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Purple Team Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cyber Purple Team Operator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$99K - $169K/yr

The Purple Team operator will play a crucial role in our cybersecurity team by planning and executing threat actor emulations to assess Northern Trust's exposure to the latest techniques, tactics and ...

Job Summary We are seeking a skilled and motivated Purple Team Analyst to join our cybersecurity team. In this role, you will collaborate across offensive and defensive security functions to ...

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The Purple Team operator will play a crucial role in our cybersecurity team by planning and executing threat actor emulations to assess Northern Trust's exposure to the latest techniques, tactics and ...

Cyber Purple Team Operator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$99K - $169K/yr

The Purple Team operator will play a crucial role in our cybersecurity team by planning and executing threat actor emulations to assess Northern Trust's exposure to the latest techniques, tactics and ...

The Purple Team operator will play a crucial role in our cybersecurity team by planning and executing threat actor emulations to assess Northern Trust's exposure to the latest techniques, tactics and ...

Build and maintain detailed incident response runbooks, integrating lessons learned from purple team exercises * Conduct root cause analysis and lead retrospectives that drive measurable improvements ...

Build and maintain detailed incident response runbooks, integrating lessons learned from purple team exercises * Conduct root cause analysis and lead retrospectives that drive measurable improvements ...

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Purple Team information

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How much do purple team jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for purple team in the United States is $19.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.22 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is 30 too old for cyber security?

Purple Team professionals can enter cybersecurity at any age, as the field values skills, certifications, and experience over age. Many successful cybersecurity experts start later in life, and continuous learning through courses and hands-on practice is common. Age is not a barrier to developing a career in cybersecurity or purple teaming roles.

How much does a purple team operator make?

A purple team operator typically earns between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. They work collaboratively with red and blue teams to improve cybersecurity defenses and often require knowledge of penetration testing tools and security frameworks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Purple Team position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Purple Team member, you need a deep understanding of both offensive (red team) and defensive (blue team) cybersecurity techniques, with expertise in penetration testing, threat detection, and incident response. Familiarity with tools such as SIEM platforms, vulnerability scanners, attack simulation frameworks, and certifications like CISSP, CEH, or OSCP are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and the capability to work collaboratively with both security and IT teams are crucial soft skills. These combined skills enable Purple Team professionals to bridge gaps between offensive and defensive security, improving organizational resilience against cyber threats.

What is the purple team work?

Purple team work involves collaboration between cybersecurity red teams (attackers) and blue teams (defenders) to improve an organization’s security posture. It focuses on sharing insights, identifying vulnerabilities, and enhancing defensive strategies through coordinated exercises and communication. Professionals in this role often use tools like security information and event management (SIEM) systems and require knowledge of both offensive and defensive security techniques.

What is a Purple Team job?

A Purple Team job involves bridging the gap between Red Team (offensive security) and Blue Team (defensive security) operations. Professionals in this role collaborate with both teams to enhance an organization's overall security posture by simulating attacks, identifying vulnerabilities, and improving detection and response capabilities. Their goal is to ensure that defensive measures are continuously tested and refined based on real-world attack scenarios. This role requires strong knowledge of cybersecurity threats, penetration testing, and incident response.

Can you make $500,000 a year in cyber security?

A Purple Team cybersecurity professional can potentially earn $500,000 annually with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and roles in high-paying industries or senior leadership positions. Achieving this level typically requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic skills, and often managerial responsibilities. Such salaries are more common in senior roles or specialized consulting positions rather than entry-level jobs.

How does a Purple Team contribute to improving an organization's cybersecurity posture?

A Purple Team plays a unique and strategic role by facilitating collaboration between offensive security experts (Red Team) and defensive teams (Blue Team), helping organizations identify and address vulnerabilities more efficiently. They conduct controlled attack simulations, analyze real-world threat scenarios, and work directly with defenders to strengthen detection and response processes. The team’s efforts often lead to developing stronger security controls and more resilient incident response strategies. For job seekers, this means engaging in diverse projects, learning from both adversarial and defense perspectives, and playing a direct role in enhancing overall cyber defense capabilities.

More about Purple Team jobs
What cities are hiring for Purple Team jobs? Cities with the most Purple Team job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Purple Team jobs? The most popular types of Purple Team jobs are:
What states have the most Purple Team jobs? States with the most job openings for Purple Team jobs include:
Infographic showing various Purple Team job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, and 60% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,603 per year, or $19 per hour.
Cyber Purple Team Operator

Cyber Purple Team Operator

Northern Trust

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Northern Trust rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job Summary:
Northern Trust is a globally recognized financial institution that provides innovative financial services to successful individuals and institutions. The Cyber Purple Team Operator will be responsible for planning and executing threat actor emulations to assess cybersecurity exposure and improve defenses against evolving cyber threats.
Responsibilities:
• Perform intelligence led adversary simulation exercises.
• Provide recommendations to the security operations team for improving controls and defenses based on adversary simulation exercises.
• Assist Security Operations to continuously test and improve detection, logging, SIEM use cases, and incident response playbooks.
• Bridge the communication gap by translating technical findings into actionable risk metrics for executive shareholders
• Staying up to date on the latest attack tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by threat actors.
• Continuous improvement of the bank’s security posture by Identifying gaps in processes and technology and evaluating existing security controls.
• Develop reports that include technical findings, risk ratings, and strategic recommendations.
• Build and maintain custom tools and scripts to support adversary simulation.
• Lead post exploitation reviews to ensure the remediation efforts
• Maintaining and improving team’s tooling infrastructure
• Enhance log ingestion strategies
Qualifications:
Required:
• 3+ years in cybersecurity, with hands-on experience in purple teaming, red teaming, or blue teaming.
• Strong understanding of MITRE ATT&CK framework.
• Experience with coding/scripting languages such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, including SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
• Experience with Offensive Security and Purple Team tools e.g. Cobalt Strike, Metasploit, Caldera, Mythic. or Breach and Attack Simulation tools.
• Practical experience using AI APIs to automate repetitive tasks or analyze large datasets.
• Experience attacking and defending Azure, AWS or other cloud environments.
• Understanding Active Directory, EntraID, and modern authentication protocols.
• Understanding of OSI model and other networking concepts – TCP/IP, DNS, TLS.
• Custom payload development for EDR evasion.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Preferred:
• Certifications such as OSCP, OSEP, OSCE, CRTO, CRTP, GDAT, and GCDA are a plus.
Company:
Northern Trust is a global leader in delivering innovative investment management, asset and fund administration, fiduciary and banking. Founded in 1889, the company is headquartered in Chicago, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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