Senior Penetration Tester

Placements24; Kimberley; Hybrid; CAD 69,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Health benefits

Hybrid work

Learning opportunities

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Penetration Tester to join a cybersecurity team in a hybrid role based in Kimberley, Northern Cape. You will conduct in-depth security assessments of systems, networks, and applications, simulating real-world attacks to test controls and drive improvements.

You will lead complex testing efforts, mentor junior testers, and contribute to tooling and methodology development while staying current with vulnerability trends and exploit techniques.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years of penetration testing and vulnerability assessment experience.
• Deep knowledge of network protocols, operating systems and attack vectors.
• Proficiency with testing frameworks and tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark.
• Scripting skills (Python, PowerShell) for automation.
• Strong understanding of OWASP Top 10 and application security.

Responsibilities

• Perform penetration tests on web apps, networks, APIs, and mobile apps.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and security reviews.
• Simulate advanced threat scenarios (APTs).
• Use a broad set of testing tools and techniques.
• Analyze findings and provide actionable remediation guidance.
• Document findings clearly in professional reports.
• Collaborate with security and IT teams to validate findings.
• Stay updated on latest exploitation techniques and trends.
• Contribute to internal security tooling and methodologies.
• Mentor junior testers and share knowledge.

Skills

Penetration testing

Vulnerability assessment

Orange/blue team mindset

Team collaboration

Reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/InfoSec

Tools

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

Wireshark

PowerShell

Python

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Penetration Tester to join their elite cybersecurity team. This hybrid role, based in Kimberley, Northern Cape, offers a dynamic mix of remote flexibility and in-office synergy. You will be responsible for conducting in-depth security assessments of our client's systems, networks, and applications to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. The Senior Penetration Tester will play a critical role in simulating real-world attacks to test the effectiveness of security controls and provide actionable recommendations for improvement. This position demands a creative mindset, deep technical expertise, and a passion for offensive security. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in penetration testing and a strong understanding of attack methodologies. You will be essential in bolstering our client's defense capabilities and protecting against sophisticated threats.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive penetration tests on web applications, networks, APIs, and mobile applications.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and security reviews.
• Simulate advanced persistent threats (APTs) and other sophisticated attack scenarios.
• Utilize a wide range of penetration testing tools and techniques.
• Analyze security weaknesses and provide detailed, actionable remediation recommendations.
• Document findings clearly and concisely in professional reports.
• Collaborate with security and IT teams to validate findings and track remediation efforts.
• Stay current with the latest exploitation techniques, vulnerabilities, and security trends.
• Contribute to the development of internal security testing tools and methodologies.
• Mentor junior penetration testers and share knowledge.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
• In-depth knowledge of network protocols, operating systems, and common attack vectors.
• Proficiency with penetration testing frameworks (e.g., Metasploit) and tools (e.g., Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark).
• Experience in scripting languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell) for automation.
• Strong understanding of application security principles and common vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Relevant certifications such as OSCP, CEH, GPEN, or CISSP are highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• Hybrid work model offering a balance of flexibility and collaboration.
• Access to advanced security testing tools and resources.
• Engaging and challenging work environment.
• Retirement savings plan.