Security Penetration Tester

Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Pension Scheme

Health & wellbeing benefits

Cycle to Work scheme

Life assurance

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Security Penetration Tester to support TVM solutions and vulnerability remediation across the IT estate. You will work with Digital teams to ensure mitigations are implemented and maintained, aiming for high security, compliance, and user experience.

The role requires CTC clearance or the ability to obtain it, and involves developing testing functions, conducting security reviews, and coordinating with stakeholders. Hybrid base in Reading with a 36-hour work pattern.

Qualifications

• Experience in manual penetration testing across networks and applications.
• Familiarity with industry-standard testing tools and methodologies.
• Ability to document findings clearly for non-technical stakeholders.
• CTC clearance or the ability to obtain it.

Responsibilities

• Support and develop an internal penetration testing function.
• Conduct network and application penetration testing and security reviews.
• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities with proof-of-concept testing.
• Support vulnerability management with identification, categorisation and mitigation.
• Develop and maintain penetration testing documentation, policies and procedures.
• Integrate cyber security solutions with existing systems, applications and infrastructure.
• Evaluate technologies, tools and vendors to meet business needs.
• Investigate identified cyber security vulnerabilities and provide mitigations.
• Coordinate with technology and business stakeholders on patching and vulnerability issues.
• Maintain a cyber threat assessment methodology aligned to industry standards.
• Support proactive threat hunting and threat intelligence dashboards.
• Contribute to GDPR, NIS and ISO 27001 compliance efforts.

Skills

Manual penetration testing

Tenable

Burp Suite

Kali Linux

Vulnerability management

Report writing

Job description

As a Security Penetration Tester, you will be responsible for supporting the design, implementation, and maintenance of TVM (Threat & Vulnerability Management) solutions, controls and processes across the organisation. You will be liaising with Digital teams to ensure appropriate mitigation and remediation of vulnerabilities detected across our IT estate.

This role requires an understanding of TVM concepts, technologies, and best practices, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and will be committed to ensuring the highest level of security, compliance, and user experience.

Security Clearance:

CTC (Counter Terrorist Check) clearance is essential. You must currently hold or be able to attain CTC clearance for this role.

What you’ll be doing as a Security Penetration Tester

• Help support and develop an internal penetration testing function.
• Conduct network, application penetration testing, code and security reviews.
• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities through proof-of-concept testing.
• Support vulnerability management across the enterprise, ensuring that a framework for identification, categorisation and mitigation exists and is implemented and maintained.
• Responsible for supporting the creation of the operating model for vulnerability management, that it is shared, agreed and operates effectively across the business.
• Develop and maintain penetration testing documentation, policies, and procedures.
• Integrate cyber security solutions (e.g. vulnerability scanning tools) with existing systems, applications, and infrastructure.
• Evaluate and recommend technologies, tools, and vendors to meet business needs.
• Investigate newly identified cyber security vulnerabilities and provide appropriate mitigation actions.
• Liaise and coordinate with technology and business stakeholders in relation to cyber security patching and vulnerability management issues/actions.
• Maintain a cyber threat assessment methodology, align to evolving industry standards and integrate into BAU and project-based business processes.
• Support with proactive threat hunting for new and emerging cyber threats.
• Develop and maintain dashboards with cyber security threat and vulnerability metrics.
• Support compliance with relevant industry standards, regulations, and best practices, such as GDPR, NIS and ISO 27001.

Base location – Hybrid – Clearwater Court Reading.

Working pattern – 36 hours Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role

• Strong knowledge of manual penetration testing techniques and confident with operating systems and tools such as Tenable, Burp Suite, Kalli Linux.
• Exposure to remediating vulnerabilities and patch management in a complex business environment.
• Experience in remediating cyber risks in the ever-changing digital estate.
• Experience in a penetration testing enterprise environment.
• Prepare detailed reports and the ability to present findings to key stakeholders.
• Cyber security industry certification(s) such as CSTM/ CRT/ OSCP/CTL.
• Understanding of different patching management techniques and approaches for different technology stacks (e.g. SaaS, IaaS, End-User Computing, Server Estate, etc.).
• Knowledge of TVM concepts, technologies, and best practices, including OSINT tools, vulnerability assessment, threat modelling, etc.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary of up to £72,000 per annum depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.