Penetration Tester

Synergize Consulting Ltd; Warton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the United Kingdom is looking for an experienced DV-cleared Penetration Tester to conduct security assurance activities in a defence and aerospace environment. The role includes managing testing scopes, performing manual and automated testing, and producing detailed reports on findings. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in secure environments and the ability to communicate threats effectively. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to critical security posture enhancements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Penetration Tester in secure or regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of network, infrastructure, and system testing.
• Ability to communicate technical risk clearly to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define and manage penetration testing scopes and boundaries.
• Produce clear, high-quality penetration testing reports.
• Support remediation validation and re-testing activities.

Skills

Penetration Testing

OSINT

Vulnerability Scanning

Manual Exploitation Techniques

Communication Skills

Job description

We are seeking an experienced DV-cleared Penetration Tester to support security assurance and offensive testing activities within a high-assurance defence and aerospace environment. This role involves conducting controlled penetration testing against sensitive systems, directly supporting security posture, accreditation, and assurance objectives.

Role Overview

• Define and manage penetration testing scopes and boundaries
• Map system and network architectures to identify attack surfaces
• Identify exposed services, endpoints, and potential weaknesses
• Gather and analyse OSINT to inform realistic attack scenarios
• Perform manual and automated penetration testing, including vulnerability scanning
• Validate misconfigurations and security weaknesses through controlled exploitation
• Document attack paths, exploit chains, and real-world impact
• Assess overall risk exposure and contribute to assurance decisions

Reporting & Assurance

• Produce clear, high-quality penetration testing reports with risk ratings and remediation guidance
• Support remediation validation and re-testing activities
• Maintain and update security accreditation evidence
• Package testing artefacts and deliverables for governance and assurance review
• Contribute to security reviews, working groups, and assurance discussions

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Penetration Tester in secure or regulated environments
• Strong knowledge of network, infrastructure, and system testing
• Experience with OSINT, vulnerability scanning tools, and manual exploitation techniques
• Ability to communicate technical risk clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience working within defence, aerospace, or high-assurance environments
• DV clearance - current and transferable prior to a start, due to the nature of the project