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Lead Penetration Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ASRC Federal Holding

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$117K - $199K/yr

Lead and perform advanced security assessments, including hands-on penetration testing of systems and applications. * Identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and deliver clear, actionable remediation ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester II

Chandler, AZ · On-site

... Lead or Technical Lead certification. Qualifications : Required : • Bachelor's degree. • At ... penetration testing methodologies. • Experience with Mobile Device Application penetration ...

OCH Technologies LLC

Penetration Tester

Leesburg, VA · On-site

Support the Penetration Testing Lead in developing Rules of Engagement and test plans for upcoming engagements. Responsibilities may evolve over time to support team and organizational goals but will ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA

$86K - $138K/yr

Demonstrated ability to lead a penetration test and guide Senior/Junior Penetration Testers. * U.S. citizenship required. * An active Secret security clearance. * Must have the ability to obtain a ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester III

Chandler, AZ · On-site

The role involves conducting penetration testing, managing projects, and leading Red Team ... Assessment Lead or Technical Lead certification. • Secret Clearance (active). Company : M9 ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester II

Washington, DC · On-site

They are seeking a Penetration Tester II to work on-site in support of a government contract ... Assessment Lead or Technical Lead certification. • Secret Clearance (active). Company : M9 ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester II

Washington, DC · On-site

... Lead or Technical Lead certification. Qualifications : Required : • Bachelor's degree. • At ... penetration testing methodologies. • Experience with Mobile Device Application penetration ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester III

Chandler, AZ · On-site

They are seeking a Penetration Tester III to conduct penetration testing and security assessments ... Assessment Lead or Technical Lead certification. • Secret Clearance (active). Company : M9 ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester II

Chandler, AZ · On-site

They are seeking a Penetration Tester II to support a government contract and conduct various types ... Assessment Lead or Technical Lead certification. • Secret Clearance (active). Company : M9 ...

CoStar Group

Senior Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

Lead penetration tests on web applications and underlying infrastructure for vulnerabilities using ... Experience testing modern applications in cloud-native tech stacks. * Experience with mobile ...

CoStar

Senior Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA

Responsibilities Lead penetration tests on web applications and underlying infrastructure for ... Experience testing modern applications in cloud-native tech stacks. Experience with mobile ...

SOSi

Penetration Tester III

Washington, DC

Management or team lead experience * Experience performing continuous penetration testing * Experience conducting red team operations * Experience performing IoT, mobile, and cloud penetration ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA

$86K - $138K/yr

Demonstrated ability to lead a penetration test and guide Senior/Junior Penetration Testers. * U.S. citizenship required. * An active Secret security clearance. * Must have the ability to obtain a ...

Spektrum

Penetration Tester

Hague, ND

Penetration Tester Role ID - C004912 Role Background The Penetration Tester will support NATO ... Role Duties and Responsibilities Lead or participate in Red Team and Blue Team activities during ...

Altus Consulting Corp

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site +1

Lead quality assurance initiatives for our suite of penetration testing services * Engage in cross-functional collaboration to enhance our overall security offerings Ideal Candidate Profile: We are ...

Altus Consulting Corp

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site

Lead quality assurance initiatives for our suite of penetration testing services * Engage in cross-functional collaboration to enhance our overall security offerings Ideal Candidate Profile: We are ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester III

Washington, DC · On-site

They are seeking a Penetration Tester III to conduct penetration testing and security assessments ... Assessment Lead or Technical Lead certification. • Secret Clearance (active). Company : M9 ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester II

Chandler, AZ · On-site

They are seeking a Penetration Tester II to support a government contract, requiring an active ... Assessment Lead or Technical Lead certification. • Secret Clearance (active). Company : M9 ...

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Lead Penetration Tester information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do lead penetration tester jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead 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 is a lead penetration tester?

Lead Penetration Testers are cybersecurity professionals who oversee and conduct simulated cyberattacks on computer systems, networks, and applications to identify vulnerabilities. They lead teams of penetration testers, plan testing strategies, and ensure thorough assessments are performed to help organizations strengthen their security posture. In addition to technical testing, Lead Penetration Testers are responsible for reporting findings, recommending remediation steps, and sometimes communicating results to stakeholders. Their work is critical for preventing real-world cyberattacks and ensuring compliance with security standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead penetration tester?

To thrive as a Lead Penetration Tester, you need expertise in ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, and a deep understanding of network, application, and cloud security, typically supported by certifications like OSCP or CEH. Proficiency with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap, as well as familiarity with security frameworks and reporting systems, is essential. Outstanding analytical thinking, leadership, and clear communication skills help you guide teams and present findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. These skills ensure comprehensive security evaluations, effective team management, and actionable risk mitigation for organizations.

What are some common challenges faced by lead penetration testers when managing testing teams during large-scale security assessments?

Lead Penetration Testers often encounter challenges such as coordinating multiple team members, ensuring consistent testing methodologies, and managing time constraints across complex environments. Effective communication with both technical staff and non-technical stakeholders is crucial to align expectations and report findings clearly. Additionally, balancing hands-on testing duties with team leadership and mentoring responsibilities requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Addressing these challenges helps ensure thorough assessments and successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Lead Penetration Tester vs Penetration Tester?

AspectLead Penetration TesterPenetration Tester
CertificationsOSCP, CISSP, CEH, PMPOSCP, CEH, GPEN
Work EnvironmentLeads security assessments, manages teams, plans testing strategiesPerforms security testing, executes penetration tests under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageSecurity firms, large corporations, government agenciesSecurity teams, consulting firms, IT departments

The Lead Penetration Tester typically oversees security assessments, manages teams, and develops testing strategies, requiring advanced certifications and experience. Penetration Testers focus on executing security tests and identifying vulnerabilities. While both roles require similar technical skills, the lead position involves leadership and planning responsibilities.

More about Lead Penetration Tester jobs

What job categories do people searching Lead Penetration Tester jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Penetration Tester jobs are:

Lead Penetration Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Penetration Tester job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Penetration Tester

ASRC Federal Holding

Washington, DC • On-site

$117K - $199K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

ASRC Federal rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

242nd of 449 rated engineering

Job description

ASRC Federal is a leading government contractor furthering missions in space, public health and defense. As an Alaska Native owned corporation, our work helps secure an enduring future for our shareholders. Join our team and discover why we are a top veteran employer and Certified Great Place to Work™
ASRC Federal Technology Solutions is seeking an experienced Penetration Testerto lead advanced security assessments and contribute to the development and execution of penetration testing strategies. This role combines hands-on testing with leadership, mentoring, and collaboration across cybersecurity disciplines.
Work Location: Hybrid, DC (3 days per week onsite)
Responsibilities
  • Lead and perform advanced security assessments, including hands-on penetration testing of systems and applications.
  • Identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and deliver clear, actionable remediation recommendations.
  • Develop and maintain assessment plans aligned withNIST SP 800-53 and FedRAMP Cloud Security Controls.
  • Execute security assessments per defined plans and document findings accurately and promptly.
  • Design, develop, and maintain tools/scripts to automate and enhance penetration testing activities.
  • Manage and mentor a small team of junior penetration testers; provide technical guidance and training.
  • Build and lead a Purple Team to perform joint red/blue team exercises with customer sites.
  • Support secure systems operations and maintenance, including security validation and accreditation activities.
  • Analyze and mitigate system security threats throughout the lifecycle, including risk assessments and implementation of security engineering controls.
  • Ensure compliance with business continuity, operations security, insider threat detection, physical security analysis, and regulatory requirements.
  • Communicate technical findings effectively to technical teams and executive stakeholders.

Requirements
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field.
  • Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience in cybersecurity and penetration testing (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
  • Clearance: Active DOE Q-Clearance or Top Secret (TS) equivalent required.
  • Certifications (Preferred):
    • OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
    • OSCE (Offensive Security Certified Expert)
    • CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
    • CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

Technical Skills & Tools
  • Strong proficiency in vulnerability analysis, risk remediation, and reporting.
  • Ability to clearly replicate vulnerabilities and provide actionable mitigation steps.
  • Familiarity with tools including:
    • Linux, Tenable Nessus, Forescout, Carbon Black, Invicti,
    • Scythe, Rubrik, Fidelis
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present technical findings to executive audiences.

We invest in the lives of our employees, both in and out of the workplace, by providing competitive pay and benefits packages. Benefits offered may include health care, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k); education assistance; paid time off including PTO, holidays, and any other paid leave required by law. The salary offered will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal equity, business needs, and other factors permitted by law. Posted pay ranges are a general guideline only and are not a guarantee of compensation or salary.
EEO Statement
ASRC Federal and its Subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.

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