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Ethical Penetration Testing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PingWind

Penetration Tester

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$85 - $110/hr

Follows established ethical hacking standards, testing methodologies, and reporting procedures to ... Holds or is working toward penetration testing and offensive security certifications appropriate ...

Goldbelt, Inc.

Senior Penetration Tester

$90K - $150K/yr

Possess a certification in penetration testing, such as: * Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) * Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT) * Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) * Global Information ...

Zelvin Security LLC

Be Seen First

Penetration Tester

Knoxville, TN · Remote

$120K - $145K/yr

At Zelvin, penetration testing is not about generating a list of vulnerabilities. Our testers think like attackers, follow the evidence, challenge assumptions, and determine which weaknesses create ...

Donato Technologies, Inc

Penetration Tester

Albany, NY · On-site

$60/hr

Experience in Penetration Testing/Ethical Hacking with a focus on Java application security. * Strong knowledge of Java programming and its security practices as well as scripting experience.

Amyx, Inc.

Sr. Penetration Tester

Possess a certification in penetration testing, such as: * Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) * Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT) * Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) * Global Information ...

Zelvin Security LLC

Be Seen First

Penetration Tester

Knoxville, TN · Remote

$120K - $145K/yr

At Zelvin, penetration testing is not about generating a list of vulnerabilities. Our testers think like attackers, follow the evidence, challenge assumptions, and determine which weaknesses create ...

ASRC Federal Holding

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$117K - $199K/yr

This role combines hands-on testing with leadership, mentoring, and collaboration across ... CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) * CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional ...

Bespoke Technologies, Inc.

$95 - $150/hr

Demonstrated experience leveraging adversarial tactics to conduct hands‑on security testing ... Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) * Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) * Global ...

Cymertek Corporation

Penetration Tester

Honolulu, HI · On-site

Required : • Proficiency in penetration testing tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, or Nessus • ... Ethical Hacking, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field • ...

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Ethical Penetration Testing information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do ethical penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for ethical 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 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.

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Cities with the most Ethical Penetration Testing job openings:

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Ethical Penetration Testing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ethical Penetration Testing job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing Specialist - Level III

RiVidium, Inc

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time
Description
The Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing Specialist - Level III serves as the senior technical expert responsible for planning, executing, and leading advanced penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, software assurance, and cyber supply chain risk management activities across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Intelligence Enterprise (DHS IE). This role performs comprehensive security assessments of enterprise networks, cloud environments, applications, operating systems, and Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) using industry-recognized methodologies and advanced manual testing techniques.
The specialist leverages frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, OWASP, NIST, and industry best practices to identify vulnerabilities that may not be detected by automated tools. The position also supports software assurance initiatives through secure code reviews, application security testing, and Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) activities to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of DHS IE systems.
Working closely with Security Operations Center (SOC) personnel, Cybersecurity Engineers, Information System Security Officers (ISSOs), Information System Security Managers (ISSMs), developers, and Government stakeholders, the Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing Specialist provides expert recommendations to reduce enterprise cyber risk while ensuring compliance with Federal, DHS, and Intelligence Community (IC) cybersecurity requirements.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead and conduct comprehensive penetration testing engagements for DHS Intelligence Enterprise systems, networks, applications, cloud environments, and infrastructure.
  • Perform penetration testing using industry-recognized methodologies, including:
    • MITRE ATT&CK Framework
    • OWASP Web Security Testing Guide
    • NIST penetration testing guidance
    • PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard)
  • Plan and execute all phases of penetration testing, including:
    • Pre-engagement planning
    • Rules of Engagement (ROE)
    • Threat intelligence gathering
    • Threat modeling
    • Vulnerability identification
    • Exploitation
    • Post-exploitation analysis
    • Reporting and remediation recommendations
  • Utilize advanced manual testing techniques to identify vulnerabilities that are not detectable through automated scanning tools.
  • Perform network, web application, wireless, cloud, and infrastructure penetration testing using ethical hacking techniques while ensuring no disruption to production environments.
  • Validate Security Operations Center (SOC) detection and incident response capabilities through controlled adversary emulation and red team testing.
  • Assess logging, monitoring, detection, and response mechanisms to identify gaps in defensive capabilities.
  • Perform software assurance reviews by conducting security and compliance testing of software requests and applications prior to deployment.
  • Review Software Assurance Request Forms and provide technical adjudication and security recommendations.
  • Conduct vulnerability assessments of enterprise systems and deliver comprehensive Security Assessment Reports (SARs) and Vulnerability Assessment Reports (VARs) within established service-level agreements.
  • Perform Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) and Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) assessments for software, hardware, and third-party technologies supporting DHS IE.
  • Conduct secure source code reviews using both automated and manual analysis techniques to identify software vulnerabilities and coding weaknesses.
  • Utilize static application security testing (SAST), dynamic application security testing (DAST), and software composition analysis (SCA) tools to evaluate software security.
  • Maintain the penetration testing toolkit, ensuring monthly software updates, quarterly configuration reviews, and compliance with approved security baselines.
  • Develop comprehensive penetration testing reports documenting:
    • Testing methodology
    • Attack paths
    • Exploited vulnerabilities
    • MITRE ATT&CK mappings
    • Risk ratings
    • Technical findings
    • Executive summaries
    • Remediation recommendations
  • Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) supporting penetration testing, software assurance, vulnerability assessment, and SCRM activities.
  • Collaborate with cybersecurity engineering, DevSecOps, cloud engineering, and system administration teams to remediate identified vulnerabilities.
  • Support cybersecurity audits, security assessments, authorization activities, and continuous monitoring initiatives.
  • Participate in cybersecurity working groups and provide technical guidance on emerging threats, offensive security techniques, and vulnerability management best practices.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.
  • Minimum 7-10 years of experience performing penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, software assurance, and offensive cybersecurity activities within Federal Government or Intelligence Community environments.
  • Current Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification.
  • Current Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
  • Expert knowledge of:
    • MITRE ATT&CK Framework
    • OWASP Testing Methodology
    • OWASP Top 10
    • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
    • Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES)
  • Demonstrated experience with penetration testing and vulnerability assessment tools such as:
    • Burp Suite Professional
    • Nessus / ACAS
    • Nmap
    • Metasploit Framework
    • Wireshark
    • Kali Linux
    • WebInspect
    • Nikto
    • Other industry-standard offensive security tools
  • Experience performing software assurance using:
    • SonarQube
    • GitLab Security
    • Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
    • Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)
    • Software Composition Analysis (SCA)
  • Minimum 2 years of experience in each of the following:
    • Software Assurance
    • Penetration Testing
    • Vulnerability Assessment
    • Patch Management
    • Secure Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Security Engineering
  • Experience performing secure code reviews and identifying application security vulnerabilities.
  • Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification.
  • GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) certification.
  • Experience conducting penetration testing of Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) and classified information systems.
  • Experience supporting DHS Intelligence & Analysis (I&A) or other Intelligence Community cybersecurity programs.
  • Familiarity with:
    • DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs)
    • Container security (Docker, Kubernetes)
    • Kubernetes security
    • Serverless application security
    • Secure DevSecOps pipelines
  • Experience supporting Cloud Service Provider (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) penetration testing and cloud-native security assessments.
  • Experience performing adversary emulation, purple team, or red team exercises.
  • Familiarity with NIST SP 800-161 Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) guidance.

Required Certifications
The following current certifications are required:
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Preferred certifications include:
  • Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
  • GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)

Clearance Requirement
Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Clearance Required
About the Organization
Established in 2008, RiVidium, Inc. (dba TripleCyber) is a VA-Verified SDVOSB and an SBA-Certified 8(a) company. To prepare our clients for the future, RiVidium has balanced all parts of our organization to attract the finest employees in order to 'Strive to be the missing element defining tomorrow's technology'. RiVidium keeps pace and surpasses its competitors by meeting challenges of advancements in Logistics, Human Capital, Cyber, Intelligence & Technology.
EOE Statement
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources (HR) at hr@rividium.com.
This position is currently accepting applications.

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