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Lead Penetration Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SOSi

Penetration Tester III

Washington, DC · On-site

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

Koniag, Inc.

Penetration Testing Lead

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Penetration Testing Lead will analyze vulnerabilities, identify gaps in IT security policies ... Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) Master * GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) * GIAC ...

Govcio LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$124K - $180K/yr

Lead, plan, and oversee penetration testing operations for systems, networks, cloud resources, and web‑based applications in a TS/SCI environment * Execute comprehensive vulnerability assessments ...

Govcio LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$124K - $180K/yr

Lead, plan, and oversee penetration testing operations for systems, networks, cloud resources, and web‑based applications in a TS/SCI environment * Execute comprehensive vulnerability assessments ...

kgs

Penetration Testing Lead

Melbourne, FL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Penetration Testing Lead will analyze vulnerabilities, identify gaps in IT security policies ... Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) Master * GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) * GIAC ...

Jobtailor

Senior Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

* Perform penetration testing on networks, applications (including APIs, mobile apps, and web apps ... Lead and coordinate project readiness with internal teams and customers * Resolve client and ...

kgs

Penetration Testing Lead

Warrenton, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Penetration Testing Lead will analyze vulnerabilities, identify gaps in IT security policies ... Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) Master * GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) * GIAC ...

Govcio LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$124K - $180K/yr

Lead, plan, and oversee penetration testing operations for systems, networks, cloud resources, and web‑based applications in a TS/SCI environment * Execute comprehensive vulnerability assessments ...

Govcio LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$124K - $180K/yr

Lead, plan, and oversee penetration testing operations for systems, networks, cloud resources, and web-based applications in a TS/SCI environment * Execute comprehensive vulnerability assessments and ...

Quzara LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

Lead and mentor a team of penetration testers, providing guidance and sharing expertise * Carry out remote and on-site testing of client networks and infrastructure to expose security weaknesses

LPL Financial

AVP, Penetration Tester

San Diego, CA

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead execution of assigned penetration testing initiatives, including status communication to leadership and coordination with stakeholders * Oversee communication, tracking, and retesting of ...

M9 Solutions

Penetration Tester II

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$60K - $180K/yr

M9 Solutions is seeking a Penetration Tester II to work on-site in support of a government contract ... Must have or be able to obtain CISA AES HVA Assessment Lead or Technical Lead certification.

LPL Financial

AVP, Penetration Tester

Fort Mill, SC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead execution of assigned penetration testing initiatives, including status communication to leadership and coordination with stakeholders * Oversee communication, tracking, and retesting of ...

LPL Financial

AVP, Penetration Tester

Washington, DC

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead execution of assigned penetration testing initiatives, including status communication to leadership and coordination with stakeholders * Oversee communication, tracking, and retesting of ...

LPL Financial

AVP, Penetration Tester

Fort Mill, SC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead execution of assigned penetration testing initiatives, including status communication to leadership and coordination with stakeholders * Oversee communication, tracking, and retesting of ...

LPL Financial

AVP, Penetration Tester

Austin, TX

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead execution of assigned penetration testing initiatives, including status communication to leadership and coordination with stakeholders * Oversee communication, tracking, and retesting of ...

Peraton

Penetration Tester / Secret

Chandler, AZ · On-site

Responsibilities : • Conduct full-spectrum penetration testing across enterprise, cloud, mobile, IoT, and HVA environments. • Lead and execute adversary emulation and red team operations to ...

OSec

Penetration Tester

New York, NY · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Penetration Tester is responsible for working as part of the Assessment Team to conduct and ... This individual will work as part of a security team and report to an Assessment Team Lead. Job ...

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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.

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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 III

SOSi

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Founded in 1989, SOSi is among the largest private, founder-owned technology and services integrators in the defense and government services industry. We deliver tailored solutions, tested leadership, and trusted results to enable national security missions worldwide.
Job Description
Overview
SOSi is seeking a Penetration Tester III to support proactive cyber defense activities in alignment with our customer. This role is responsible for conducting penetration testing and red team activities, assessing security posture across enterprise environments, and supporting identification, validation, and reporting of vulnerabilities to improve cyber defense resilience.
Responsibilities
• Conduct penetration testing across enterprise systems, applications, and network environments
• Perform red team activities to evaluate security controls and identify exploitable weaknesses
• Support continuous penetration testing activities to assess evolving threats and vulnerabilities
• Conduct testing of IoT, mobile, and cloud environments
• Support High Value Asset (HVA) security assessments
• Apply testing methodologies and frameworks including MITRE ATT&CK, OSSTMM, OWASP, NIST, PTES, and ISSAF
• Identify, document, validate, and report vulnerabilities and recommended remediation actions
• Support cyber defense operations through coordination with security engineering, vulnerability management, and incident response teams
Qualifications
  • Experience:
    • Five (5) to seven (7) years of penetration testing experience
    • Management or team lead experience
    • Experience performing continuous penetration testing
    • Experience conducting red team operations
    • Experience performing IoT, mobile, and cloud penetration testing
    • Experience supporting High Value Asset (HVA) assessments
    • Experience applying MITRE ATT&CK, OSSTMM, OWASP, NIST, PTES, and ISSAF methodologies
  • Education:
    • Bachelor's Degree
  • Certifications:
    Required:
    • GPEN or GXPN
    • CISA AES HVA Lead or Technical Lead, or ability to obtain
      • Plus one of the following:
      • GRTP
      • CRTL
      • OSCP
      • CRTP
      • CMWAPT
      • CEPT
      • CPT
      • LPT
  • Clearance/Suitability: Secret (active)

Additional Information
Work Environment
  • Normal office conditions with potential to perform duties in deployed locations.
  • Core hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 0600 - 1700.
  • May be requested to work evenings and weekends to meet program and contract needs.

Working at SOSi
All interested individuals will receive consideration and will not be discriminated against for any reason.

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