1

Freelance Red Team Cyber Security Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Conduct vulnerability research, cyber security assessments, and social engineering campaigns as part of Red Team engagement. * Collaborate closely with Cyber Threat Intelligence to incorporate real ...

Conduct vulnerability research, cyber security assessments, and social engineering campaigns as part of Red Team engagement. * Collaborate closely with Cyber Threat Intelligence to incorporate real ...

Required : • 10+ years in cybersecurity roles • 5+ years conducting Red Teaming, Purple Teaming, Penetration Testing, or tool development • Hands-on experience in Red Team engagements across ...

Red Team Operator

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$155K - $180K/yr

The team is actively developing, testing, and maintaining advanced cybersecurity solutions to ... As part of this mission, our Red Team aggressively stress-tests defensive stacks, including the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Freelance Red Team Cyber Security information

See salary details

$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance red team cyber security jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance red team cyber security 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 is a freelance red team cyber security professional?

A freelance red team cyber security professional is an independent specialist hired by organizations to simulate real-world cyberattacks in order to test and improve their security measures. Unlike traditional, in-house security teams, freelancers work on a contract basis and often bring diverse experience from multiple industries. Red teamers use tactics, techniques, and procedures similar to those of actual attackers to identify vulnerabilities and help organizations strengthen their defenses. Their work helps businesses understand their security weaknesses and prepare effective responses to potential threats.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance red team cyber security professional?

To excel as a Freelance Red Team Cyber Security specialist, you need deep knowledge of penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and threat emulation, often supported by certifications like OSCP or CEH. Familiarity with tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap, as well as scripting languages like Python or Bash, is crucial for simulating real-world attacks. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and clear communication skills help you effectively collaborate with clients and deliver actionable reports. These competencies are vital to identify security gaps, enhance organizational defenses, and build trust with clients in a dynamic threat landscape.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance red team cyber security professionals, and how can they overcome them?

Freelance Red Teamers often encounter challenges such as managing multiple client expectations, keeping up with rapidly evolving attack techniques, and ensuring clear communication about findings and risks. Additionally, working independently can mean less access to shared resources or team support compared to in-house roles. To overcome these hurdles, freelancers should prioritize continuous learning, actively engage in professional communities, and establish structured reporting processes to clearly convey actionable insights to clients. Building a strong network and maintaining certifications can also help establish credibility and facilitate knowledge sharing.

What is the difference between Freelance Red Team Cyber Security vs Penetration Tester?

AspectFreelance Red Team Cyber SecurityPenetration Tester
CertificationsOSCP, OSCE, CISSPOSCP, CEH, GPEN
Work EnvironmentProject-based, remote or on-site, often for multiple clientsTypically in-house or consulting, focused on specific systems
Employer/Industry UsageFreelance, consulting firms, cybersecurity agenciesSecurity firms, internal security teams, consulting

Freelance Red Team Cyber Security professionals conduct simulated attacks to test defenses across various environments, often working independently for multiple clients. Penetration Testers focus on identifying vulnerabilities within specific systems, usually within a single organization or project. While both roles require similar certifications and technical skills, Red Team work emphasizes adversary simulation and strategic attack planning, whereas Penetration Testing centers on vulnerability assessment and reporting.

More about Freelance Red Team Cyber Security jobs

What cities are hiring for Freelance Red Team Cyber Security jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Red Team Cyber Security job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Red Team Cyber Security jobs?

The most popular types of Red Team Cyber Security jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Red Team Cyber Security jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Red Team Cyber Security jobs include:

Infographic showing various Freelance Red Team Cyber Security job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 hours ago


Job description

CompanyFederal Reserve Bank of RichmondWhen you join the Federal Reserve-the nation's central bank-you'll play a key role, collaborating with leading tech professionals to strengthen and protect our economic, financial and payments systems. We invest in contemporary and emerging technology each year to support the Federal Reserve and our economy, and we're building a dynamic team for our future.
Bring your passion and expertise, and we'll provide the opportunities that will challenge you and propel your growth-along with a wide range of benefits and perks that support your health, wealth, and life. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes tuition assistance, generous paid time off, top-notch health care benefits, child and family care leave, professional development opportunities, a 401(k) match, pension, and more. All brought together in a work environment where you can truly find balance.

About the Opportunity

The National Incident Response Team (NIRT), a national service provider for the Federal Reserve System (FRS), delivers national intrusion detection, incident response, security intelligence, threat assessment, and vulnerability assessment services for the FRS. NIRT's mission is to play a role in the FRS' efforts to protect its information systems against unauthorized use. NIRT's Adversary Emulation team has an immediate opening for a Senior or Lead Red Team Cybersecurity Specialist (based on experience) to join their red team as a necessary participant on a variety of engagements and projects that will target and evaluate the cyber security posture of people, processes, and technology within the FRS.

As a Senior Specialist (Senior Cybersecurity Advisor), you will report to the Sr. Manager and work on a team of security professionals focused on ensuring business line programs by performing security assessments against people, processes, and technologies by using automated tools and expertise of hands-on tools that simulate attacker tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). You will also perform assessments for our services, infrastructure, and applications to identify weaknesses before an attacker does. You will use a variety of tools and techniques respective to red teaming and social engineering and have the opportunity to combine your technical expertise with your imagination to discover methods for ensuring that the FRS remains one step ahead of its adversaries around the world.

This is a remote role but must be located within 2 hour commute to one of our district reserve bank locations for occasional in-office meetings.

Some of What You Will Do

  • Leverage your security expertise to covertly exploit vulnerabilities, misconfigurations and weaknesses in the system to improve security posture

  • Drive innovation by integrating AI-powered tools into red team workflows and develop attack scenarios to assess organizational resilience against AI related threats

  • Lead covert offensive security assessment activities across all stages of the cyber kill chain.

  • Drive and reflect a learning and practice culture, including developing junior talent and knowledge-sharing across the organization.

  • Improve operational efficiency by evaluating and building workflow processes, automation and tooling

  • Envision, propose, and implement cross-team initiatives for cybersecurity improvements for recognized gaps

  • Perform cybersecurity and Operator duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • 6+ years (Senior) of relevant information security related work experience in areas such as: computer network exploitation and post-exploitation

  • Subject matter expert of all phases of adversary emulation operations including attack planning, threat-modeling, reconnaissance, social engineering, exploitation, post-exploitation, covert techniques, lateral movement, attack infrastructure and data exfiltration

  • Subject matter expert of covert on-the-wire red team testing, malware/payload development, offensive security experience in cloud and on-prem environments, advanced c2 infrastructure and advanced active directory attacks

  • Team leader with a collaborative and consultative approach

  • Ability to tailor communication to various audiences ranging from technical subject matter expert partners to senior executive partners

  • Experience managing client relationships, including determining needs, managing expectations, and demonstrating quality results

  • Accomplished with scripting/programming such as Python, PowerShell, Go, or C# with the ability to create and customize tools

Discover the Reason Why So Many People Love It Here!

When you join Federal Reserve's National IT organization, not only will you find a challenging and purposeful career, you'll also have access to a wide range of benefits and perks that support your health and wealth, including:

  • Great medical benefits

  • Pension and 401(k) with employer match

  • Paid time off

  • Tuition reimbursement

  • Employee resource networks

  • Paid volunteer leave

  • Onsite amenities that make working here fun!

Other Requirements and Considerations:

  • Candidates should review the Bank's Code of Conduct to ensure compliance with conflict of interest rules and personal investment restrictions.

  • If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please notify rich.recruitment@rich.frb.org.

  • Sponsorship is not available for this role. The selected candidate will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. The ability to obtain and maintain a National Security Clearance (Secret or Top Secret) is required for this role. US Citizenship is required to be eligible for a National Security Clearance.

  • The Richmond hiring range for the Senior Red Team Cybersecurity Specialist (Senior Cybersecurity Advisor) is $130,100- $178,800 annually.

  • Salary offered will be based on the job responsibilities and the individual's knowledge, skills, and experience as defined in the job qualifications/experience.

  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by June 10, 2026.

  • Always verify and apply to jobs on Federal Reserve System Careers or through verified Federal Reserve Bank social media channels.

Full Time / Part TimeFull timeRegular / TemporaryRegularJob Exempt (Yes / No)YesJob CategoryInformation Technology Family GroupWork ShiftFirst (United States of America)

The Federal Reserve Banks are committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and job applicants in compliance with applicable law and to an environment where employees are valued for their differences.

Always verify and apply to jobs on Federal Reserve System Careers (https://rb.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/FRS) or through verified Federal Reserve Bank social media channels.

Privacy Notice