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Senior Penetration Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Govcio LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$124K - $180K/yr

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 ...

Govcio LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$124K - $180K/yr

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 ...

Quzara LLC

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

Senior Penetration Tester Pay Type : SALARIED EXEMPT Location : Hybrid, Washington, DC US Citizenship : Required Summary of Position Role/Responsibilities The Senior Penetration Tester will lead and ...

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 ...

ClearFocus Technologies

MD

We are seeking a Senior Penetration Tester for a Part-time opportunity. This opportunity requires travel to throughout the DMV area. The Senior Penetration Tester serves as a technical lead ...

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 ...

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Senior Penetration Tester information

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do senior penetration tester jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 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 a senior penetration tester?

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.

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

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.

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.

Are senior penetration testers high in demand?

Senior penetration testers are in high demand due to increasing cybersecurity threats and the need for advanced security assessments. Organizations seek experienced professionals with skills in tools like Kali Linux, Metasploit, and knowledge of network vulnerabilities, often requiring relevant certifications such as OSCP or CISSP.
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Senior Penetration Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Penetration Tester job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 57% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 41% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,895 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Senior Penetration Tester

Govcio LLC

Washington, DC • On-site

$124K - $180K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

GovCIO rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

109th of 226 rated it services

Job description

Overview:

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.

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