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Ethical Hacker Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

CYNET SYSTEMS

Mid-Level Cybersecurity Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$68/hr

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Upon Hire Required. * Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Upon Hire Required. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in the Washington, DC metro area, Cynet Systems ...

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

The ideal candidate is passionate about ethical hacking, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to contribute to protecting critical assets through innovative security testing techniques.

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Reston, VA · On-site

The ideal candidate is passionate about ethical hacking, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to contribute to protecting critical assets through innovative security testing techniques.

Cymertek

Penetration Tester

Tysons, VA · On-site

The ideal candidate is passionate about ethical hacking, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to contribute to protecting critical assets through innovative security testing techniques.

VTG

Senior Systems Engineer

Fredericksburg, VA · On-site

$120K - $190K/yr

CISSP certification and training as a certified ethical hacker, as well as, strong experience troubleshooting networks utilizing wireshark or other packet analyzer tools. * Proficiency in configuring ...

Medium

Cyber Security Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$180 - $195/hr

In this role, you will act as an ethical hacker to target, assess, and exploit vulnerabilities of information systems, providing senior decision-makers with the actionable data necessary for ...

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Ethical Hacker information

See Virginia salary details

$98.7K

$131.6K

$157.6K

How much do ethical hacker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for ethical hacker in Virginia is $131,554.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,511.00 and $137,613.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an ethical hacker, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Ethical Hacker, you need strong knowledge of networking, operating systems, vulnerability assessment, and security protocols, often backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with penetration testing tools like Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark, and certifications such as CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or OSCP are typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and strong communication are vital soft skills for identifying vulnerabilities and reporting findings effectively. These skills ensure organizations can proactively defend against cyber threats and maintain robust information security.

What is the difference between Ethical Hacker vs Penetration Tester?

AspectEthical HackerPenetration Tester
CertificationsCEH, OSCP, CISSPOSCP, CEH, GPEN
Work EnvironmentOften part of security teams, proactive testingFocused on simulated attacks, testing security
Employer & Industry UsageBusinesses, cybersecurity firms, government agenciesSecurity consulting firms, internal security teams

Both Ethical Hackers and Penetration Testers assess security vulnerabilities, often holding similar certifications and working in comparable environments. Ethical Hackers typically have a broader role, including proactive security measures, while Penetration Testers focus specifically on simulated attacks to identify weaknesses. The terms are often used interchangeably, but Ethical Hacker emphasizes a proactive security mindset, whereas Penetration Tester emphasizes the testing process.

What are the most common challenges ethical hackers face when working with organizations?

Ethical hackers often encounter challenges such as navigating limited access to critical systems, working with incomplete or outdated documentation, and ensuring that their activities do not disrupt business operations. Communication is key, as they must clearly explain vulnerabilities and recommendations to non-technical stakeholders. Additionally, ethical hackers must stay current with evolving security threats and tools, which requires continuous learning and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

What does an ethical hacker do?

The job duties of an ethical hacker involve testing the security of a computer system or server. In this career, you may also have the job title of penetration tester. Your responsibilities include attempting to hack a system, website, or network to assess the vulnerability. You then make a report or give suggestions based on the outcome of your tests. You may perform research on the site or network before your hacks to find potential cyber vulnerabilities. As an ethical hacker, you must continuously research hacking to keep up with the latest techniques.

More about Ethical Hacker jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Ethical Hacker jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Ethical Hacker jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Ethical Hacker jobs in Virginia? For Ethical Hacker jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Ethical Hacker jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Ethical Hacker jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Ethical Hacker jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Ethical Hacker job openings:
Ethical Hacker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ethical Hacker job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $131,554 per year, or $63.2 per hour.

Security Software Engineer - Red Team Penetra with Security Clearance

Imagine One Technology & Management Ltd

Arlington, VA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

This position requires U.S. citizenship and an active U.S. DoD clearance . Candidates who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible for this role. Imagine One Technology & Management, Ltd. is seeking one (1) Security Software Engineer. This position is contingent upon award of the associated work and will be performed in Dahlgren, Virginia. The Security Software Engineer will be expected to: * Debug and reverse engineer software. * Analyze Windows Events and Linux syslog's, boot logs and dmesg logs. * Program and debug Web 2.0, Java, Perl, Ada, C++, Tool Command Language (tcl/tk) scripts and graphical user interfaces (GUis) using Microsoft Visual tel and Rational ClearCase for software configuration management. * Recommend software modifications to systems to mitigate known vulnerabilities. * Operate and administrate computer systems running HP-UX, UNIX, Solaris, Linux and Microsoft Windows. * Identify security flaws in compiled and human readable source code. * Understand code utilizing real-time VxWorks and Lynx OS operating systems, Common Object Resource Broker Architecture (CORBA), firewalls and networking protocols. * Understand how to implement NSA approved encryption technologies and devices. * Apply DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs).
* Apply virtual hosting and server technology in system architectures. * Understand and apply the concept of deceptive technology such as honey pots in system architectures. * Participate in Code Reviews. Perform Static Source Code Analysis. Author recommendations for improving software and code design. * Contribute to a System Security Administrator and Operators Manual (SSAOM). Desired Experience: * Five (5) years of experience in software engineering applied to program development; modeling and simulation applied to DoD or Information Technology systems.
* Five (5) Years experience in: * Linux - firm grasp/demonstrated knowledge
* Associated Training: COMPTIA Linux+ or FedVTE Linux+ * Five (5) Years experience in: * Windows - foundational knowledge with good understanding of enterprise networks
* Associated Training: Microsoft course (MCSA; Various) * Strong working knowledge of common Penetration Testing (PENTEST) tools: * Kali, Metasploit, NMAP, Cobalt Strike * Associated Training: Certified Ethical Hacker or Offensive Security Certified Professional and;
* Documented experience in at least one of the following: * Penetration Testing (PENTEST) (government or contractor)
* Red Team Operations (government or contractor)
* Tool/Software Development (exploits/malware, C2, reverse engineering, bug bounties)
* Python, C, C Sharp, C++, Go, Perl, Powershell
* Web Dev/Web App Dev/Web Penetration testing * PHP, ASP, SQL db's, Java, HTML, No SQL [VW1] Educational Requirements: * Minimum certification as IAT Level II per DoD 8570.01, or successor.
* Minimum certification as penetration tester and possess one of the following certificates: * Offensive Security Certs: Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE), Offensive Security Exploitation Expert (OSEE), Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP)
* SANS Certs: SEC560 - Network Penetration testing and Ethical Hacking (GPEN Certification), SEC542 - Web App Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking (GWAPT Certification), SEC660 - Advance Penetration Testing. Exploit Writing, and Ethical Hacking (GXPN Certification), SEC642 - Advanced Web App Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking, SEC564 - Red Team Operations and Threat Emulation
* OSD Sponsored Cyber Operation Academy Course (COAC) graduates. * Bachelor's degree desired Security Requirements: * Active DoD Top Secret clearance required Imagine One Technology & Management, Ltd., offers a full package of benefits and competitive salary, excellent group medical, vision, and dental programs. 401K savings plan; $4K annual tuition reimbursement ($5K if pursuing master's degree); employee training, development, and education programs; profit sharing; advancement opportunities; and much more! ISO 9001:2015, ISO 20000-1:2018, ISO 27001:2013 CMMI Development and Services - Maturity Level 3 An Employee-Owned Business EEO/Veterans/Disabled

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