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Penetration Testing Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

AVP, Penetration Tester

Charlotte, TX · On-site

$122.57 - $204.25/hr

Conduct tactical penetration testing assessments of web, mobile, and API applications against OWASP Top 10 threats and emerging risks, and collaborate with Application Security teams to provide ...

Conduct tactical penetration testing assessments of web, mobile, and API applications against OWASP Top 10 threats and emerging risks, and collaborate with Application Security teams to provide ...

Penetration Testing Experience with operating systems, web applications and network infrastructure. Experience with using Penetration Testing Tools. e.g. NMap, Nessus, Metasploit, BurpSuite, Nikto ...

Heavy Penetration Testing Experience Needed -Manual AND automated testing -Manual pen testing experience Need to be able to actually execute and understand tools/how to use. -If they have an ethical ...

This position involves a blending of several disciplines to include, but not limited, penetration testing, reverse engineering, and code/script development. In this role, you will apply your talents ...

Proficiency in penetration testing tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, or Nessus * Strong understanding of networking protocols and configurations * Expertise in scripting languages such as Python ...

Penetration Tester

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$110 - $165/hr

Proficiency in penetration testing tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, or Nessus * Strong understanding of networking protocols and configurations * Expertise in scripting languages such as Python ...

This position involves a blending of several disciplines to include, but not limited, penetration testing, reverse engineering, and code/script development. In this role, you will apply your talents ...

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Penetration Testing information

See Texas salary details

$21K

$111.7K

$157K

How much do penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for penetration testing in Texas is $111,701.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,400.00 and $131,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is penetration testing?

Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, is a security practice where professionals simulate cyberattacks on a computer system, network, or application to identify vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. The goal is to find and safely exploit weaknesses, assess the impact of potential attacks, and provide recommendations to improve security. Penetration testers use a variety of tools and techniques, often mirroring real-world attack methods, to thoroughly evaluate an organization’s defenses. It is a proactive approach to improving an organization's cybersecurity posture.

What are some common challenges faced by penetration testers during client engagements?

Penetration testers often encounter challenges such as limited access to information, time constraints, and complex network environments that can hinder thorough assessments. Additionally, balancing the need to simulate real-world attacks while ensuring no disruption to client operations requires careful planning and communication. Collaborating effectively with IT teams and clearly documenting findings are crucial for ensuring that vulnerabilities are properly understood and addressed.

What is the difference between Penetration Testing vs Vulnerability Assessment?

AspectPenetration TestingVulnerability Assessment
PurposeSimulate cyberattacks to identify exploitable vulnerabilitiesIdentify and prioritize security weaknesses
DepthIn-depth, targeted testingBroad, comprehensive scanning
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENOSCP, CEH, Security+
Work EnvironmentHands-on testing, simulated attacksAutomated scans, reports

While both roles focus on security weaknesses, Penetration Testing involves actively exploiting vulnerabilities to assess real-world impact, whereas Vulnerability Assessment identifies potential issues for prioritization. Penetration Testing provides a deeper, more targeted security evaluation, making it essential for comprehensive security testing.

Are penetration testers high in demand?

Penetration testers are in high demand due to increasing cybersecurity threats and the need for organizations to identify vulnerabilities. The role often requires skills in tools like Kali Linux and certifications such as OSCP, with job growth expected to remain strong in the cybersecurity field.

Is penetration testing a good career?

Penetration testing is a growing cybersecurity field that involves identifying vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. It requires technical skills, knowledge of security tools, and often certifications like OSCP or CEH. The role offers high demand, competitive salaries, and opportunities for continuous learning, making it a viable career choice for those interested in cybersecurity.

What are the most commonly searched types of Penetration Testing jobs in Texas?

The most popular types of Penetration Testing jobs in Texas are:

What cities in Texas are hiring for Penetration Testing jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Penetration Testing job openings:

Infographic showing various Penetration Testing job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $111,701 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

AVP, Penetration Tester

LPL Financial LLC

Charlotte, TX • On-site

$122.57 - $204.25/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


LPL Financial rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

130th of 152 rated financial services


Job description

Job Overview

As a member of the Cyber Security team, the Senior Penetration Tester, Offensive Security, is responsible for the scheduling, scoping, and execution of internal penetration testing, with a primary focus on web, mobile, cloud, API, and AI‑enabled applications. This individual contributor role performs advanced manual penetration testing to validate the security of company resources. The position serves as the primary point of contact for assigned testing initiatives and partners closely with stakeholders across the organization to identify security weaknesses, recommend mitigation strategies, and validate remediation efforts across LPL applications and platforms.

Responsibilities
  • Partner with product and technology stakeholders to drive end‑to‑end penetration testing activities, including collaboration with Security Architects throughout the SDLC to identify and address security issues prior to production deployment
  • Conduct tactical penetration testing assessments of web, mobile, and API applications against OWASP Top 10 threats and emerging risks, and collaborate with Application Security teams to provide actionable feedback and recommendations, including opportunities to expand automated and AI‑assisted testing capabilities
  • Perform security assessments of internal and external networks, infrastructure, cloud environments, and a wide range of internally developed and commercial products
  • Apply creative and analytical thinking to bypass security controls, identify vulnerabilities, and develop practical remediation guidance; stay informed on evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), zero‑day vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies
  • Develop or modify custom tools and scripts to support new penetration testing needs, automation, and AI‑assisted testing approaches
  • Document and formally report testing scope, methodology, findings, risk ratings, remediation recommendations, and validation results in a clear and concise manner
  • Present testing results to technology and business partners, clearly communicating risk, impact, and remediation guidance in an accessible and collaborative way
  • Lead execution of assigned penetration testing initiatives, including status communication to leadership and coordination with stakeholders
  • Oversee communication, tracking, and retesting of findings to validate successful closure of previously identified issues
  • Assist with validation and triage of submissions from the company’s Vulnerability Disclosure Program and Bug Bounty programs
Requirements
  • 8+ years of experience conducting application, API, and network‑based penetration testing engagements
  • 6+ years of experience troubleshooting tools, manually identifying vulnerabilities in code, and rewriting code to remediate security issues
  • 3+ years of experience leading penetration testing engagements from scoping through reporting and remediation validation
  • 1+ year of experience testing AI, LLM, or Generative AI‑enabled applications
  • 1+ year of experience using AI models (such as Claude or similar) to accelerate tool development or testing workflows
  • Advanced knowledge of security assessment tools and frameworks, such as Burp Suite, Kali Linux, Nessus, Accunetix, Metasploit, AutoSploit, Cobalt Strike, MITRE ATT&CK, MITRE ATLAS, OWASP Top 10 (including OWASP Top 10 for LLMs)
  • Advanced proficiency in one or more programming or scripting languages, such as .NET, JavaScript, Python, Java, PowerShell, Perl, Ruby, Bash, or similar
  • Advanced knowledge of Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems, as well as AWS and Azure cloud environments and cloud‑native services (e.g., containers, Kubernetes, microservices, serverless functions)
  • Experience performing reverse engineering on mobile applications, including those with obfuscation or anti‑emulation protections
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with technical and non‑technical stakeholders
  • Organized approach to managing multiple testing efforts and deliverables
  • A natural curiosity for exploring, testing, and understanding security controls and how they can be improved
Preferences
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Information Security, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
  • Advanced understanding of OWASP frameworks, MITRE ATT&CK and ATLAS, and secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) practices
  • At least one industry‑recognized certification, such as OSCP, OSCE, OSWE, GPEN, GCIH, GWAPT, or GXPN
Pay Range

$122,570.00 - $204,249.00 (Actual base salary varies based on factors, including but not limited to, relevant skill, prior experience, education, base salary of internal peers, demonstrated performance, and geographic location.)

Additionally, LPL Total Rewards package is highly competitive, designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play – such as 401K matching, health benefits, employee stock options, paid time off, volunteer time off, and more.Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that LPL has to offer!

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