Defense Cyber Penetration Tester & Threat Hunter

Leidos; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking an experienced Penetration Tester to support the DMDC CyberPRIMES program in Alexandria, VA. The role involves government-directed penetration testing and threat-hunting across DHRA systems, networks, and applications to identify exploitable weaknesses and improve defenses.

The candidate will develop assessment plans, execute testing, and coordinate findings with system owners and SOC personnel, while applying NIST SP 800-115 methodologies and maintaining sensitive testing data

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 4–8 years of relevant experience.
• Experience conducting penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, threat hunting, or comparable cybersecurity assessment activities.
• Experience assessing enterprise networks, systems, applications, web applications, or code for exploitable cybersecurity weaknesses.
• Experience using commercial or open-source penetration-testing and offensive-security tools.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to stakeholders.
• U.S. Citizenship required and active Secret security clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Government-selected penetration-testing assessments and threat-hunting activities per DMDC procedures and NIST SP 800-115.
• Develop assessment plans, methodologies, and rules of engagement for target environments.
• Execute authorized testing against networks, systems, applications, and code.
• Identify vulnerabilities and attack paths that could be exploited.
• Assess exploitability and mission impact of weaknesses.
• Coordinate findings with system owners, engineers, SOC, and incident responders.

Skills

Penetration testing

Threat hunting

Vulnerability assessment

Offensive security

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Leidos is seeking an experienced Penetration Tester to support the DMDC CyberPRIMES program in Alexandria, VA. The role involves government-directed penetration testing and threat-hunting across DHRA systems, networks, and applications to identify exploitable weaknesses and improve defenses.

The candidate will develop assessment plans, execute testing, and coordinate findings with system owners and SOC personnel, while applying NIST SP 800-115 methodologies and maintaining sensitive testing data