2

Remote Penetration Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Penetration Testing: Lead and oversee internal and external penetration testing engagements ... Remote US or Canada Compensation: Cohere is committed to fair and transparent pay practices. The ...

Senior Security Engineer, Platforms & AI

Oakland, CA · On-site +1

$132K - $181K/yr

As a remote-first company, we welcome applicants based anywhere in the United States or Canada. You ... Proactively search for weaknesses through vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, adversarial ...

Senior Cyber Security Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $179K/yr

Conduct and oversee penetration testing activities, coordinating third parties and providing ... Assess and secure third-party access (vendors, OEMs, remote maintenance channels) * Evaluate risks ...

Senior Cyber Security Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $179K/yr

Conduct and oversee penetration testing activities, coordinating third parties and providing ... Assess and secure third-party access (vendors, OEMs, remote maintenance channels) * Evaluate risks ...

If you're located beyond that distance, the role is fully remote. For location-specific details ... Strong software engineering background is more important here than classic penetration testing ...

Network Security Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$123K - $168K/yr

Oversee vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security reviews. * Prioritize and ... Architect secure, low-latency remote access and mesh VPN solutions for intra-fleet communication ...

Lead Engineer, AI Attack Simulation

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $159K/yr

... penetration testing, or control validation. * Strong proficiency in Go and experience with at least ... Fully Remote: We are a completely remote global team. Though we're distributed, we are intentional ...

Remote/Hybrid Description of Role: Gursey Schneider LLP is seeking an experienced IT Director to ... Coordinate security assessments, penetration testing, cybersecurity insurance requirements, and ...

Senior Security Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site +1

$134K - $184K/yr

Triage and drive remediation of vulnerabilities from SAST, DAST, SCA, and penetration testing in ... Standard office/remote work environment. Prolonged periods working at a computer. Occasional travel ...

Remote - United States Description We're looking for a Principal Product Manager to work on our ... Penetration Testing o SIEM and Security Data Lakes o Cloud Security (CNAPP, CSPM) o Endpoint ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Remote Penetration Testing information

See California salary details

$22.2K

$118.3K

$166.3K

How much do remote penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote penetration testing in California is $118,325.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,700.00 and $139,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is remote penetration testing?

Remote penetration testing is a security assessment process where cybersecurity professionals, also known as ethical hackers, attempt to find and exploit vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems, networks, or applications from an offsite location. This simulates a real-world cyberattack to help organizations identify and fix security weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them. Remote penetration testing is often conducted over the internet, making it a flexible and efficient option for businesses to assess their security posture without requiring onsite visits.

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

To thrive as a Remote Penetration Tester, you need a solid understanding of computer networks, cybersecurity principles, and common vulnerabilities, often supported by a degree in computer science or related certifications like OSCP or CEH. Familiarity with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and various operating systems is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear written communication skills help you effectively discover, document, and explain security findings to clients. These competencies are crucial for accurately identifying risks and helping organizations strengthen their security posture.

What are some common challenges faced by remote penetration testers, and how can they be addressed?

Remote penetration testers often encounter challenges such as limited access to physical infrastructure, varying levels of client preparedness, and potential communication barriers with on-site teams. To address these issues, it's important to establish clear communication channels, use secure remote access tools, and maintain detailed documentation of testing activities. Building strong relationships with client IT staff and staying up-to-date with remote testing best practices can also help ensure effective and successful engagements.

What is the difference between Remote Penetration Testing vs Vulnerability Assessment Specialist?

AspectRemote Penetration TestingVulnerability Assessment Specialist
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENOSCP, CEH, CISSP
Work EnvironmentHands-on testing, simulated attacksScanning, identifying vulnerabilities
Industry UsageCybersecurity firms, IT departmentsSecurity teams, consulting firms

Remote Penetration Testing involves actively exploiting vulnerabilities to assess security defenses, while Vulnerability Assessment Specialists focus on identifying and prioritizing security weaknesses without exploiting them. Both roles require similar certifications and often work in overlapping environments, but penetration testers perform more in-depth, simulated attack scenarios to evaluate security robustness.

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

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

What job categories do people searching Remote Penetration Testing jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Penetration Testing jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Remote Penetration Testing jobs?

Cities in California with the most Remote Penetration Testing job openings:

Infographic showing various Remote Penetration Testing job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,325 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

External Network Penetration Tester

Xtreme Solutions Inc

San Bernardino, CA • Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Description

Position Summary

Performs blind and intelligent penetration testing against internet-facing assets - web applications, firewalls, remote access (VPN/RDP), and internet postings - for all 47 County departments, attempting to obtain confidential/sensitive data using real-world threat intelligence-based techniques while evading detection.


Key Responsibilities

Conduct external network and web application penetration testing and vulnerability assessments per NIST SP 800-115 methodology.

Attempt to obtain ePHI, PII, financial data, and privileged communications from external sources without causing service disruption.

Document all findings with risk ratings, evidence, and remediation recommendations for the Assessment report.

Attempt to avoid detection and evade department response efforts during testing windows, as scoped.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

4+ years of hands-on external network / web application penetration testing experience.

Proficiency with industry-standard tools (Burp Suite, Nmap, Metasploit, or equivalent).

Strong understanding of OWASP Top 10 and common network attack vectors.


Preferred Qualifications

OSCP, GPEN, GWAPT, or CEH certification.

Experience testing government or healthcare-sector environments.


Travel

Fully remote; must remain within the continental United States.