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Dod Penetration Testing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Peraton

Penetration Tester, Journeyman

Herndon, VA · On-site

$66K - $106K/yr

Prior DoD/ARNG CDAP, red/blue team, or persistent penetration testing experience. * Experience mapping findings to detection engineering and supporting SOC/IDS tuning for improved coverage. #ENOCS ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester, Senior

Herndon, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Offensive security, redteam, or penetration testing experience with at least 3 years leading complex, highimpact assessments in enterprise or DoD environments. * Expert proficiency in reconnaissance ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester, Senior

Herndon, VA

$86K - $138K/yr

Prior DoD/ARNG CDAP, red/blue team, or Persistent Penetration Testing mission experience. * Background in malware analysis or exploit development and experience integrating findings into detection ...

CACI International, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$173K/yr

In-depth understanding of OWASP Top 10, DoD, NSA, or industry-standard Vulnerability and Penetration Testing Standards * Expertise in exploitation techniques including buffer overflows, fuzzing, SQL ...

Navstar

Penetration Tester

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD · Hybrid

$173K/yr

In-depth understanding of OWASP Top 10, DoD, NSA, or industry-standard Vulnerability and Penetration Testing Standards * Expertise in exploitation techniques including buffer overflows, fuzzing, SQL ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester, Senior

Herndon, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Offensive security, red-team, or penetration testing experience with at least 3 years leading complex, high-impact assessments in enterprise or DoD environments. * Expert proficiency in ...

ZTI Solutions, LLC

Penetration Test Lead

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$180K - $210K/yr

Penetration Testing Lead Falls Church, Virginia. Full-time. Important Notice: This position is ... Advana provides DoD military and civilian decision makers with unprecedented access to enterprise ...

ZTI Solutions, LLC

Penetration Test Lead

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$180K - $210K/yr

Penetration Testing Lead Falls Church, Virginia. Full-time. Important Notice: This position is ... Advana provides DoD military and civilian decision makers with unprecedented access to enterprise ...

CACI International, Inc.

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$113K - $237K/yr

OWASP top 10, DoD and NSA Vulnerability and Penetration Testing Standards. * Knowledge of exploitation concepts including phishing and social engineering tactics, buffer overflows, fuzzing, SQLi ...

CACI International

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · Hybrid

$113K - $237K/yr

OWASP top 10, DoD and NSA Vulnerability and Penetration Testing Standards. Knowledge of exploitation concepts including phishing and social engineering tactics, buffer overflows, fuzzing, SQLi, MiTM ...

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Dod Penetration Testing information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do dod penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for dod penetration testing in the United States is $119,895.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,000.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Dod Penetration Testing vs Cybersecurity Analyst?

AspectDod Penetration TestingCybersecurity Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, CISSPCISSP, Security+, CEH
Work EnvironmentConducts simulated attacks on systems to identify vulnerabilitiesMonitors security systems, analyzes threats, and implements defenses
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in defense, government, and security firmsAcross various industries including finance, healthcare, and tech

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, Dod Penetration Testing specializes in offensive security by simulating attacks to find vulnerabilities, often within government or defense sectors. Cybersecurity Analysts focus on defending systems through monitoring and threat analysis across diverse industries. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right security roles based on their needs.

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

To thrive as a DoD Penetration Tester, you need a deep understanding of cybersecurity concepts, network protocols, and ethical hacking, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field and relevant security clearances. Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nessus, and certifications such as CEH, OSCP, or CISSP are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you identify vulnerabilities and clearly report findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders. These skills are crucial for protecting sensitive military systems and ensuring compliance with federal cybersecurity standards.

What are some common challenges faced by DoD Penetration Testers when working on classified networks?

DoD Penetration Testers often encounter challenges such as navigating strict security protocols, obtaining necessary clearances, and adhering to rigorous documentation requirements. Working on classified networks means testers must follow specific guidelines for handling sensitive information, which can limit the use of certain tools or techniques. Collaboration with other security professionals and stakeholders is essential, but communication must always comply with operational security standards. These factors make thorough preparation and adaptability key to success in the role.

What is DoD penetration testing?

DoD penetration testing refers to security assessments conducted for the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to identify and address vulnerabilities in their systems, networks, or applications. These tests simulate real-world cyberattacks to evaluate the effectiveness of security controls and ensure compliance with DoD cybersecurity standards, such as those outlined in the Risk Management Framework (RMF). The goal is to proactively discover and remediate weaknesses before they can be exploited by adversaries, helping to protect sensitive military information and maintain operational readiness.
Infographic showing various Dod Penetration Testing job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.
Penetration Tester, Journeyman

Penetration Tester, Journeyman

Peraton

Herndon, VA • On-site

$66K - $106K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Peraton rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 52 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 204 rated it services

Job description

Responsibilities
We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Penetration Tester to join our team in the greater DMV area, supporting the Army National Guard.
Responsibilities
  • Execute penetration testing activities per CDAP mission plans: reconnaissance, exploitation attempts, post-exploitation validation, and evidence collection.
  • Conduct network, host, and application assessments to identify attack paths, misconfigurations, and control weaknesses aligned with adversary threat models.
  • Support Network Assistance Visits and Persistent Penetration Testing events under senior guidance; perform validation tasks during Network Damage Assessments to check for compromise indicators.
  • Perform web application testing, phishing/social-engineering assessments, and document results to evaluate defensive effectiveness.
  • Collaborate with cybersecurity, SOC/CIRT, and operations teams to coordinate test schedules, deconflict activities, and support remediation and retesting.
  • Produce technical notes, evidence bundles, preliminary findings, and input for formal assessment reports and mission documentation.
  • Capture detection gaps and recommended mitigations; translate test observations into detection opportunities and follow-on validation tasks.
  • Maintain and validate penetration testing toolsets, repeatable test procedures, and workflow improvements for mission environments.

#ENOCS
Qualifications
Qualifications
  • 2 years with BS/BA; 0 years with MS/MA; 6 years with no degree
  • Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance.
  • Candidate must meet ONE of the following:
    • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or Software Engineering; OR
    • Relevant DoD/military training (if applicable); OR
    • Relevant professional certification or equivalent experience (examples: CSC, CSSLP, GCSA, GSEC, Security+).
  • Required experience and skills:
    • Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, red-team, or offensive security experience.
    • Practical skills in reconnaissance, exploitation, post-exploitation, web application testing (OWASP), social-engineering assessments, and evidence preservation.
    • Familiarity with common pentest tools and frameworks (Burp, Metasploit, Nmap, etc.), and ability to document reproducible findings and remediation steps.
    • Ability to coordinate safely in operational environments, follow rules of engagement, and hand off findings to defenders for remediation and retest.
    • Strong technical writing for producing evidence bundles, technical summaries, and actionable recommendations.
  • Desired:
    • Prior DoD/ARNG CDAP, red/blue team, or persistent penetration testing experience.
    • Experience mapping findings to detection engineering and supporting SOC/IDS tuning for improved coverage.

#ENOCS
Peraton Overview
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Target Salary Range
$66,000 - $106,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
EEO
EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017

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