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Remote Penetration Tester Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Jr Cyber Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$66K - $106K/yr

Support the Penetration Testing (Red Cell) Team. * Assess the current state of the customer's system security by identifying all vulnerabilities and security measures. * Help customer perform ...

Support the Penetration Testing (Red Cell) Team. * Assess the current state of the customer's system security by identifying all vulnerabilities and security measures. * Help customer perform ...

... a remote setting, you will be supporting teams of professionals working to evaluate and secure a ... Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE) * Cybersecurity Analyst+ (CySA+) * Federal IT Securit ...

... a remote setting, you will be supporting teams of professionals working to evaluate and secure a ... Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE) * Cybersecurity Analyst+ (CySA+) * Federal IT Securit ...

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Showing results 1-20

Remote Penetration Tester information

See Virginia salary details

$22.3K

$118.9K

$167.1K

How much do remote penetration tester jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote penetration tester in Virginia is $118,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,200.00 and $139,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote penetration tester?

A Remote Penetration Tester is a cybersecurity professional who evaluates the security of computer systems, networks, and applications by simulating cyberattacks from a remote location. Their goal is to identify vulnerabilities that malicious hackers could exploit and to provide recommendations for strengthening security. Working remotely, they use specialized tools and techniques to conduct assessments without being physically present at the client’s site. This role often involves preparing detailed reports and collaborating with IT teams to remediate identified risks.

What does a remote penetration tester do?

Remote penetration testers attempt to hack into an application, network, or computer to assess its security. Instead of working in the office, remote penetration testers complete their tasks from home or another location outside of the office with internet connectivity. As a remote penetration tester, you discuss the security concerns your client may have about their current computer system and develop ways to infiltrate the security of a network or computer hardware using the internet as a pathway. Other job duties may include documenting how you broke through a company's network security and providing recommendations for augmenting the protection of company files. Because of their hacking expertise, some remote penetration testers may be called in to help investigate cyber crimes in criminal cases.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote penetration tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Penetration Tester, you need strong knowledge of cybersecurity principles, network protocols, and operating systems, often supported by certifications like OSCP, CEH, or CISSP. Familiarity with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap, as well as secure remote collaboration platforms, is essential. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear written communication skills help you document findings and collaborate with clients and teams remotely. These competencies ensure you can effectively identify vulnerabilities, communicate risks, and help organizations strengthen their security posture from any location.

How does a remote penetration tester typically collaborate with in-house IT and security teams during an engagement?

Remote penetration testers often work closely with in-house IT and security teams through virtual meetings, secure communication platforms, and shared documentation. They coordinate to define testing scopes, clarify network boundaries, and discuss any findings in real time. Regular check-ins and status updates ensure transparency and alignment throughout the engagement. This collaborative approach helps address vulnerabilities promptly and fosters knowledge sharing between the remote tester and the organization’s internal teams.

What is the difference between Remote Penetration Tester vs Remote Security Analyst?

AspectRemote Penetration TesterRemote Security Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENCISSP, Security+
Work EnvironmentConducts simulated attacks, often independently or in teamsMonitors security systems, analyzes threats, and implements defenses
Employer & Industry UsageCybersecurity firms, consulting companies, large enterprisesCorporate IT departments, government agencies, financial institutions

Remote Penetration Testers focus on identifying vulnerabilities through simulated attacks, requiring offensive skills and certifications like OSCP or CEH. Remote Security Analysts monitor and defend networks, emphasizing defensive skills and certifications like CISSP. While both roles work remotely in cybersecurity, their core responsibilities and skill sets differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Penetration Tester jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Penetration Tester jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Remote Penetration Tester jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Remote Penetration Tester job openings:

Infographic showing various Remote Penetration Tester job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,866 per year, or $57.1 per hour.

Penetration Tester (Part Time & Remote)

TestPros

Sterling, VA • On-site, Remote

$50 - $85/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

TestPros delivers innovative independent IT assessment solutions to critical challenges facing the nation and the world. We support the U.S. Federal Government and Commercial clients within the continental USA. TestPros is dedicated to making lives better, safer and more secure.
TestPros is looking for an experienced Penetration Testers to support our IT Security consulting work for various Commercial and Federal consulting services projects.
Start: Future projects late 2026 or 2027 (not an immediate job opening)
Type: Part-time consulting
Overview
This role is responsible for the successful delivery of penetration testing in both classic hosted and also in cloud hosted environments. In this role, the selected candidate will work with our client's product development teams to plan for, execute, and report on the results of penetration testing. You must be delivery and efficiency focused, with the ability to manage all aspects of a consulting project to include requirements analysis, bid and proposal development, resource planning, process improvement, and customer relationship management. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment where personal responsibility and open, direct, respectful communications are highly valued.
Responsibilities:
  • Conduct complete penetration tests, report on results, and provide improvement recommendations
  • Ensure customer satisfaction through the delivery of high-quality consulting services across a portfolio of commercial and federal government projects
  • Ability to elicit and understand customer requirements and covert those requirements into a technical services solution
  • Ability to accurately estimate time and cost for each project
  • Foster an environment of continuous learning, innovation and excellence
  • Work closely with development teams, product managers, and customer success teams to ensure successful delivery of consulting services or product implementation projects and remove roadblocks
  • Develop, review and approve formal statements of work, change requests, and proposals
  • Formulate timely reports and documentation to track progress
  • Effectively collaborate with peers and company leadership to accomplish team, corporate and client objectives
  • Answer developer, designer, and content contributor questions about IT Security requirements.
Experience Requirements:
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in penetration testing
  • Desired certifications - Security+, CEH, GPEN, OSCP, AWS, or equivalent
  • Understanding of OWASP Top 10 and "industry best practices" for penetration testing
  • Understanding of all aspects of Penetration Testing with an emphasis on white box testing, black box testing, internal networks, external networks, web applications, and application/code review
  • Understanding of Pen Test methods such as Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM), Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), FedRAMP Penetration Test Guide, NIST, etc.
  • Proficient with the command line interface of multiple operating systems - Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.
  • Solid understanding of manual scripting and scripting languages- ex. Python, Bash, PowerShell, C/C++, etc.
  • Proficient with using commercial and open source penetration testing tools - ex. Metasploit, Nikto, SQLMAP, Responder, Nessus, Netcat, Burp Suite, etc.
  • Conduct and document vulnerability scans and penetration testing on web-based applications and their underlying hosts
  • Proven ability to perform computer network vulnerability assessment and penetration testing
  • Understanding of risk planning and mitigation strategies
  • Ability to prepare and present documents and briefing materials
  • Advise on new threats to the technologies and environment and provide mitigation steps when applicable
  • Provide security guidance on design, deployment, and architecture of web-based and cloud hosted applications.
  • Participate in technical discussions and collaborate with team members
  • Exceptional communication skills - both orally and written
  • Strong customer service skills
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks at once, while still paying attention to detail
  • A strong work ethic and self-starter attitude, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience and advance

Rate: $50-85/hr (1099 or Corp. To Corp.). This range represents a good-faith estimate and is not a guarantee; final compensation is determined by factors such as experience, qualifications, and government contract labor rate requirements and may fall outside the stated range.
Equal Opportunity Employer
TestPros is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.
Offer Considerations
TestPros considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.
Federal Compliance
As a federal contractor, TestPros is subject to all federal and state mandates and/or other customer requirements.