ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Penetration Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Govcio LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$124K - $180K/yr

Responsibilities The Senior Penetration Tester serves as Key Personnel responsible for leading advanced penetration testing and vulnerability assessment activities within a TS/SCI environment. This ...

Analygence

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · Hybrid

Tharros is seeking a Senior Penetration Testing, Software Assurance and Vulnerability Assessment Engineer to support a DHS Intelligence and Analysis cybersecurity program in the National Capital ...

Goldbelt, Inc.

Senior Penetration Tester

$90K - $150K/yr

The Senior Penetration Tester will independently perform penetration testing of applications, systems and enclaves Identifies security flaws in computing platforms and applications and devise ...

Goldbelt, Inc.

Senior Penetration Tester

$90K - $150K/yr

The Senior Penetration Tester will independently perform penetration testing of applications, systems and enclaves Identifies security flaws in computing platforms and applications and devise ...

Analygence

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

Description Tharros is seeking a Senior Penetration Testing, Software Assurance and Vulnerability Assessment Engineer to support a DHS Intelligence and Analysis cybersecurity program in the National ...

Goldbelt, Inc.

Senior Penetration Tester

$90K - $150K/yr

The Senior Penetration Tester will independently perform penetration testing of applications, systems and enclaves Identifies security flaws in computing platforms and applications and devise ...

Amyx, Inc.

Sr. Penetration Tester

Overview Amyx is seeking a Sr. Penetration Tester for our DOD client to work remotely. Responsibilities * Independently performs penetration testing of applications, systems and enclaves Identifies ...

AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Senior Penetration Tester

Middletown, RI · On-site

$118K - $128K/yr

Responsibilities As a SENIOR PENETRATION TESTER with AMERICAN SYSTEMS you will have the opportunity to do the following: * Penetration Testing: Plan, execute, and report on penetration tests and ...

Quzara LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$145K - $180K/yr

Senior Penetration Tester Pay Type : SALARIED EXEMPT Location : Hybrid, Washington, DC US Citizenship : Required Summary of Position Role/Responsibilities Quzara LLC, a SBA Certified WOSB, EDWOSB ...

Foxhole Technology

Senior Penetration Tester

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

... Senior Pen Tester will: * Ensure all staff are trained and knowledgeable of the penetration testing tools and in the ability to assess penetration testing findings * Conduct penetration tests with ...

CoStar

Senior Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA

Senior Penetration Tester Overview CoStar Group is a leading global provider of commercial and residential real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces. Included in the S&P 500 Index ...

CoStar Group

Senior Penetration Tester

Arlington, VA · On-site

Senior Penetration Tester Overview CoStar Group is a leading global provider of commercial and residential real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces. Included in the S&P 500 Index ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPenetration Tester JobsSenior Penetration Tester Jobs

Senior Penetration Tester information

See salary details

$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do senior penetration tester jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior penetration tester in the United States is $119,895.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,000.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest salary for a penetration tester?

Senior penetration testers can earn salaries up to $150,000 or more annually, especially with advanced certifications like OSCP or CISSP and extensive experience. Top earners in the field working for large organizations or in high-cost regions may exceed this range, reflecting the high demand for cybersecurity skills.

What is a Senior Penetration Tester job?

A Senior Penetration Tester is a cybersecurity expert responsible for simulating cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in networks, applications, and systems. They conduct advanced security assessments, exploit potential weaknesses, and provide recommendations to strengthen defenses. This role often involves leading penetration testing projects, mentoring junior testers, and collaborating with security teams to improve an organization's overall security posture. Strong knowledge of ethical hacking methodologies, security tools, and industry standards is essential.

Will pentesters be replaced by AI?

Senior penetration testers perform manual and automated security assessments to identify vulnerabilities, and while AI tools can assist in detecting certain issues, they cannot fully replace the critical thinking, creativity, and contextual understanding required for comprehensive security testing. Human expertise remains essential for interpreting results and adapting to evolving threats.

Is 40 too old for cyber security?

Age is not a barrier to becoming a senior penetration tester or working in cybersecurity. Many professionals successfully transition into cybersecurity roles later in their careers by gaining relevant certifications like OSCP or CISSP and developing technical skills. Experience, continuous learning, and adaptability are often more important than age in this field.

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

Senior penetration testers with extensive experience, advanced certifications like OSCP or CISSP, and specialized skills in areas such as exploit development can potentially earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-demand markets or consulting roles. However, such compensation is uncommon and typically requires a combination of seniority, reputation, and working for top-tier firms or as independent consultants.

What are some of the primary challenges a Senior Penetration Tester faces on the job?

Senior Penetration Testers often face the challenge of keeping up with rapidly evolving attack techniques and new technologies, which requires continuous learning and adaptation. They may also encounter complex, layered security environments that demand creative problem-solving and in-depth technical testing. Additionally, articulating technical findings to non-technical stakeholders and ensuring effective remediation can be challenging but is a critical part of the role. Collaborating closely with IT, development, and compliance teams is essential to implement security best practices and drive meaningful improvements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Senior Penetration Tester position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Penetration Tester, you need advanced expertise in network, application, and cloud security, along with experience in vulnerability assessment and ethical hacking methodologies, usually supported by a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology, or a related field. Knowledge of tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and industry certifications like OSCP or CISSP are commonly expected. Outstanding analytical thinking, attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to mentor junior team members are crucial soft skills in this position. These abilities are essential for accurately identifying security risks, effectively communicating findings, and ensuring robust organizational security through collaborative teamwork.

More about Senior Penetration Tester jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Penetration Tester jobs? Cities with the most Senior Penetration Tester job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Penetration Tester jobs? The most popular types of Penetration Tester jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Penetration Tester jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Penetration Tester jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Penetration Tester jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Penetration Tester jobs are:
Senior Penetration Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Penetration Tester job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.
Senior Penetration Tester

Senior Penetration Tester

Govcio LLC

Washington, DC • On-site

$124K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

GovCIO rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

111th of 230 rated it services

Job description

GovCIO is currently hiring for a Senior Pentration Tester with an active TS/SCI clearance to support DHS onsite in Washington, DC.
Responsibilities
The Senior Penetration Tester serves as Key Personnel responsible for leading advanced penetration testing and vulnerability assessment activities within a TS/SCI environment. This role ensures mission-critical security assurance across enterprise systems, applications, and cloud infrastructures by applying deep technical expertise, zero-trust principles, and attacker-focused methodologies. The Senior Penetration Tester guides technical direction, ensures rigorous execution, and provides authoritative recommendations to strengthen security posture across sensitive environments.
  • Lead, plan, and oversee penetration testing operations for systems, networks, cloud resources, and web-based applications in a TS/SCI environment
  • Execute comprehensive vulnerability assessments and software assurance evaluations; authoritatively document findings and drive remediation strategies
  • Conduct deep technical analysis of vulnerabilities including buffer overflows, SQL injection, CSRF, XSS, race conditions (TOCTOU), XXE, encryption weaknesses, authentication bypass, and similar issues
  • Assess and advise on security considerations during software acceptance activities, including criteria definition, risk acceptance evaluation, documentation review, and independent validation approaches
  • Apply advanced security defense functions (encryption, access control, identity management) to reduce exploitation risks, including those related to supply chain considerations
  • Provide threat intelligence insights and vulnerability research aligned with frameworks such as NIST 800-53 and MITRE ATT&CK to inform cloud security architecture decisions
  • Develop new or enhanced penetration testing methodologies to identify emerging vulnerabilities and expand organizational capability
  • Serve as a senior technical advisor and mentor to penetration testing staff; ensure consistency, quality, and rigor in testing execution
  • Represent the penetration testing function in discussions with leadership, engineering teams, and mission stakeholders as required for Key Personnel roles

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's with 12+ years of penetration testing experience (or commensurate experience)
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience supporting enterprise security architectures and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
  • Proven, extensive experience as a Penetration Tester in complex or classified environments
  • Advanced knowledge of penetration testing methodologies, offensive security techniques, and industry tools
  • Experience with AWS, Azure, RHEL, Linux, and Tenable
  • Hands-on experience with tools including Kali Linux, Burp Suite Pro, and Metasploit
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to think like an attacker
  • Excellent communication skills to deliver clear, actionable findings to both technical and executive stakeholders
  • Preferred certifications: CEH, OSCP, or equivalent offensive security certifications
  • Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI clearance

Posted Salary Range
USD $124,540.00 - USD $180,000.00 /Yr.

What GovCIO employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply