on offensive techniques and risk prioritization. A self-starter who follows ideas through to completion and drives offensive security work forward independently. What's in it for You When you join CoStar Group, you'll experience a collaborative and innovative culture working alongside the best and brightest to empower our people and customers to succeed. We offer you generous compensation and performance-based incentives. CoStar Group also invests in your professional and academic growth with internal training, and tuition reimbursement. Our benefits package includes (but is not limited to): Comprehensive healthcare coverage: Medical / Vision / Dental / Prescription Drug Life, legal, and supplementary insurance Virtual and in person mental health counseling services for individuals and family Commuter and parking benefits 401(K) retirement plan with matching contributions Employee stock purchase plan Paid time off Tuition reimbursement On-site fitness center and/or reimbursed fitness center membership costs (location dependent), with yoga studio, Pelotons, personal training, group exercise classes Access to CoStar Group's Employee Resource Groups Complimentary gourmet coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fresh fruit, and other healthy snacks We welcome all qualified candidates who are currently eligible to work full-time in the United States to apply. However, please note that CoStar Group cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position. #LI-KW1
CoStar Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer; we maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing