Perplexity is seeking a highly skilled, experienced and hands-on Offensive Security Engineer to join our dynamic security team. The role involves planning and executing red team operations ...
Perplexity is seeking a highly skilled, experienced and hands-on Offensive Security Engineer to join our dynamic security team. The role involves planning and executing red team operations ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$108K - $148K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$108K - $148K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Dallas, TX · On-site
$113K - $155K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Dallas, TX · On-site
$113K - $155K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$125K - $171K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$125K - $171K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$118K - $161K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$118K - $161K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a Senior Offensive Security Engineer - Embedded Systems who will report to the Director of Software Engineering on the Software Engineering team. The successful ...
THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a Senior Offensive Security Engineer - Embedded Systems who will report to the Director of Software Engineering on the Software Engineering team. The successful ...
Offensive Security Analyst II at JM Family Enterprises is responsible for designing, building, and ... Provide developer-friendly remediation guidance, proof-of-concepts, and secure coding ...
Offensive Security Analyst II at JM Family Enterprises is responsible for designing, building, and ... Provide developer-friendly remediation guidance, proof-of-concepts, and secure coding ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$113K - $155K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$113K - $155K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$113K - $155K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$113K - $155K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$109K - $150K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$109K - $150K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Foresite is looking for a dedicated Offensive Security Engineer to manage and scale our proactive security services built on the Horizon3.ai NodeZero platform. In this role, you will lead the ...
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Foresite is looking for a dedicated Offensive Security Engineer to manage and scale our proactive security services built on the Horizon3.ai NodeZero platform. In this role, you will lead the ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$109K - $150K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$109K - $150K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$124K - $170K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$124K - $170K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Miami, FL · On-site
$109K - $150K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Miami, FL · On-site
$109K - $150K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Washington, DC · On-site
$129K - $177K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Washington, DC · On-site
$129K - $177K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$110K - $151K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$110K - $151K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Tampa, FL · On-site
$108K - $148K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Tampa, FL · On-site
$108K - $148K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$111K - $153K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$111K - $153K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Boston, MA · On-site
$124K - $170K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
Boston, MA · On-site
$124K - $170K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$111K - $153K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Senior Engineer, Offensive Security
$111K - $153K/yr
As Senior Offensive Security Engineer, AI-Driven Red Team & Tooling, you'll build the AI and agentic tooling that makes our offensive operations faster and broader, then prove it where it counts, on ...
Freelance Offensive Security Engineer information
See salary details
$23.52 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$14.90 - $25.57
31% of jobs
The median wage is $32.14 / hr.
$25.57 - $36.23
31% of jobs
$36.23 - $46.90
4% of jobs
$56.23 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$46.90 - $57.56
10% of jobs
$57.56 - $68.23
9% of jobs
$68.23 - $78.89
5% of jobs
$78.89 - $89.55
0% of jobs
$89.55 - $100.22
8% of jobs
$100.22 - $110.88
0% of jobs
$110.88 - $121.55
0% of jobs
$121.55 - $132.21
1% of jobs
$14
$47
$132
How much do freelance offensive security engineer jobs pay per hour?
As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance offensive security engineer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Offensive Security Engineer, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Freelance Offensive Security Engineer, you need deep expertise in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and cybersecurity best practices, often backed by certifications like OSCP or CEH. Familiarity with tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and scripting languages like Python is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, self-motivation, and effective client communication set standout professionals apart in this field. These competencies are crucial for identifying and mitigating security risks while maintaining client trust and delivering high-value security assessments.
What are some common challenges faced by Freelance Offensive Security Engineers when working with multiple clients?
Freelance Offensive Security Engineers often juggle multiple projects for different clients, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. Each client may have unique security requirements, varying network environments, and distinct expectations for deliverables. Additionally, staying updated on the latest vulnerabilities and attack techniques is crucial, as clients rely on your expertise for thorough assessments. Clear communication and diligent documentation are essential to ensure that findings and recommendations are understood and actionable for each client.
What are Freelance Offensive Security Engineers?
Freelance Offensive Security Engineers are independent cybersecurity professionals who specialize in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities within computer systems, networks, and applications. They are hired by organizations on a contract basis to conduct penetration testing, red teaming, and security assessments to help improve the organization's defenses. Unlike in-house employees, freelancers work for multiple clients and often bring a diverse range of experience from different industries. Their primary goal is to simulate real-world attacks and provide detailed reports with recommendations to enhance security posture.
What is the difference between Freelance Offensive Security Engineer vs Penetration Tester?
| Aspect | Freelance Offensive Security Engineer | Penetration Tester |
|---|---|---|
| Certifications | OSCP, CEH, OSWE | OSCP, CEH, GPEN |
| Work Environment | Project-based, remote or on-site, client-specific | Typically consulting, testing environments, often on-site or remote |
| Employer/Industry Usage | Freelance, cybersecurity firms, consulting | Security firms, internal security teams, consulting |
Freelance Offensive Security Engineers and Penetration Testers both focus on identifying security vulnerabilities. However, Freelance Offensive Security Engineers often work on broader offensive security projects, including red teaming and security architecture, while Penetration Testers primarily conduct targeted vulnerability assessments. The roles overlap but differ in scope and depth of engagement.
More about Freelance Offensive Security Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Offensive Security Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Offensive Security Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Offensive Security Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Offensive Security Engineer jobs are:
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What job categories do people searching Freelance Offensive Security Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Offensive Security Engineer jobs are:
Full-time
Re-posted yesterday
Job description
Job Summary:
Perplexity is seeking a highly skilled, experienced and hands-on Offensive Security Engineer to join our dynamic security team. The role involves planning and executing red team operations, penetration tests, and attack simulations to identify vulnerabilities in Perplexity's infrastructure, applications, and AI systems.
Responsibilities:
• Plan and execute red team and purple team engagements simulating advanced threat actors across cloud infrastructure (AWS, Kubernetes), endpoints, and application surfaces
• Conduct continuous penetration testing of web applications, APIs, mobile clients, browser extensions, cloud infrastructure, and internal services
• Assess AI/ML-specific attack surfaces including prompt injection, model exfiltration, agent abuse, tool-use exploitation, and MCP security boundaries
• Develop and maintain custom offensive tooling, exploits, and automation to improve the efficiency and coverage of security testing
• Perform open-scope adversary simulations that test detection and response capabilities end to end, collaborating closely with the defensive security team
• Drive threat modeling sessions with engineering teams to identify and prioritize attack vectors in new features and architectures
• Deliver clear, actionable findings to both technical and executive audiences; partner with engineering to validate remediations
• Contribute to the security of CI/CD pipelines, supply chain integrity, and secrets management through offensive assessment
• Stay current on emerging attack techniques, vulnerability research, and adversary tradecraft; bring external perspective into Perplexity's security strategy
Qualifications:
Required:
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in offensive security, red teaming, or penetration testing
• Deep technical expertise in at least two of: cloud security (AWS/GCP/Azure), web/API application security, Kubernetes and container security, macOS/Linux endpoint security, network penetration testing, or CI/CD pipeline security
• Track record of discovering impactful vulnerabilities or developing novel attack techniques in production environments
• Strong programming and scripting skills in Python, Go, or similar languages; comfortable writing custom tooling and exploits
• Experience with industry-standard offensive tools (Burp Suite, Cobalt Strike / Sliver / Mythic, Metasploit, BloodHound, nuclei, etc.) and ability to operate beyond them
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to translate complex technical findings into clear risk narratives
• Experience assessing AI/ML systems, LLM applications, or agentic workflows for security vulnerabilities
Preferred:
• Published security research
• Conference talks (DEF CON, Black Hat, BSides)
• CVE credits
• Meaningful bug bounty contributions
Company:
Perplexity is an AI-powered platform that retrieves, analyzes information from the web to deliver structured answers with cited sources. Founded in 2022, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 201-500 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.
Perplexity is seeking a highly skilled, experienced and hands-on Offensive Security Engineer to join our dynamic security team. The role involves planning and executing red team operations, penetration tests, and attack simulations to identify vulnerabilities in Perplexity's infrastructure, applications, and AI systems.
Responsibilities:
• Plan and execute red team and purple team engagements simulating advanced threat actors across cloud infrastructure (AWS, Kubernetes), endpoints, and application surfaces
• Conduct continuous penetration testing of web applications, APIs, mobile clients, browser extensions, cloud infrastructure, and internal services
• Assess AI/ML-specific attack surfaces including prompt injection, model exfiltration, agent abuse, tool-use exploitation, and MCP security boundaries
• Develop and maintain custom offensive tooling, exploits, and automation to improve the efficiency and coverage of security testing
• Perform open-scope adversary simulations that test detection and response capabilities end to end, collaborating closely with the defensive security team
• Drive threat modeling sessions with engineering teams to identify and prioritize attack vectors in new features and architectures
• Deliver clear, actionable findings to both technical and executive audiences; partner with engineering to validate remediations
• Contribute to the security of CI/CD pipelines, supply chain integrity, and secrets management through offensive assessment
• Stay current on emerging attack techniques, vulnerability research, and adversary tradecraft; bring external perspective into Perplexity's security strategy
Qualifications:
Required:
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in offensive security, red teaming, or penetration testing
• Deep technical expertise in at least two of: cloud security (AWS/GCP/Azure), web/API application security, Kubernetes and container security, macOS/Linux endpoint security, network penetration testing, or CI/CD pipeline security
• Track record of discovering impactful vulnerabilities or developing novel attack techniques in production environments
• Strong programming and scripting skills in Python, Go, or similar languages; comfortable writing custom tooling and exploits
• Experience with industry-standard offensive tools (Burp Suite, Cobalt Strike / Sliver / Mythic, Metasploit, BloodHound, nuclei, etc.) and ability to operate beyond them
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to translate complex technical findings into clear risk narratives
• Experience assessing AI/ML systems, LLM applications, or agentic workflows for security vulnerabilities
Preferred:
• Published security research
• Conference talks (DEF CON, Black Hat, BSides)
• CVE credits
• Meaningful bug bounty contributions
Company:
Perplexity is an AI-powered platform that retrieves, analyzes information from the web to deliver structured answers with cited sources. Founded in 2022, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 201-500 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.
About Perplexity AI
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Software development
Company size
11 - 50 Employees
Headquarters location
San Francisco, CA, US
Year founded
2022