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Junior Penetration Testing Jobs in Riverside, CA

Mentor junior engineers and promote a culture of quality, security, and continuous learning ... Experience with performance, load, or penetration testing * Background in Agile/Scrum development ...

Mentor junior engineers and promote a culture of quality, security, and continuous learning ... Experience with performance, load, or penetration testing * Background in Agile/Scrum development ...

Junior Penetration Testing information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$34.9K

$74.9K

$114.2K

How much do junior penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior penetration testing in Riverside, CA is $74,906.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,600.00 and $83,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Junior Penetration Testing vs Security Analyst?

AspectJunior Penetration TestingSecurity Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH (entry-level)CompTIA Security+, CISSP (entry-level)
Work EnvironmentHands-on testing, simulated attacksMonitoring, incident response, policy development
Employer UsageCybersecurity firms, IT departmentsOrganizations, government agencies, corporations

Junior Penetration Testers focus on identifying vulnerabilities through simulated attacks, requiring technical certifications like OSCP or CEH. Security Analysts monitor security systems, analyze threats, and develop security policies, often holding certifications like Security+ or CISSP. While both roles are vital in cybersecurity, Junior Penetration Testers are more hands-on with testing, whereas Security Analysts focus on ongoing security monitoring and response.

What are some common challenges a Junior Penetration Tester might face during client engagements, and how can they overcome them?

Junior Penetration Testers often encounter challenges such as limited access to systems, incomplete documentation, or unclear testing scopes during client engagements. Communication is key—regularly clarifying objectives with clients and senior team members helps ensure the testing process stays on track. Additionally, adapting quickly to diverse IT environments and staying current with the latest security tools and techniques are essential. Seeking mentorship from experienced colleagues and leveraging collaborative team structures can greatly enhance learning and confidence in overcoming these hurdles.

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

To thrive as a Junior Penetration Tester, you need a solid understanding of networking, operating systems, cybersecurity fundamentals, and preferably a relevant degree or certification such as CompTIA Security+ or CEH. Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and Kali Linux is typically required to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication help you convey technical findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. These skills and qualifications are essential to effectively assess security risks and support organizations in strengthening their defenses against cyber threats.

What are Junior Penetration Testers?

Junior Penetration Testers are entry-level cybersecurity professionals who assist in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. They work under the guidance of experienced penetration testers to conduct security assessments, perform vulnerability scans, and document findings. Their main goal is to help organizations strengthen their security by simulating real-world attacks and providing recommendations for remediation. Junior Penetration Testers often use a variety of tools and follow industry best practices to ensure thorough testing. This role is crucial for organizations looking to protect sensitive data and maintain robust security defenses.
What are popular job titles related to Junior Penetration Testing jobs in Riverside, CA? For Junior Penetration Testing jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Junior Penetration Testing jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Penetration Testing jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Junior Penetration Testing jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Junior Penetration Testing job openings:
Infographic showing various Junior Penetration Testing job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 2% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,906 per year, or $36 per hour.

Senior Systems & Security Engineer

RAVE Aerospace LLC

Brea, CA • On-site

$112K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

The Senior Systems & Security Engineer performs system-level engineering work, in particular for
requirements definition and verification, system and sub-system design and analysis, use case definition, and interface design. The tasks cover all technical activities related to the SATCOM and In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) products of the company. So, deep technical knowledge and a willingness to learn is required, since the person is normally the natural reference, internally and towards external partners (customers and suppliers), for many technical questions. The preparation, maintenance, and control of the company’s technical documentation is also part of the person’s responsibilities.

Responsibilities

  • Translate customer needs into system, sub-system, and equipment requirements; create and maintain corresponding Use Cases and requirement documents
  • Perform high-level system and sub-system design, including design and verification of sub-system interfaces
  • Analyze and verify that designs meet requirements
  • Participate in creation and presentation of design reviews, internally and with customers
  • Manage technical projects and work packages, including in R&D projects as required
  • Mentor junior colleagues on company products and systems-engineering practices
  • Scout the market for relevant emerging technologies and initiate investigation for potential adoption into company products
  • Support aircraft and inflight-connectivity system security, including:
    • Designing and integrating embedded cybersecurity features across wired and wireless systems, on and off the aircraft, with security built in from initial design through deployment and ongoing maintenance
    • Writing security deliverables and managing OEM-mandated product security documentation to support certification and regulatory (airworthiness) compliance
    • Defining and applying security assurance processes
    • Performing threat modeling, vulnerability assessments/tracking, security risk assessments, and penetration testing on software, hardware, and networked aircraft systems
    • Assisting in system security architecture definition
    • Leading or supporting incident response (including CSIRT activities), monitoring for intrusions and emerging threats, investigating incidents, and optimizing security tooling
    • Preparing, planning, and documenting security test cases and scenarios
    • Responding to customer security-related requests
    • Collaborating with hardware, software (Android/Linux), and systems engineering teams, translating OEM and industry cybersecurity requirements into actionable engineering tasks
  • Continuously contribute to process improvement
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience in a related field
  • 6+ years of experience working as Systems Engineer
  • Working knowledge of at least one of the following security standards/guidelines
    (e.g. DO-326A/ED-202A series, ISO 27000, ARINC 811)
  • Proficiency in threat modeling and secure coding (C/C++ or Golang), with working knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and security tooling such as EDR, SIEM, and vulnerability management systems
  • Knowledge of penetration testing tools (e.g. Kali Linux, nmap, Burp Suite, vulnerability scanners
    (Nessus, OpenVAS)) is advantageous
    • Cybersecurity Requirements (DO-326A / DO-355)
    • Threat and risk assessment (TARA) for all external interfaces
    • Penetration testing per aircraft-level security plan
    • Intrusion detection on aircraft-side gateways
    • Certificate lifecycle management for ground-to-air TLS sessions
    • Logging and auditability of all software load events (your syslog is an example of this in practice)

Benefits

The starting pay range for this position is $112,000 to $127,000 per year however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the level of the position, skills, experience, job-related knowledge, and location.

In addition to a comprehensive package of health benefits that include company contributions, RAVE Aerospace offers a variety of additional benefits and perks to enhance your work-life balance experience including but not limited to:

  • A home allowance to elevate your home workspace
  • Discretionary bonus program
  • Future financial security with a 401(k) program with company match
  • Paid time off covering vacations, personal time off and sick days, capped off by an exciting year-end holiday shutdown
  • Embraced flexibility with our alternative work schedule (9/80) to navigate your workweeks with every other Friday off