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Physical Penetration Testing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Strong knowledge of testing simulated intrusion attempts and physical penetration testing * Proficiency in the testing and assessment of mobile operating systems, embedded systems and/or IoT devices

Strong knowledge of testing simulated intrusion attempts and physical penetration testing * Proficiency in the testing and assessment of mobile operating systems, embedded systems and/or IoT devices

Under general supervision, perform penetration testing of applications, systems, and network ... Additional Job Information WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work environment ...

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC ยท Hybrid

$130K - $145K/yr

This role demands a deep understanding of penetration testing methodologies and advanced exploit ... physical security assessments, or social engineering * Proficiency with cloud technology and ...

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$130K - $145K/yr

This role demands a deep understanding of penetration testing methodologies and advanced exploit ... physical security assessments, or social engineering * Proficiency with cloud technology and ...

Penetration Tester

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$130K - $145K/yr

This role demands a deep understanding of penetration testing methodologies and advanced exploit ... physical security assessments, or social engineering * Proficiency with cloud technology and ...

Penetration testing will use both automated tools and manual techniques in order to identify ... physical or mental disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or ...

Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA ยท Hybrid

$130K - $145K/yr

This role demands a deep understanding of penetration testing methodologies and advanced exploit ... physical security assessments, or social engineering * Proficiency with cloud technology and ...

Responsibilities Independently performs penetration testing of applications, systems and enclaves ... Physical Demands Employee needs to be able to sit at a workstation for extended periods; use hand(s ...

Independently performs penetration testing of applications, systems and enclaves Identifies ... Physical Demands Employee needs to be able to sit at a workstation for extended periods; use hand(s ...

... testing * Perform penetration tests against external networks, internal networks, web applications, mobile applications, social engineering, phishing, physical security, wireless networks, and more ...

Penetration Testing Team Lead Location: Arlington, VA Clearance: Secret Duties and Responsibilities ... physical or mental disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or ...

The Penetration Tester will assist in the development of cyber test plans, execute cyber tests, and ... Testing may be against physical, virtualized, or cloud-based systems. This position shall leverage ...

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Physical Penetration Testing information

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How much do physical penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for physical penetration testing in the United States is $109,565.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can penetration testing be physical?

Physical penetration testing involves assessing the security of a facility by attempting to bypass physical barriers such as locks, access controls, and surveillance systems. It is a common component of comprehensive security assessments conducted by penetration testers to identify vulnerabilities in physical security measures. Skills in lockpicking, social engineering, and the use of specialized tools are often required.

What is a Physical Penetration Testing job?

A Physical Penetration Testing job involves assessing the security of a facility by simulating real-world intrusion attempts. Testers use tactics like social engineering, lock picking, and bypassing security controls to identify vulnerabilities. The goal is to help organizations strengthen their physical security measures by uncovering weaknesses before malicious actors do. This role requires a combination of technical knowledge, stealth, and problem-solving skills.

Are pen testers in demand?

Yes, penetration testers are in high demand due to increasing cybersecurity threats and the need for organizations to identify vulnerabilities. The role often requires knowledge of security tools, scripting, and certifications like OSCP or CEH, and job growth is expected to remain strong as cybersecurity becomes a top priority for businesses.

How much do physical pentesters make?

Physical penetration testers typically earn between $60,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Senior professionals with specialized skills or security clearances can earn higher salaries, especially when working for large organizations or government agencies.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Physical Penetration Tester?

A typical day for a Physical Penetration Tester involves planning and executing simulated intrusions to assess and test the effectiveness of an organization's physical security controls. This often includes reconnaissance of target facilities, attempting authorized entry through various methods (such as bypassing locks or circumventing access controls), and documenting discovered vulnerabilities. Testers also collaborate closely with internal security teams and may present their findings through detailed reports and debriefing sessions. The work can be both hands-on and analytical, and it frequently requires flexibility, discretion, and strict adherence to client agreements. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of security environments and play a crucial role in helping organizations improve their overall security posture.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Physical Penetration Testing position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Physical Penetration Tester, you need a strong background in security assessment, physical security systems, and risk analysis, often supported by relevant certifications such as Certified Red Team Professional (CRTP) or Physical Security Professional (PSP). Familiarity with lock picking tools, badge cloning devices, RFID readers, and surveillance avoidance techniques is commonly required. Strong problem-solving, discretion, and clear communication skills set successful testers apart, especially when working under pressure or conveying findings to clients. These skills ensure comprehensive and ethical testing of physical security defenses, enabling organizations to identify and remediate real-world vulnerabilities effectively.

Will pentesters be replaced by AI?

Physical penetration testers perform manual security assessments that require human judgment, creativity, and adaptability, which AI currently cannot fully replicate. While AI tools can assist in vulnerability scanning and automation, they complement rather than replace the expertise of pentesters, especially in complex or novel scenarios. Continuous learning and certification in security tools remain important for pentesters to stay effective.
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What cities are hiring for Physical Penetration Testing jobs? Cities with the most Physical Penetration Testing job openings:
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Infographic showing various Physical Penetration Testing job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 3% Full Time, 92% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,565 per year, or $52.7 per hour.
Penetration Tester

Penetration Tester

Dark Wolf Solutions

Salt Lake City, UT โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Dark Wolf is looking for aย Penetration Tester who will plan and perform continuous cross-domain vulnerability assessments, full-scale penetration testing and red team operations. The ideal candidate must display familiarity with both cloud-based and on-premises Windows, Linux and mobile operating systems and environments and be able to conduct network and application security vulnerability analysis. The candidate will analyze both commercial and federal mission systems to help identify potential vulnerabilities and help to provide and implement remediation strategies to customers for these issues. The successful candidate must have prior experience with multiple facets of penetration testing, using and ideally developing or contributing to both open source and proprietary tools. Conducts open-source research on clients and their infrastructure to help identify data leakage that could lead to vulnerabilities. Leverages programming knowledge to develop custom tools and exploits both for targeting unique client systems and building internal testing capabilities. Prepares assessments and presentations of analyses and findings. Develops and maintains analytical procedures to meet changing requirements and ensure effective operations. This position requires full-time onsite work at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, UT.ย 

Duties/Responsibilities:

Candidates may be asked to move between projects and participate in either single engagement penetration tests or continuous engagement Red Teams. The position will primarily require the candidate to lead the technical aspect of a specific, long-term penetration testing effort, helping to conduct varied testing efforts against applications and networks for the federal government. Candidates may also be placed on a larger Red Team and be expected to develop a continuous campaign-based assessment that emulates the target's real-world adversaries by developing new tools specific to the target. Candidates will be expected to integrate into ongoing testing efforts, requiring subject matter expertise in multiple disciplines of vulnerability testing and assessment, the ability to interact and liaison directly with clients and a strong ability to write and document findings. Travel is required on an occasional basis for clients requiring onsite testing.ย 

Required Qualifications:

  • 3+ years' experience in three or more specific areas to include: intelligence analysis, network engineering, networking security, penetration testing, red team operations, hardware engineering, software engineering, exploit development, reverse engineering, vulnerability assessment, physical security assessments, social engineering
  • Strong knowledge of testing simulated intrusion attempts and physical penetration testing
  • Proficiency in the testing and assessment of mobile operating systems, embedded systems and/or IoT devices
  • Familiarity with unmanned aerial vehicles and associated mobile and wireless technologies
  • Proficiency of various operating systems: Windows, iOS, Android, Mac or Linux
  • Proficiency with cloud technology and deployments: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform
  • Moderate competency in at least one scripting and/or coding language
  • Working knowledge of software development, with preference for experience working around software development teams and efforts
  • Experience in network analysis methodologies
  • Experience in drafting reports, documenting case details, and being able to summarize findings and recommendations based on system analysis
  • Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills
  • BS (or equivalent) in Cybersecurity, Information Security, IT, EE, Network Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
  • Willingness to travel
  • US Citizenship and an active Secret clearance with the ability to be upgraded to a Top Secret level.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with container technologies to include container orchestration and microservices
  • Experience with DevSecOps and adjacent tools; strong preference for experience with Kubernetes, software development pipelines
  • Security Certification: CEH, OSCP, PNPT or similar security/pentesting certs
  • Experience employing advanced forensic tools and techniques for attack reconstruction, including dead system analysis and volatile data collection and analysis
  • Experience in performing post-incident computer forensics without destruction of critical data.
  • Desired experience ensuring quality assurance and the spreading of best practices
  • MS degree in technical field
  • Security+ Certification

This position is located in Ogden, UT.ย 

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.