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Jr Penetration Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Peraton

Jr. Cyber Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$66K - $106K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is currently seeking a Jr Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of our Federal Strategic Cyber Group. Location: Rosslyn, VA. Situational Telework. Must be local to the job ...

Peraton

Jr Cyber Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA

$66K - $106K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is currently seeking a Jr Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of our Federal Strategic Cyber Group. Location: Rosslyn, VA. Situational Telework. Must be local to the job ...

Peraton

Jr Cyber Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$66K - $106K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is currently seeking a Jr Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of our Federal Strategic Cyber Group. Location: Rosslyn, VA. Situational Telework. Must be local to the job ...

Peraton

Jr Cyber Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA

$66K - $106K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is currently seeking a Jr Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of our Federal Strategic Cyber Group. Location: Rosslyn, VA. Situational Telework. Must be local to the job ...

Peraton

Jr Cyber Penetration Tester / Secret

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$66K - $106K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is currently seeking a Jr Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of our Federal Strategic Cyber Group. Location: Arlington, VA. Situational Telework. Must be local to the ...

Peraton

Jr. Cyber Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$66K - $106K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is currently seeking a Jr Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of our Federal Strategic Cyber Group. Location: Rosslyn, VA. Situational Telework. Must be local to the job ...

Peraton

Jr. Cyber Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

$66K - $106K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is currently seeking a Jr Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of our Federal Strategic Cyber Group. Location: Rosslyn, VA. Situational Telework. Must be local to the job ...

Leidos

Cyber Opportunities

Columbia, MD · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Penetration Tester * ICAM/Zero Trust Engineer * Vulnerability Researcher Test & Quality Engineering ... Hardware Technician (Jr/Mid) * Lifecycle Support Specialist (Mid/Sr) Intelligence & Mission-Focused ...

Leidos

Cyber Opportunities

Columbia, MD

$131K - $237K/yr

Penetration Tester * ICAM/Zero Trust Engineer * Vulnerability Researcher Test & Quality Engineering ... Hardware Technician (Jr/Mid) * Lifecycle Support Specialist (Mid/Sr) Intelligence & Mission-Focused ...

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Jr Penetration Tester information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do jr penetration tester jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for jr penetration tester 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 are some common challenges Jr Penetration Testers face when working on their first client engagements?

Jr Penetration Testers often encounter challenges such as adapting to client-specific security environments, managing time effectively during assessments, and clearly documenting findings for both technical and non-technical audiences. Additionally, balancing the need for thoroughness with project deadlines and learning to communicate potential vulnerabilities diplomatically can be demanding. These challenges are valuable learning opportunities that help new testers build technical expertise and professional communication skills, especially when working within a collaborative security team.

What is the difference between Jr Penetration Tester vs Security Analyst?

AspectJr Penetration TesterSecurity Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH (entry-level)CompTIA Security+, CISSP (entry-level)
Work EnvironmentHands-on testing, simulated attacksMonitoring, analyzing security events
Employer & Industry UsageCybersecurity firms, IT departmentsCorporate, government, finance sectors

Jr Penetration Testers focus on actively identifying vulnerabilities through simulated attacks, requiring technical certifications like OSCP or CEH. Security Analysts monitor and analyze security systems, often holding certifications like Security+ or CISSP. While both roles work within cybersecurity, Jr Penetration Testers are more hands-on with testing, whereas Security Analysts focus on defense and monitoring.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Jr Penetration Tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Jr Penetration Tester, you need a solid understanding of networking, cybersecurity principles, and vulnerability assessment, often backed by a relevant degree or certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CEH. Familiarity with tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and Kali Linux is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you identify and report security risks clearly. These skills and qualities are crucial for uncovering vulnerabilities and conveying risks to strengthen organizational security.

What is a Jr Penetration Tester?

Jr Penetration Testers are entry-level cybersecurity professionals who simulate cyberattacks on computer systems, networks, and applications to identify security vulnerabilities. They assist in evaluating the effectiveness of security measures and help organizations protect sensitive data from potential threats. Typically, they work under the supervision of more experienced penetration testers and are involved in tasks such as vulnerability scanning, reporting, and recommending remediation steps. The role is a starting point for a career in ethical hacking and cybersecurity.
More about Jr Penetration Tester jobs
What cities are hiring for Jr Penetration Tester jobs? Cities with the most Jr Penetration Tester job openings:
What states have the most Jr Penetration Tester jobs? States with the most job openings for Jr Penetration Tester jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Jr Penetration Tester jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Jr Penetration Tester jobs are:
Jr Penetration Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Jr Penetration Tester job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Jr. Cyber Penetration Tester

Peraton

Arlington, VA • On-site, Remote

$66K - $106K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Peraton rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 221 rated it services

Job description

Responsibilities
Peraton is currently seeking a Jr Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of our Federal Strategic Cyber Group.
Location: Rosslyn, VA. Situational Telework. Must be local to the job site.
This Federal Strategic Cyber program encompasses technical, engineering, data analytics, cyber security, management, operational, logistical and administrative support to aid and advise the Cyber & Technology Security (CTS) Directorate. This includes protecting a global cyber infrastructure comprising networks, systems, information, and mobile devices all while identifying and responding to cyber risks and threats.
In this role, you will:
  • Support the Penetration Testing (Red Cell) Team.
  • Assess the current state of the customer's system security by identifying all vulnerabilities and security measures.
  • Help customer perform analysis and mitigation of security vulnerabilities.
  • Perform and report on penetration testing of systems, including cloud, to satisfy the NIST 800-53 CA-8 security control and using methodologies that may include, NIST SP 800-115, Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), and Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF).
  • Stay abreast of current attack vectors and unique methods for exploitation of computer networks.
  • Provide support to incident response teams through capability enhancement and reporting.
  • Assist in maintaining Red Cell infrastructure.
  • Develop or modify tools that automate discovery or exploitation (e.g. bash, Python, JavaScript, PowerShell).

Join Our Mission:
At Peraton, you'll be part of a team that's making a real difference. We are committed to creating solutions that empower the U.S. Intelligence Community and our national defense partners to succeed in their mission to protect America. We offer a culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, with opportunities for career growth in one of the most dynamic fields in the industry.
If you're ready to be challenged, make an impact, and grow your career while supporting the nation's defense, apply today!
#DSCM
Qualifications
Required:
  • Bachelor's degree and 1 year of related experience or additional 4 years may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
  • Basic understanding of networking and security principles.
  • Experience with evaluating system security configurations.
  • Understand common Web Application vulnerabilities like SQLi, XSS, CSRF, and HTTP Flooding.
  • Experience with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, etc.
  • Fundamentals of network routing & switching and assessing network device configurations.
  • Familiarity in evaluating findings and performing root cause analysis.
  • Demonstrated ability to work alone and/or within a small group.
  • Must possess (or have the ability to obtain) and maintain ONE of the listed certifications below:
    • CCNA Cyber Ops, CCNA-Security, CEH, CFR, Cloud+, CySA+, GCIA, GCIH, GICSP, or SCYBER
  • U.S. citizenship required.
  • Ability to obtain Secret clearance

Preferred:
  • Active Top Secret or TS/SCI.

Peraton Overview
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Target Salary Range
$66,000 - $106,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
EEO
EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017

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