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Security Penetration Testing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 5+ years of experience in security applications and systems Minimum of 5 years of Information Security Engineer/Consultant experience with application penetration testing.

Qualifications โ€ข Minimum of 5 years of Information Security Engineer/Consultant experience with application penetration testing. โ€ข Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience with automated ...

Lead and perform advanced security assessments, including hands-on penetration testing of systems and applications. * Identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and deliver clear, actionable remediation ...

Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

In lieu of a degree, 4 years of additional IT security or penetration testing experience may be considered. * Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ...

In lieu of a degree, 4 years of additional IT security or penetration testing experience may be considered. * Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ...

In lieu of a degree, 4 years of additional IT security or penetration testing experience may be considered. * Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience. * Possess one of the following ...

Lead and perform advanced security assessments, including hands-on penetration testing of systems and applications. * Identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and deliver clear, actionable remediation ...

Senior Penetration Tester

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field; or 5+ years of equivalent job experience in penetration testing * 4+ years of professional services experience ...

New

Stay up-to-date on the latest security threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques. * Research and evaluate new penetration testing tools and methodologies. * Develop custom tools and scripts to ...

Penetration Tester

Quantico, VA ยท On-site

$130K - $147K/yr

Stay up-to-date on the latest security threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques. * Research and evaluate new penetration testing tools and methodologies. * Develop custom tools and scripts to ...

Showing results 21-40

Security Penetration Testing information

See salary details

$61.5K

$152.8K

$205.5K

How much do security penetration testing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for security penetration testing in the United States is $152,773.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,000.00 and $158,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Security Penetration Tester, you need a solid understanding of network security, operating systems, and ethical hacking, usually supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, and certifications such as OSCP or CEH are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set standout professionals apart in this role. These skills and qualifications are vital for identifying vulnerabilities, communicating risks, and helping organizations strengthen their security posture.

What is security penetration testing?

Security penetration testing, also known as pen testing, is a simulated cyberattack conducted on a computer system, network, or web application to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. The goal is to proactively find security weaknesses before malicious actors do, helping organizations strengthen their defenses. Penetration testers use a combination of automated tools and manual techniques to mimic real-world attack scenarios. The results are documented in a report, which includes recommendations for improving security.

What is the difference between Security Penetration Testing vs Security Analyst?

AspectSecurity Penetration TestingSecurity Analyst
CertificationsOSCP, CEH, GPENCISSP, Security+
Work EnvironmentProject-based, technical testingMonitoring, incident response
Primary FocusIdentifying vulnerabilities through simulated attacksMonitoring security systems and analyzing threats
Employer & Industry UsageCybersecurity firms, IT departmentsCorporate, government, finance sectors

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, Security Penetration Testing involves actively probing systems for vulnerabilities through simulated attacks, whereas Security Analysts monitor and analyze security threats to protect organizational assets. Both roles require relevant certifications and are essential for comprehensive cybersecurity defense.

Is security penetration testing a good career?

Security penetration testing is a growing field within cybersecurity that involves identifying vulnerabilities in systems and networks. It offers high demand for skilled professionals, competitive salaries, and opportunities for continuous learning with certifications like OSCP or CEH. However, it requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and often involves working in high-pressure environments.

What are some common challenges security penetration testers face when conducting assessments in large organizations?

Security Penetration Testers often encounter challenges such as navigating complex network environments, obtaining the necessary permissions to test sensitive systems, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders to minimize business disruptions. Additionally, they must stay updated with evolving security threats and technologies to ensure their testing methods remain effective. Effective communication and clear reporting are also crucial, as conveying findings to both technical and non-technical audiences can directly impact remediation efforts and overall security posture.
More about Security Penetration Testing jobs
What cities are hiring for Security Penetration Testing jobs? Cities with the most Security Penetration Testing job openings:
What states have the most Security Penetration Testing jobs? States with the most job openings for Security Penetration Testing jobs include:
Infographic showing various Security Penetration Testing job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,773 per year, or $73.4 per hour.

Penetration Tester (RELOCATION BONUS AVAILABLE) - Ogden,UT

Dark Wolf Solutions

Ogden, UT โ€ข Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Dark Wolf is looking for a 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 is a hybrid role based on Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, UT. Relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses up to $25,000 are available, commensurate on skillset and experience level.

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.

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.

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.