1

Penetration Tester Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Perform application layer security reviews of the code developed by our application teams, across multiple languages and frameworks used internally * Assist with application layer penetration testing ...

Sr. Application Security Engineer

Redlands, CA · On-site

$59 - $79/hr

Required : • 5+ years of experience in application security, including manual and automated code reviews, manual penetration testing, dynamic application security testing, and false positive ...

Robotics Product Security Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$62.25 - $83.25/hr

... penetration testing, and adversarial analysis of deployed robotic systems • Investigate vulnerabilities affecting robotic platforms and help drive remediation and long-term resilience improvements ...

Perform application layer security reviews of the code developed by our application teams, across multiple languages and frameworks used internally * Assist with application layer penetration testing ...

Help complete Quality documentation, threat modelling, penetration testing, software architecture review and design recommendations, code analysis and other security testing or work as needed. * Post ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Penetration Tester information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$23.5K

$125.1K

$175.8K

How much do penetration tester jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for penetration tester in Riverside, CA is $125,082.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,200.00 and $147,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Penetration Tester Do?

As a penetration tester, your job is to test the security of a network by attempting to hack into an application, system, or computer. Penetration testing can occur in a variety of ways, from physical interaction with the machine you’re trying to hack to attacks sent over the web. Aside from helping clients test for vulnerabilities, your job also includes explaining how you got in and providing recommendations for stopping others from repeating your actions. In some cases, you may be asked to help investigate cyber crimes or explain methods and techniques in criminal trials. Success in this job is often measured by how many security holes you find and close.

What are some common challenges penetration testers face during client engagements?

Penetration testers often encounter challenges such as limited access to information, strict time constraints, and navigating complex or legacy systems. Additionally, they must balance thorough testing with minimizing disruptions to client operations. Effective communication is crucial, as testers need to clearly document findings and explain technical vulnerabilities to non-technical stakeholders to ensure remediation efforts are understood and prioritized.

What are Penetration Testers?

Penetration Testers, also known as ethical hackers, are cybersecurity professionals who simulate cyberattacks on computer systems, networks, or applications to identify and address security vulnerabilities. Their work helps organizations discover weak points before malicious hackers can exploit them. Penetration testers use a variety of tools and techniques to mimic real-world threats and provide detailed reports with recommendations for improving security. They play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and integrity of an organization’s digital assets.

What is the difference between Penetration Tester vs Vulnerability Analyst?

AspectPenetration TesterVulnerability Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENCVE, CISSP, GIAC
Work EnvironmentHands-on testing, simulated attacksVulnerability scanning, risk assessment
Employer & IndustryCybersecurity firms, IT departmentsSecurity teams, compliance agencies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding testing roles, skillsIdentifying vulnerabilities, analysis methods

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, a Penetration Tester actively exploits vulnerabilities to test security defenses, whereas a Vulnerability Analyst identifies and assesses weaknesses without exploiting them. Penetration Testers typically perform simulated attacks, requiring hands-on skills and certifications like OSCP or CEH. Vulnerability Analysts focus on scanning and reporting vulnerabilities, often working with tools like Nessus or Qualys. Both roles are essential for a comprehensive security strategy but differ in approach and responsibilities.

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

To thrive as a Penetration Tester, you need a solid understanding of networking, operating systems, cybersecurity principles, and typically hold certifications like OSCP or CEH. Proficiency with tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and Wireshark is crucial for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication skills help Penetration Testers effectively document findings and convey risks to clients. These skills and qualities are vital for uncovering security weaknesses and helping organizations strengthen their defenses against cyber threats.
What are the most commonly searched types of Penetration Tester jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Penetration Tester jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Penetration Tester jobs in Riverside, CA? For Penetration Tester jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Penetration Tester jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Penetration Tester jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Penetration Tester jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Penetration Tester job openings:
Infographic showing various Penetration Tester job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 35% Contract. Highlights an 66% In-person, and 34% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,082 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Penetration Tester, Embedded Devices

TP-Link Systems Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

$80K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

About Us:
Headquartered in the United States, TP-Link Systems Inc. is a global provider of reliable networking devices and smart home products, consistently ranked as the world's top provider of Wi-Fi devices. The company is committed to delivering innovative products that enhance people's lives through faster, more reliable connectivity. With a commitment to excellence, TP-Link Systems serves customers in over 170 countries and continues to grow its global footprint.
We believe technology changes the world for the better! At TP-Link Systems Inc, we are committed to crafting dependable, high-performance products to connect users worldwide with the wonders of technology.
Embracing professionalism, innovation, excellence, and simplicity, we aim to assist our clients in achieving remarkable global performance and enable consumers to enjoy a seamless, effortless lifestyle.
Overview:
TP-Link Systems Inc. is seeking a skilled and proactive Penetration Testing Engineer, Embedded Devices to support our embedded product projects under the guidance of senior team members. This role is designed for candidates with a foundational technical background in cybersecurity, particularly in embedded devices. Under the mentorship of senior engineers, the successful candidate will be involved in a range of security activities for a single product category, including penetration testing, threat modeling and security assessment for specific modules, contributing to investigation, risk assessment and verification for incident response.
The ideal candidate is eager to learn, capable of working within defined boundaries, and driven to enhance the security of TP-Link's embedded devices.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Penetration Testing: Perform penetration testing on embedded products to identify vulnerabilities. Provide remediation recommendations and write detailed penetration test reports.
  • Threat Modelling and security assessment: Perform threat modeling to identify and evaluate potential risks for specific modules.
  • Incident Response and Vulnerability Management: Responsible for specific area's incident response, including investigation, containment, remediation, and post-incident analysis. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective resolution.
  • Product cybersecurity certification: Analyze specific product security certification requirements and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve product security certification.
  • Develop security tools: Assist in developing various pen-testing tools, automated testing platforms, and scripts to enhance testing efficiency and accuracy.
  • SDLC Integration: Participate in the development and improvement of the company's SDLC processes, ensuring security considerations are embedded during development.
  • Interpret global cybersecurity standards and regulatory requirements, supporting implementation of security requirements.

Requirements
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
  • Proven 1-3 years' experience as a Security Engineer (Embedded devices) or in a similar role.
  • Strong knowledge of protocol security design, cryptography, security frameworks and common vulnerabilities.
  • Experience with security tools such as Burpsuite, Nmap, Kali, Nessus, Metasploit, IDA, Ghidra, etc.
  • Capability to optimize penetration testing tools and Fuzzing strategies.
  • Ability to analyze SAST results, conduct basic reverse engineering.
  • Proficient in at least one programming language (e.g., C/C++, Python, Bash, or PowerShell).
  • Relevant advanced security certifications (e.g., OSWP, etc.) are highly preferred.
  • Published CVEs are highly preferred.

Soft Skills:
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently as well as collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  • Strong willingness to learn, able to work under guidance and take constructive feedback.
  • Team-oriented mindset, with the ability to follow technical direction and contribute constructively to group tasks.

Benefits
Salary range: $80,000-$132,000
  • Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (partial premium coverage for dependents)
  • Employer quarterly contributions to 401k funds
  • 15 days accrued vacation
  • 11 paid holidays
  • Bi-annual reviews, and annual pay increases
  • Health and wellness benefits, including free gym membership
  • Quarterly team-building event

At TP-Link Systems Inc., we are continually searching for ambitious individuals who are passionate about their work. We believe that diversity fuels innovation, collaboration, and drives our entrepreneurial spirit. As a global company, we highly value diverse perspectives and are committed to cultivating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and valued. We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, and we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Beyond compliance, we strive to create a supportive and growth-oriented workplace for everyone. If you share our passion and connection to this mission, we welcome you to apply and join us in building a vibrant and inclusive team at TP-Link Systems Inc.
Please, no third-party agency inquiries, and we are unable to offer visa sponsorships at this time.