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Ethical Penetration Testing Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

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Cyber Security Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$180 - $195/hr

Conduct hands‑on penetration testing and ethical hacking to target, assess, and exploit risks and vulnerabilities of information systems. * Perform comprehensive analyses of identified ...

NextGenEnergyJobs

Cyber Security Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Conduct hands-on penetration testing and ethical hacking to target, assess, and exploit risks and vulnerabilities of information systems. * Perform comprehensive analyses of identified ...

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All JobsEthical Penetration Testing JobsEthical Penetration Testing Jobs in Reston, VA

Ethical Penetration Testing information

See Reston, VA salary details

$23.4K

$124.7K

$175.3K

How much do ethical penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for ethical penetration testing in Reston, VA is $124,733.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,900.00 and $146,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by ethical penetration testers during client engagements?

Ethical penetration testers often encounter challenges such as limited timeframes to conduct thorough assessments, incomplete or ambiguous scope definitions from clients, and the need to balance effective testing with minimal disruption to live systems. Communication is key—testers must clearly report findings and collaborate with IT teams to remediate vulnerabilities. Additionally, staying current with emerging threats and tools is essential to deliver valuable insights and maintain industry standards.

What is the difference between Ethical Penetration Testing vs Vulnerability Analyst?

AspectEthical Penetration TestingVulnerability Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH
Work EnvironmentSimulated attacks on systems to identify security gapsAnalyzing vulnerabilities and assessing risk levels
Industry UsageSecurity firms, IT departments, consultingSecurity teams, risk management, compliance

Ethical Penetration Testers actively simulate cyberattacks to find exploitable weaknesses, while Vulnerability Analysts focus on identifying and prioritizing security flaws through assessments. Both roles require similar certifications and often work within the same industry sectors, but their core activities differ: testing versus analysis.

What is ethical penetration testing?

Ethical penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, is the practice of simulating cyberattacks on a computer system, network, or application with the permission of its owner. The goal is to identify security vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. Ethical penetration testers use the same tools and techniques as cybercriminals but report findings so they can be fixed, helping organizations strengthen their security. This process is a critical part of a comprehensive cybersecurity program and helps ensure compliance with industry regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an ethical penetration tester?

To thrive as an Ethical Penetration Tester, you need strong knowledge of network security, operating systems, and common vulnerabilities, typically backed by a degree in computer science or cybersecurity and relevant certifications like CEH or OSCP. Familiarity with tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap is essential for simulating and assessing security threats. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are key soft skills for identifying risks and clearly reporting findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders. These competencies ensure that security assessments are thorough, actionable, and help organizations strengthen their defenses against real-world cyber threats.

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For Ethical Penetration Testing jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Ethical Penetration Testing jobs near you

Senior Penetration Testing, Software Assurance and Vulnerability with Security Clearance

Def-Logix, Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Location: Washington, DC (On-site) We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Penetration Testing, Software Assurance, and Vulnerability Assessment Engineer to provide technical expertise in penetration testing, software assurance, vulnerability assessment, and cybersecurity engineering. The successful candidate will support the identification, assessment, and mitigation of security vulnerabilities across enterprise, cloud, hybrid, and cross-domain environments while ensuring alignment with Federal cybersecurity requirements and best practices. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience performing penetration testing using automated tools, supporting secure engineering initiatives, and strengthening the overall cybersecurity posture of mission-critical systems. Key Responsibilities
Perform penetration testing using a range of automated tools to identify and validate security vulnerabilities.
Conduct software assurance activities to evaluate and improve application security.
Perform vulnerability assessments and recommend appropriate remediation strategies.
Support security patch management activities to reduce cybersecurity risk.
Provide cybersecurity engineering support for secure cloud and hybrid environments.
Support cybersecurity activities involving Cross Domain Solutions (CDS).
Develop technical findings, risk assessments, and remediation recommendations.
Collaborate with Government stakeholders and technical teams to improve system security and resilience.
Support the implementation of cybersecurity best practices across enterprise environments. Minimum Qualifications
Minimum 10 years of demonstrated cybersecurity experience.
At least 2 years of recent experience in each of the following areas:
Software assurance
Penetration testing using a range of automated tools
Vulnerability assessment
Security patch management
Secure cloud and hybrid engineering
Cross Domain Solutions (CDS)
Demonstrated experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
One of the following qualification paths:
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certifications, in good standing; or
Comparable demonstrable experience. Preferred Qualifications
Current or prior experience supporting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Demonstrated experience working within DHS organizations or supporting DHS penetration testing, software assurance, and vulnerability assessment initiatives is highly preferred.

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