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

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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 Sep 5, 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 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.

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 are popular job titles related to Ethical Penetration Testing jobs in Reston, VA?

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

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Ethical Penetration Testing jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Ethical Penetration Testing job openings:

Penetration Testing, Software Assurance and Vulnerability Assessment Engineer

One Federal Solution

Washington, DC • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

One Federal Solution is seeking a highly skilled cybersecurity professional to provide senior-level penetration testing, software assurance, and vulnerability assessment engineering support. The successful candidate will conduct comprehensive security assessments using industry-standard automated tools, identify and analyze vulnerabilities, and develop actionable remediation recommendations. Responsibilities include supporting vulnerability management, security patching, secure cloud and hybrid environment engineering, and Cross Domain Solution (CDS) activities.

Senior Penetration Testing, Software Assurance and Vulnerability Assessment Engineer Task and Duties:

  • Provide senior-level penetration testing, software assurance, and vulnerability assessment engineering support.
  • Conduct software assurance activities and penetration testing using a range of automated tools.
  • Support vulnerability assessment, security patch management, secure cloud/hybrid engineering, and CDS activities.
  • Identify, analyze, document, and communicate vulnerabilities and remediation recommendations.
  • Support secure engineering practices across cloud, hybrid, and software environments.

Senior Penetration Testing, Software Assurance and Vulnerability Assessment Engineer Qualifications:

  • Minimum 10 years of total related experience.
  • Minimum 2 years of recent experience in each of the following technical areas: software assurance, penetration testing with a range of automated tools, vulnerability assessment, security patch management, secure cloud/hybrid engineering, and CDS.
  • Mandatory Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and CISSP certifications, or comparable demonstrable experience.
  • Experience supporting vulnerability identification, assessment, remediation tracking, and secure engineering activities.
About One Federal Solution

One Federal Solution (OFS) is an innovative Professional Services provider with over 20 years of experience supporting Defense and Civilian agencies. OFS specializes in Business Intelligence, Acquisition and Procurement, and other Professional Services. We are pioneers, builders, thought leaders, and pride ourselves on thinking outside the box to co-create with our customers, helping them achieve exceptional enterprise-wide outcomes. As a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), OFS is committed to providing high-performance professionals who deliver excellence to our government partners.