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Penetration Testing Government Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Koniag, Inc.

Penetration Testing Lead

Warrenton, VA · On-site

Koniag IT Systems, LLC, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a Penetration Testing Lead to support KITS and our government customer in Washington, DC. This position is for a Future New ...

kgs

Penetration Testing Lead

Leesburg, VA

Koniag IT Systems, LLC, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a Penetration Testing Lead to support KITS and our government customer in Washington, DC. This position is for a Future New ...

kgs

Penetration Testing Lead

Melbourne, FL · On-site

Koniag IT Systems, LLC, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a Penetration Testing Lead to support KITS and our government customer in Washington, DC. This position is for a Future New ...

Endyna

Penetration Testing - SME

Mclean, VA · On-site

... Government leadership. Primary Responsibilities Technical Leadership * Lead penetration testing engagements * Develop attack strategies * Review Rules of Engagement * Provide technical oversight

Endyna

Penetration Testing - SME

Mclean, VA · Remote

... Government leadership. Primary Responsibilities Technical Leadership * Lead penetration testing engagements * Develop attack strategies * Review Rules of Engagement * Provide technical oversight

Cyber Defense Technologies

Penetration Tester

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Conduct penetration testing that uses both active and passive capabilities to expose and exploit IA vulnerabilities. * Review and evaluate information systems and recommend changes to the Government ...

PingWind

Penetration Tester

Alexandria, VA · On-site

... Government cybersecurity requirements. Responsibilities: • Supports execution of authorized penetration testing activities against MODES III systems, applications, and cloud environments to ...

kgs

Penetration Testers - Senior (Lead)

Washington, DC · On-site

Demonstrated experience conducting advanced penetration testing and red team operations within a federal government or large enterprise IT environment. * One or more of the following certifications:

PingWind

Penetration Tester

Alexandria, VA · On-site

Assists with planning, scoping, and execution of penetration tests in coordination with Government stakeholders and senior cybersecurity personnel. Conducts technical testing activities, including ...

gTANGIBLE

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

gTANGIBLE Corporation (gTC), www.gtangible.com, is a C corporation and a registered Government ... Penetration testing will use both automated tools and manual techniques in order to identify ...

SOSi

Penetration Tester III

Washington, DC

... and government services industry. We deliver tailored solutions, tested leadership, and trusted ... This role is responsible for conducting penetration testing and red team activities, assessing ...

Dark Wolf

Penetration Tester

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

... testing efforts against applications and networks for the federal government. • Candidates may ... penetration testing, red team operations, hardware engineering, software engineering, exploit ...

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All JobsPenetration Testing Government Jobs

Penetration Testing Government information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do penetration testing government jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for penetration testing government 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 penetration testing in government?

Penetration testing in government refers to authorized simulated cyberattacks on government systems, networks, or applications to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. These tests help government agencies strengthen their cybersecurity defenses, comply with regulations, and protect sensitive data. Penetration testers use a variety of tools and techniques to mimic real-world cyber threats, ensuring that security measures are effective and up to date.

What are some common challenges faced by penetration testers working in government environments?

Penetration testers in government settings often encounter unique challenges, such as navigating strict security protocols, handling sensitive or classified information, and complying with complex regulatory frameworks. They may also work within rigid change management processes, which can impact the speed and flexibility of testing activities. Collaboration with various departments is essential, as testers must communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders to ensure vulnerabilities are properly understood and remediated.

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

To thrive as a Penetration Tester in government, a deep understanding of network security, vulnerability assessment, and common attack methodologies is required, typically supported by a degree in cybersecurity or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, Nmap, Burp Suite, and certifications such as OSCP, CEH, or CISSP are highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear written and verbal communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are vital to effectively identify security weaknesses, communicate risks, and ensure the protection of sensitive government data and infrastructure.

What is the difference between Penetration Testing Government vs Penetration Testing Private Sector?

AspectPenetration Testing GovernmentPenetration Testing Private Sector
CredentialsCertifications like OSCP, CISSP, CEH often requiredSimilar certifications widely recognized, such as OSCP, CEH, CISSP
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, secure facilities, strict protocolsCorporate offices, consulting firms, diverse environments
Employer & Industry UsageFederal, state, or local government agenciesPrivate companies, cybersecurity firms, consulting agencies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles within government cybersecurityComparing government vs private sector penetration testing roles

Penetration Testing Government professionals focus on securing government systems within strict protocols, often requiring specific certifications and working in secure environments. Private sector penetration testers work with commercial clients, offering more diverse projects and flexible settings. Both roles demand similar skills and certifications but differ mainly in work environment and employer type.

More about Penetration Testing Government jobs
What cities are hiring for Penetration Testing Government jobs? Cities with the most Penetration Testing Government job openings:
What states have the most Penetration Testing Government jobs? States with the most job openings for Penetration Testing Government jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Penetration Testing Government jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Penetration Testing Government jobs are:
Penetration Testing Government jobs near you
Infographic showing various Penetration Testing Government job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.
Penetration Testing Lead

Penetration Testing Lead

Koniag, Inc.

Warrenton, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Koniag IT Systems, LLC, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a Penetration Testing Lead to support KITS and our government customer in Washington, DC. This position is for a Future New Business Opportunity.
The customer may need support as needed at other locations: Warrenton, VA, Atlantic City, NJ, Melbourne, FL, Oklahoma, OK and Leesburg, VA.
We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more.
We are seeking an experienced Penetration Testing Lead to conduct advanced penetration testing activities, simulate cyberattacks, and evaluate the security posture of systems, networks, and applications. The Penetration Testing Lead will analyze vulnerabilities, identify gaps in IT security policies and configurations, and deliver actionable recommendations to reduce organizational cyber risk. This role requires a highly technical leader with demonstrated experience in offensive and defensive cybersecurity operations and penetration testing methodologies.
Essential Functions, Responsibilities & Duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessments of systems, networks, and applications.
  • Provide detailed analysis of discovered vulnerabilities, gaps, and risks, including assessment of patching and mitigation strategies.
  • Act as an ethical attacker (red team) to simulate cyber intrusions, or as defensive cybersecurity personnel (blue team) to strengthen system resilience.
  • Develop penetration testing Rules of Engagement (ROE), test plans, and reports.
  • Execute tests in alignment with specifications, requirements, and cybersecurity guidance.
  • Provide technical expertise on penetration testing tools, cyber ranges, and simulation environments.
  • Recommend remediation actions to lower overall risk exposure.
  • Lead, supervise, and coordinate penetration testing teams and activities.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics from an accredited institution.
  • Eight (8) years of experience performing penetration testing or related responsibilities described in this position.
  • At least two (2) years of relevant experience must be recent (performed within the last three years).
  • Five (5) years of management and supervisory experience within the required experience timeframe
  • Two (2) of those five (5) years must have been in a lead role.
  • At least one (1) of the following Red Teaming or Blue Teaming certifications:

Red Teaming Certifications:
  • Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
  • Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE)
  • Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP)
  • Offensive Security Web Expert (OSWE)
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • EC Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)
  • CEH Practical
  • ECSA Practical
  • Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) Master
  • GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
  • GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
  • GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT)
  • GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN)
  • GIAC Assessing and Auditing Wireless Networks (GAWN)

Blue Teaming Certifications:
  • Certified Network Defender (CND)
  • Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA)
  • GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
  • GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
  • GIAC Defending Advanced Threats (GDAT)
  • GIAC Defensible Security Architecture (GDSA)
  • GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender (GCED)
  • GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience supporting federal agencies or regulated cybersecurity environments.
  • Knowledge of NIST security controls, RMF, cyber ranges, and penetration testing methodologies.
  • Strong communication, reporting, and documentation skills.

Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.
The company is dedicated to seeking all qualified applicants. If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply for a position on our website, please get in touch with Heaven Wood via e-mail at accommodations@koniag-gs.com or by calling 703-488-9377 to request accommodations.
Koniag Government Services (KGS) is an Alaska Native Owned corporation supporting the values and traditions of our native communities through an agile employee and corporate culture that delivers Enterprise Solutions, Professional Services and Operational Management to Federal Government Agencies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Koniag, we apply our proven commercial solutions to a deep knowledge of Defense and Civilian missions to provide forward leaning technical, professional, and operational solutions. KGS enables successful mission outcomes for our customers through solution-oriented business partnerships and a commitment to exceptional service delivery. We ensure long-term success with a continuous improvement approach while balancing the collective interests of our customers, employees, and native communities. For more information, please visit www.koniag-gs.com.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Shareholder Preference in accordance with Public Law 88-352
Koniag logo

About Koniag

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Investment management and consulting services

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kodiak, AK, US

Year founded

1972

Social media

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