1

Red Team Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Red Team Operator leads advanced offensive security operations designed to assess and improve the organization's cyber resilience. This role is responsible for conducting sophisticated ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

Junior, Mid, andSenior Red Team Operator * Junior 2+ years * Mid 3-5+ years * Senior 8+ years * Job Type: Full-time * Location: Huntsville, AL - Customer Site & REMOTE * Travel: 15%-20% * Clearance ...

The Red Teamer will primarily be responsible for conducting in-depth Threat Emulation exercises such as Red Team Operations, Purple Team Operations, and Penetration Tests to assess the security of ...

Showing results 21-40

Red Team Operator information

See salary details

$10

$20

$29

How much do red team operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for red team operator in the United States is $20.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $22.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a red team operator?

Red Team Operators are cybersecurity professionals who simulate real-world cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems, processes, and defenses. Their goal is to mimic the tactics, techniques, and procedures of actual adversaries to test an organization’s security posture. By doing so, they help organizations understand their weaknesses and improve their response capabilities. Red Team Operators often work closely with Blue Teams (defenders) to provide actionable insights and recommendations for strengthening security.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a red team operator?

To thrive as a Red Team Operator, you need a deep understanding of cybersecurity concepts, penetration testing methodologies, and knowledge of network and application security, often supported by certifications like OSCP or CEH. Proficiency with tools such as Metasploit, Cobalt Strike, Nmap, and Burp Suite is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and effective communication are essential soft skills for simulating adversarial attacks and reporting findings. These skills and qualities are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities, improving organizational defenses, and ensuring resilient security postures.

What are some common challenges red team operators face when simulating real-world cyber attacks within an organization?

Red Team Operators often encounter challenges such as navigating complex security controls, dealing with limited information about the target environment, and maintaining stealth to avoid detection by blue teams. They must balance realism with safety, ensuring that operations do not disrupt critical business functions. Collaboration with other security professionals is essential, especially during post-engagement debriefs to share findings and improve the organization's defenses. Managing time and scope within engagement constraints can also be a demanding aspect of the role.

What is the difference between Red Team Operator vs Penetration Tester?

AspectRed Team OperatorPenetration Tester
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENOSCP, CEH, GPEN
Work EnvironmentSimulates real-world attacks, often in complex, multi-layered scenariosFocuses on identifying vulnerabilities through controlled testing
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by security teams to assess organizational security postureHired by organizations or consulting firms to find security flaws

Red Team Operators and Penetration Testers share similar certifications and often work in overlapping environments. However, Red Team Operators focus on simulating real-world, multi-faceted attacks to test defenses, while Penetration Testers typically identify specific vulnerabilities through targeted testing. Both roles are essential for comprehensive cybersecurity assessments.

How much does it cost to become a certified red team operator?

Becoming a certified red team operator typically involves obtaining industry-recognized certifications such as OSCP, OSCE, or CREST, which can cost from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the certification and training provider. Additional costs may include training courses, lab access, and practice exams, with some employers providing sponsorship or reimbursement for certification expenses.

How to get a job as a red team operator?

To become a red team operator, candidates typically need a strong background in cybersecurity, penetration testing, or ethical hacking, often supported by certifications such as OSCP, CEH, or GPEN. Practical experience with tools like Kali Linux, Metasploit, and knowledge of network protocols are essential, along with understanding attack methodologies and security defenses. Building a portfolio of simulated attack exercises and staying current with industry trends can improve job prospects in this field.
More about Red Team Operator jobs

What cities are hiring for Red Team Operator jobs?

Cities with the most Red Team Operator job openings:

What states have the most Red Team Operator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Red Team Operator jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Red Team Operator jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Red Team Operator jobs are:

Infographic showing various Red Team Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 79% In-person, and 21% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $41,738 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Red Team Operator (Senior)

Cyber Defense Technologies

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$160 - $210/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Cyber Defense Technologies (CDT) is looking for a Senior Red Team Operator to support a government customer onsite in Chantilly, VA. You will be responsible to lead in the design and execution of adversarial based security testing of various targets. Successful candidates must be capable of evaluating environments, applications, systems or processes to discover weaknesses, and subsequently leverage those discoveries into actionable real world attack strategies. Will provide leadership and guidance to advance the operational capabilities of the team and its subsequent ability to evaluate risk to the enterprise. Candidates with OSCP certification are highly recommended to apply.

Clearance

An active Top Secret/SCI with CI Poly is required. Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

Responsibilities
  • Demonstrate an ability to structure a Red Team and optimize it for execution, including programmatic improvements to fill in gaps with the existing team.
  • Perform and lead a full scope of Red Team testing; including network penetration, web application testing, threat analysis, wireless network assessments, social-engineering testing, and IDS/IPS/Antivirus evasion techniques.
  • Utilize knowledge of operating systems, networking protocols, firewalls, databases, firmware, middleware, applications, forensic analysis, scripting, and programming to perform adversarial based security engagements.
  • Develop comprehensive and accurate reports and presentations for both technical and executive audiences.
  • Mentor and lead junior technical operators and clearly translate highly technical information to senior management in a way that supports mission goals.
  • Help define the Red Team strategy to further enhance the organization’s security posture.
  • Effectively communicate findings and strategy to client stakeholders including technical staff, executive leadership, and legal counsel.
  • Provide risk-appropriate and pragmatic recommendations to correct vulnerabilities found.
  • Configure and safely utilize attacker tools, tactics, and procedures to improve the security posture of mission systems.
  • Develop scripts, tools, or methodologies to enhance the Red Team processes.
  • Mentor and lead junior Red Team Operators.
Qualifications
  • High School Diploma/GED, Associates Degree and 15 years of work experience or Associate's Degree and 12 years of work experience or Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of work experience or Master's Degree and 5 years of work experience.
  • Experience in network penetration testing and manipulation of network infrastructure.
  • Experience in shell scripting or automation of simple tasks using Perl, Python, or Ruby.
  • Experience developing, extending, or modifying exploits, shellcode or exploit tools.
  • Experience with Red, Blue, or Purple teaming exercises.
  • Working knowledge of exfiltration and lateral movement tradecraft.
  • Working knowledge of OSINT collection/ reconnaissance techniques for target selection.
  • Strong attention to detail with analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Knowledge of tools used for web application and network security testing, such as Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp suite, Cobalt Strike, Bloodhound, Powershell Empire, Nessus, Web Inspect, NMAP, Nikto, Sqlmap, etc.
  • 8570 Level 3 IAT certification.
Desired Qualifications
  • A degree in a technical field (Computer Science, IT Engineering, etc).
  • Solid understanding of common hosting environments such as containerization platforms (e.g., Docker and Kubernetes) and virtual machines running under hypervisors.
  • Experience with source code review for control flow and security flaws.
  • An implementation level familiarity with all common classes of modern exploitation such as: XSS, XMLi, SQLi, Deserialization Attacks, etc.
  • Thorough understanding of network protocols, data on the wire, and covert channels.
  • Mastery of Unix/Linux/Mac/Windows operating systems, including bash and Powershell.
  • Experience in mobile and/or web application assessments.
  • Experience in email, phone, or physical social-engineering assessments.
  • Programming skills as well as the ability to read and assess applications written in multiple languages, such as JAVA, .NET, C#, or others.
  • Emulate ransomware and advanced persistent threats (APT) in support of Threat Hunt.
  • Industry certifications such as OSCP/OSCE, OSWE, GPEN, GCIH, GWAPT, or GXPN.
Why Join Cyber Defense Technologies?

At CDT, we offer a collaborative and inclusive work environment where your expertise in Red Team Operator can help shape the future of cybersecurity and engineering solutions.

Compensation and Benefits
  • Competitive salary based on experience.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
  • Salary: $160,000 - $210,000
#J-18808-Ljbffr