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Sr 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 ...

AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Senior Penetration Tester

Middletown, RI · On-site

$96.80 - $161.50/hr

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 ...

AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Software Engineer

Fredericksburg, VA · On-site

Responsibilities As a senior Software Developer with AMERICAN SYSTEMS, you will have an opporunity ... Worked and supported development environment with regression testing capabilities. * Provide ...

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 ...

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 ...

Jimmy Jazz

Senior Penetration Tester

Washington, DC · On-site

$140 - $200/hr

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 ...

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$22.5K

$119.9K

$168.5K

How much do sr penetration tester jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Penetration Tester?

To thrive as a Sr Penetration Tester, you need deep expertise in cybersecurity concepts, vulnerability assessment, network protocols, and often a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, Kali Linux, and certifications such as OSCP or CEH are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and clear communication skills set top performers apart by enabling them to convey complex findings effectively. These skills and qualifications are critical for identifying security weaknesses, providing actionable insights, and helping organizations protect vital assets from cyber threats.

What is a Sr Penetration Tester?

A Sr Penetration Tester is an experienced cybersecurity professional responsible for simulating cyberattacks on computer systems, networks, and applications to identify vulnerabilities and assess security risks. They use a combination of manual and automated techniques to discover weaknesses that could be exploited by real attackers. Senior penetration testers also provide detailed reports and recommendations to help organizations strengthen their security posture. Their expertise is often leveraged in developing security policies, training junior staff, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

What is the difference between Sr Penetration Tester vs Penetration Tester?

AspectSr Penetration TesterPenetration Tester
CertificationsOSCP, CISSP, CEH, GPENOSCP, CEH, GPEN
Experience3+ years, leadership roles1-2 years, entry to mid-level
Work EnvironmentComplex projects, team leadershipAssisting in testing, learning
ResponsibilitiesAdvanced testing, mentoring, reportingExecuting penetration tests, basic reporting

The main difference between a Sr Penetration Tester and a Penetration Tester lies in experience, certifications, and responsibilities. Senior testers handle complex projects, lead teams, and mentor others, while penetration testers focus on executing tests and gaining hands-on experience. Both roles require relevant certifications like OSCP and CEH, but senior roles demand more experience and leadership skills.

How does a Sr Penetration Tester typically collaborate with development and IT teams during security assessments?

A Sr Penetration Tester frequently works alongside development and IT teams to share findings, clarify potential vulnerabilities, and recommend effective remediation strategies. Throughout security assessments, testers often participate in debrief meetings, provide detailed reports, and answer technical questions to ensure that remediation efforts are well understood and prioritized. This role requires strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to foster trust and ensure security improvements are implemented efficiently.
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Sr Penetration Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sr Penetration Tester job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 10% 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

Posted 26 days ago

GovCIO rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

109th of 224 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.

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