Lead Penetration Tester & Team Lead (NV1)

NW People; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

NW People is seeking experienced Lead Penetration Testers to support a large Federal Government agency, with NV1 clearance. You will lead complex security testing, identify vulnerabilities, and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen security.

This role combines hands-on delivery with team leadership, stakeholder engagement and mentoring. Positions available in Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide, with an initial onsite period and hybrid arrangements thereafter.

Qualifications

• NV1 clearance mandatory for the role.
• Extensive hands-on penetration testing across complex systems.
• Experience delivering tests independently and leading testing teams.
• Forensics experience and basic incident response skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead penetration testing and vulnerability assessments across web, mobile, and enterprise infrastructure.
• Conduct complex threat simulations to test security controls.
• Develop, review and approve testing plans, scopes and methodologies.
• Analyse findings and communicate business risks with remediation priorities.
• Coordinate with system owners to validate remediation and testing.
• Review technical reports and provide security advice to stakeholders.
• Coach testers and coordinate team priorities and workloads.

Skills

Penetration testing

Vulnerability assessments

Threat simulations

Team leadership

Security reporting

Mentoring staff

Education

NV1 clearance (mandatory)

CREST/ CHECK / GIAC / CEH / CompTIA PenTest+ certifications

Job description

NW People is seeking experienced Lead Penetration Testers to support a large Federal Government agency, with NV1 clearance. You will lead complex security testing, identify vulnerabilities, and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen security.

This role combines hands-on delivery with team leadership, stakeholder engagement and mentoring. Positions available in Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide, with an initial onsite period and hybrid arrangements thereafter.