ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Penetration Testing Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

All JobsPenetration Testing Intern JobsPenetration Testing Intern Jobs in California

Penetration Testing Intern information

See California salary details

$10

$20

$26

How much do penetration testing intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for penetration testing intern in California is $20.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.91 and $22.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Penetration Testing Intern vs Penetration Tester?

AspectPenetration Testing InternPenetration Tester
CredentialsTypically pursuing or holds a related degree; may have basic certifications like CompTIA Security+Professional certifications like OSCP, CEH, or CISSP often required
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, supervised, often part-time or internship programsFull-time, independent or team-based security assessments
ResponsibilitiesAssisting in testing, learning tools, supporting senior testersConducting security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities, reporting findings

In summary, a Penetration Testing Intern is an entry-level role focused on learning and supporting security testing activities, while a Penetration Tester is a professional responsible for executing comprehensive security assessments independently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a penetration testing intern?

To thrive as a Penetration Testing Intern, you need a solid understanding of networking fundamentals, cybersecurity principles, and basic programming or scripting skills, often supported by relevant coursework or certifications like CompTIA Security+. Familiarity with tools such as Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and vulnerability scanners is typically expected. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help interns document findings and collaborate with security teams. These skills ensure interns can identify, analyze, and report vulnerabilities responsibly, contributing to the organization’s overall security posture.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as a penetration testing intern?

As a Penetration Testing Intern, you can expect to assist with vulnerability assessments, help conduct penetration tests on web applications, networks, and systems, and support the documentation of findings. Your daily tasks may include researching exploits, running automated tools, analyzing security reports, and collaborating with senior testers to learn best practices. Interns often participate in team meetings, contribute to debriefings, and may even help develop proof-of-concept attacks under supervision, giving you hands-on experience in real-world security scenarios.

What does a penetration testing intern do?

A Penetration Testing Intern assists cybersecurity teams by helping to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. Their main goal is to simulate cyberattacks in a controlled environment to help organizations improve their security. Interns often work under the guidance of experienced professionals, learning how to use various tools and techniques to conduct tests, document findings, and suggest remediation. This role provides hands-on experience in ethical hacking and cybersecurity best practices.
What are the most commonly searched types of Penetration Testing jobs in California? The most popular types of Penetration Testing jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Penetration Testing Intern jobs in California? For Penetration Testing Intern jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Penetration Testing Intern jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Penetration Testing Intern jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Penetration Testing Intern jobs? Cities in California with the most Penetration Testing Intern job openings:
Penetration Testing Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Penetration Testing Intern job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,750 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Security Analyst Intern

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

San Jose, CA

$26 - $38/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

MonolithicPowerSystems,Inc.(MPS)isoneofthefastestgrowingcompaniesintheSemiconductorindustry.WeareworldwidetechnicalleadersinIntegratedPowerSemiconductorsandSystemsPowerdeliveryarchitectures.AtMPS,wecultivatecreativity,arepassionateaboutsustainability,andarecommittedtoprovidingleading-edgeproductsandinnovationtoourcustomers.Ourportfoliooftechnologyhelpspowerourworld---comejoinourteamandseehowYOUcanmakeadifference.

Job Description:

Job Summary

This IT Security Analyst/DevSecOps Engineer Intern position will join a dynamic and fast-growing global IT organization in San Jose, California, or Kirkland, Washington supporting world-wide operations with major sites in the US, EU, and APAC. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in protecting our organization's computer networks and systems from cyber threats and attacks, while also integrating security practices throughout our software development lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

  • Monitor computer networks for security issues and investigate any breaches or violations

  • Perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify security weaknesses

  • Develop security standards and best practices for the organization

  • Research the latest IT security trends and emerging threats

  • Prepare reports documenting security issues and mitigation efforts

  • Collaborate with IT and development teams to implement security measures and upgrades

  • Ability to perform log analysis and correlating security events.

  • Developing and implementing automated alert triage systems

  • Conduct security awareness training for employees

  • Assist in incident response and forensic analysis when security incidents occur

  • Integrate security practices into the CI/CD pipeline and software development lifecycle

  • Implement and manage automated security testing tools in the development process

  • Work with development teams to address security vulnerabilities early in the development cycle

  • Ensure compliance with security standards and regulations throughout the development process

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, IT, cybersecurity, or related field

  • 3+ years of experience in information security or related IT role

  • 2+ years of experience with DevOps or DevSecOps practices

  • Knowledge of firewalls, proxies, SIEM, antivirus, and IDPS concepts

  • Familiarity with ISO 27001/27002, NIST CSF, CIS Controls and other security frameworks

  • Experience with vulnerability assessment tools and techniques

  • Experience working with RESTful APIs and JSON/XML data formats

  • Proficient in implementing and managing identity federation protocols including OIDC and SAML

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • Experience configuring and troubleshooting Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

  • Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell) and version control systems (e.g., Git)

  • Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)

  • Familiarity with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Travis CI)

  • Knowledge of infrastructure-as-code and configuration management tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)

  • Relevant certifications like Security+, CEH, CISSP, or CISM preferred

Location

  • San Jose, CA

The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, and able to stay calm under pressure. You should have a passion for cybersecurity and a commitment to protecting sensitive data and systems throughout the entire software development lifecycle.

Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education and other job-related reasons. The target hiring range for this position is $26/hour - $38/hour.

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (MPS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. It is the policy of MPS to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or special disabled veteran, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Apply