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Offensive Security Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Manager, Offensive Security: Purple Team

Mclean, VA · On-site

$112K - $151K/yr

Manager, Offensive Security: Purple Team At Capital One, you'll be part of a big group of makers ... Engineering & Analytics: Perform advanced analysis of log events using big data tools to identify ...

Senior Security Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$115K - $158K/yr

Deep hands-on experience with offensive security: red teaming, penetration testing, or ... engineering teams * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or ...

Senior Application Security Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$61.25 - $81.75/hr

This high-impact role blends advanced offensive security (penetration testing) with adversarial ... engineers who love offensive security and advanced penetration testing while influencing ...

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Offensive Security Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$61K

$151.5K

$203.7K

How much do offensive security engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for offensive security engineer in Virginia is $151,463.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,800.00 and $157,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Offensive Security Engineers on the job?

Offensive Security Engineers often encounter challenges such as keeping up with rapidly evolving threats, maintaining deep technical knowledge across various technologies, and identifying vulnerabilities in large or complex systems. They must balance rigorous testing with minimal disruption to live systems, which requires careful planning and coordination with other teams. Additionally, translating technical findings into actionable recommendations that are understandable to both technical and non-technical stakeholders is a key part of the role. These challenges make adaptability, continuous learning, and strong communication skills especially important in this field.

What does an Offensive Security Engineer do?

An Offensive Security Engineer is responsible for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications to assess an organization's security posture. They conduct penetration testing, simulate real-world cyber attacks, and provide recommendations to strengthen defenses. Their work helps organizations proactively detect and mitigate security risks before malicious hackers can exploit them. They often use tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, and custom scripts to test security controls.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Offensive Security Engineer position, and why are they important?

Offensive Security Engineers need expertise in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, networking, programming, and a solid understanding of security best practices, typically supported by a computer science degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, Kali Linux, and certifications such as OSCP or CEH is highly valued. Strong problem-solving ability, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset help professionals excel in this dynamic field. These skills ensure the engineer can identify and exploit security weaknesses while clearly conveying findings to both technical teams and stakeholders, ultimately strengthening organizational security.

What are the most commonly searched types of Offensive Security Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Offensive Security Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Offensive Security Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Offensive Security Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Offensive Security Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Offensive Security Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Offensive Security Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Offensive Security Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Offensive Security Engineer job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,463 per year, or $72.8 per hour.

Senior Information Security Engineer, Offensive Security

GRVTY

Sterling, VA

$105K - $143K/yr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

What Impact You'll Have

Seeking experienced offensive security professionals to conduct security assessments, red team operations, and network exploitation activities in support of client security requirements.

What You'll be Owning

  • Execute offensive cyber operations to assess client networks and identify vulnerabilities
  • Analyze computer networks and systems to identify and assess security weaknesses
  • Perform analysis of malware and security tools to evaluate capabilities
  • Provide written and oral briefings on assessment results to clients and management
  • Train and mentor junior operators on tools, techniques, and tradecraft
  • Develop scripts and tools to improve operational efficiency

What You Must Have

  • Must be able to obtain and maintain an Active TS/SCI with poly, US citizenship required
  • Bachelor Degree in Computer Science or related field is required or 5 years of direct work experience
  • Minimum of 3 years of related work experience is required
  • Completion of formal offensive cyber operations training
  • Experience conducting network exploitation, penetration testing, or red team operations
  • Proficiency with UNIX/Linux and Windows operating systems
  • Strong understanding of network protocols and packet analysis

What Would be Nice to Have

  • Active TS/SCI with poly
  • Advanced operator certifications or specialized training
  • OSCP, GXPN, or similar offensive security certifications
  • Experience with reverse engineering and exploit development
  • Background in offensive cyber operations or advanced red teaming