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Entry Level Penetration Tester Jobs in Addison, TX

DR Horton, Inc.

Security Administrator

Arlington, TX · On-site

... the entry-level and first time move-up markets. The Company also provides mortgage financing and ... Design, plan, coordinate and execute the plan to perform and/or oversee penetration testing of all ...

All JobsPenetration Tester JobsEntry Level Penetration Tester JobsEntry Level Penetration Tester Jobs in Addison, TX

Entry Level Penetration Tester information

See Addison, TX salary details

$21.8K

$116.1K

$163.1K

How much do entry level penetration tester jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level penetration tester in Addison, TX is $116,065.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,900.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level penetration tester?

Entry level penetration testers are cybersecurity professionals who are responsible for identifying and evaluating security vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. They use a variety of tools and techniques to simulate cyberattacks, helping organizations strengthen their defenses. Typically, entry level penetration testers work under the guidance of more experienced team members and are involved in tasks such as vulnerability scanning, basic exploitation, and reporting findings. This role often serves as a starting point for a career in ethical hacking or cybersecurity consulting.

What does an entry level penetration tester do?

As an entry-level penetration tester, your job is to help a company test its network security by attempting to break into it. To accomplish this, you may assist with pre-designed penetration attempts, conduct a vulnerability scan to search for any obvious points of entry, and configure attack tools for the system you are targeting. You may also help troubleshoot security issues and otherwise develop your cyber intrusion skills. This is an entry-level role, so your primary job is studying penetration techniques and documenting your activities to help software designers understand how you breached the system and what they can do to repair it.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level penetration tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Penetration Tester, you need a solid understanding of networking, operating systems, and cybersecurity fundamentals, often backed by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap, as well as certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or CEH, is typically expected. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for identifying vulnerabilities, reporting findings clearly, and contributing to an organization's security posture.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level penetration testers during their first year on the job?

Entry-level penetration testers often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly evolving security tools and methodologies, learning to communicate technical findings in clear, actionable reports, and managing time effectively across multiple projects. Additionally, they may need to quickly become familiar with diverse IT environments and collaborate with experienced team members and clients to address vulnerabilities. Overcoming these challenges is a valuable part of the learning curve and helps build a strong foundation for future growth in cybersecurity.

What is the difference between Entry Level Penetration Tester vs Cybersecurity Analyst?

AspectEntry Level Penetration TesterCybersecurity Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)CompTIA Security+, CISSP (entry-level roles)
Work EnvironmentHands-on testing, simulated attacks, security assessmentsMonitoring, analyzing security systems, incident response
Industry UsageSecurity firms, IT departments, consultingCorporate, government, financial sectors

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, an Entry Level Penetration Tester primarily conducts simulated attacks to identify vulnerabilities, requiring certifications like CEH. A Cybersecurity Analyst monitors security systems and responds to threats, often with certifications like Security+ or CISSP. The roles differ in daily tasks but share foundational security knowledge and certifications.

More about Entry Level Penetration Tester jobs

What cities near Addison, TX are hiring for Entry Level Penetration Tester jobs?

Cities near Addison, TX with the most Entry Level Penetration Tester job openings:

Entry Level Penetration Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Penetration Tester job openings in Addison, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 7% Nights. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,065 per year, or $55.8 per hour.

Security Administrator

DR Horton, Inc.

Arlington, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

D.R. Horton rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

34th of 80 rated construction

Job description

D.R. Horton, Inc., the largest homebuilder in the U.S., was founded in 1978 and is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. It is engaged in the construction and sale of high quality homes designed principally for the entry-level and first time move-up markets. The Company also provides mortgage financing and title services for homebuyers through its mortgage and title subsidiaries. Please visit our website at www.drhorton.com for more information.
D.R. Horton, Inc. is currently looking for an Security Administrator. The right candidate will be responsible to deploy, manage and maintain access control, intrusion detection, virus protection, incident response, development and implementation of security polices and procedures. This position will work as part of a team of experienced System Administrators and Network Administrators.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Performs special projects and participates as a technical advisor for a variety of ad-hoc information security and logical user access projects that will be dictated by current business and technological developments
  • Design, plan, deploy, manage and maintain all security systems and their corresponding or associated software, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, cryptography systems, and anti-virus software
  • Design, plan, coordinate and execute the plan to perform and/or oversee penetration testing of all systems in order to identify system vulnerabilities
  • Design, plan, and execute the plan to implement and report on security system and end user activity audits
  • Monitor and investigate server logs, firewall logs, intrusion detection logs, and network traffic (wired & wireless) for unusual or suspicious activity, interpret and make recommendations for resolution
  • Design, plan and recommend, coordinate and apply fixes, security patches, disaster recovery procedures, and any other measures required in the event of a security breach
  • Design and develop PowerShell scripts to automate security tasks to assist with modification of computer systems or programs
  • Document all changes, testing, creation or modification of computer programs or systems.
  • Assess need for any security reconfigurations (minor or significant) and execute as required
  • Ability to travel overnight
  • Regular and reliable attendance
  • Download and test new security software and/or technologies
  • Provide security support to end-users
  • Work with application and functional teams to encourage a security mindset throughout product development processes from concept to testing and implementation
  • On-call security support as needed
  • Conducts all business in a professional and ethical manner to serve customers and increase the goodwill and profit of the company

Education and/or Experience
  • High School diploma or equivalent
  • Information Technology work experience
  • Knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, anti-virus software, data encryption, DLP, NAC, SIEM and other industry-standard techniques and practices
  • Technical knowledge of network, PC, and platform operating systems, including Windows 2008/2012/2016/2019, and Windows 8/10
  • Knowledge of identity management and security technologies including Active Directory, Group Policy, ADFS, and Authentication protocols including Kerberos
  • Knowledge of the TCP/IP suite of protocols including but not limited to ICMP, DHCP, DNS, HTTP(S), and FTP
  • Knowledge of managing and maintaining information related to SOX audits
  • Knowledge of applicable practices and laws relating to data privacy and protection
  • Highly self-motivated and directed
  • Strong organizational skills and excellent attention to detail
  • Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written oral form or via DRH applications
  • Proficiency with MS Office and email
  • Ability to sit for majority of 8-hour workday; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and peripheral vision
  • The noise level is generally moderate

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or related field is a plus
  • Change oriented; actively generates process improvements, confronts difficult circumstances
  • Demonstrated customer focus; builds strong relationships, creates processes with customer viewpoint and partner with customers to help shape future initiatives

Come join a winning team with a Fortune 500 company! We are growing fast and are looking for enthusiastic attitudes and team players to join our success. We offer an excellent benefits package including:
  • Medical, Vision and Dental
  • 401(K)
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Flex Spending Accounts
  • Life Insurance
  • Vacation, Sick, Personal Time and Company Holidays

Build YOUR future with D.R. Horton, America's Builder. #WeBuildPeople2
Follow us on social media @hortoncareers for an inside look at our company and connect with us on LinkedIn for up to date job listings!
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