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The Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing Specialist ? Level III serves as the senior technical expert responsible for planning, executing, and leading advanced penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, software assurance, and cyber supply chain risk management activities across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Intelligence Enterprise (DHS IE). This role performs comprehensive security assessments of enterprise networks, cloud environments, applications, operating systems, and Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) using industry-recognized methodologies and advanced manual testing techniques.

The specialist leverages frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, OWASP, NIST, and industry best practices to identify vulnerabilities that may not be detected by automated tools. The position also supports software assurance initiatives through secure code reviews, application security testing, and Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) activities to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of DHS IE systems.

Working closely with Security Operations Center (SOC) personnel, Cybersecurity Engineers, Information System Security Officers (ISSOs), Information System Security Managers (ISSMs), developers, and Government stakeholders, the Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing Specialist provides expert recommendations to reduce enterprise cyber risk while ensuring compliance with Federal, DHS, and Intelligence Community (IC) cybersecurity requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct comprehensive penetration testing engagements for DHS Intelligence Enterprise systems, networks, applications, cloud environments, and infrastructure.
• Perform penetration testing using industry-recognized methodologies, including:
  • MITRE ATT&CK Framework
  • OWASP Web Security Testing Guide
  • NIST penetration testing guidance
  • PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard)
• Plan and execute all phases of penetration testing, including:
  • Pre-engagement planning
  • Rules of Engagement (ROE)
  • Threat intelligence gathering
  • Threat modeling
  • Vulnerability identification
  • Exploitation
  • Post-exploitation analysis
  • Reporting and remediation recommendations
• Utilize advanced manual testing techniques to identify vulnerabilities that are not detectable through automated scanning tools.
• Perform network, web application, wireless, cloud, and infrastructure penetration testing using ethical hacking techniques while ensuring no disruption to production environments.
• Validate Security Operations Center (SOC) detection and incident response capabilities through controlled adversary emulation and red team testing.
• Assess logging, monitoring, detection, and response mechanisms to identify gaps in defensive capabilities.
• Perform software assurance reviews by conducting security and compliance testing of software requests and applications prior to deployment.
• Review Software Assurance Request Forms and provide technical adjudication and security recommendations.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments of enterprise systems and deliver comprehensive Security Assessment Reports (SARs) and Vulnerability Assessment Reports (VARs) within established service-level agreements.
• Perform Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) and Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) assessments for software, hardware, and third-party technologies supporting DHS IE.
• Conduct secure source code reviews using both automated and manual analysis techniques to identify software vulnerabilities and coding weaknesses.
• Utilize static application security testing (SAST), dynamic application security testing (DAST), and software composition analysis (SCA) tools to evaluate software security.
• Maintain the penetration testing toolkit, ensuring monthly software updates, quarterly configuration reviews, and compliance with approved security baselines.
• Develop comprehensive penetration testing reports documenting:
  • Testing methodology
  • Attack paths
  • Exploited vulnerabilities
  • MITRE ATT&CK mappings
  • Risk ratings
  • Technical findings
  • Executive summaries
  • Remediation recommendations
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) supporting penetration testing, software assurance, vulnerability assessment, and SCRM activities.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity engineering, DevSecOps, cloud engineering, and system administration teams to remediate identified vulnerabilities.
• Support cybersecurity audits, security assessments, authorization activities, and continuous monitoring initiatives.
• Participate in cybersecurity working groups and provide technical guidance on emerging threats, offensive security techniques, and vulnerability management best practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.
• Minimum 7?10 years of experience performing penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, software assurance, and offensive cybersecurity activities within Federal Government or Intelligence Community environments.
• Current Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification.
• Current Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
• Expert knowledge of:
  • MITRE ATT&CK Framework
  • OWASP Testing Methodology
  • OWASP Top 10
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES)
• Demonstrated experience with penetration testing and vulnerability assessment tools such as:
  • Burp Suite Professional
  • Nessus / ACAS
  • Nmap
  • Metasploit Framework
  • Wireshark
  • Kali Linux
  • WebInspect
  • Nikto
  • Other industry-standard offensive security tools
• Experience performing software assurance using:
  • SonarQube
  • GitLab Security
  • Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
  • Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)
  • Software Composition Analysis (SCA)
• Minimum 2 years of experience in each of the following:
  • Software Assurance
  • Penetration Testing
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Patch Management
  • Secure Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Security Engineering
• Experience performing secure code reviews and identifying application security vulnerabilities.
• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification.
• GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) certification.
• Experience conducting penetration testing of Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) and classified information systems.
• Experience supporting DHS Intelligence & Analysis (I&A) or other Intelligence Community cybersecurity programs.
• Familiarity with:
  • DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs)
  • Container security (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Kubernetes security
  • Serverless application security
  • Secure DevSecOps pipelines
• Experience supporting Cloud Service Provider (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) penetration testing and cloud-native security assessments.
• Experience performing adversary emulation, purple team, or red team exercises.
• Familiarity with NIST SP 800-161 Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) guidance.

Required Certifications

The following current certifications are required:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Preferred certifications include:

• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
• GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)

Clearance Requirement

Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Clearance Required