Internal Penetration Tester

A-LIGN External; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan with Employer Matching

Competitive Bonus Structure

Generous Paid Time Off

Certification Reimbursement

Employer Paid Life Insurance and STD

Job summary

Pathfynder by A-LIGN seeks an Internal Penetration Tester to conduct internal network and cloud-based SaaS security testing. You will identify and exploit vulnerabilities, document evidence, and provide remediation guidance for client engagements.

You will report to the Director of Internal Offensive Operations and work with a fast-paced, remote-friendly security team to improve tool use, testing methods, and knowledge sharing. A strong background in offensive security is required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on offensive security experience, including internal network and cloud testing.
• Experience applying current tactics, techniques, and procedures related to EDR bypass, lateral movement, and privilege escalation.
• Preferred red team or purple team penetration testing experience.
• Preferred wireless penetration testing experience.

Responsibilities

• Execute internal network and cloud-based SaaS penetration testing engagements.
• Identify, validate, and manually exploit vulnerabilities using public exploits, custom-developed exploits, or a combination of techniques.
• Evaluate findings in context, explore realistic attack paths, and accurately assess business and technical risk.
• Deliver clear, accurate, client-ready reports that explain findings, evidence, and actionable remediation guidance.
• Communicate technical issues, testing results, and remediation recommendations to client stakeholders.
• Maintain project quality and timelines while executing assigned engagements with minimal oversight.
• Collaborate with the offensive security team to evaluate industry tools, improve delivery methods, and share technical knowledge.
• Mentor team members and contribute to the continued development of team capabilities.

Skills

Offensive security

AD attack paths

Lateral movement

Privilege escalation

Communication skills

Client-facing reporting

Education

Degree in cybersecurity or related field

Tools

Nmap

BloodHound

Impacket

Metasploit

Wireshark

Nessus

Job description

The Internal Penetration Tester works to execute offensive security activities for Pathfynder by A-LIGN. In this role, you will be responsible for the delivery of internal network and cloud-based SaaS penetration testing engagements. As the Internal Penetration Tester, you will provide exceptional technical and client-focused testing strategies to help support the continued growth of our fast-paced company. A-LIGN will depend on you as the Internal Penetration Tester to independently identify and validate real-world security risks, manually exploit vulnerabilities, document findings, and communicate practical remediation guidance to clients.

Reports to

Director, Internal Offensive Operations

Pay Classification

Full-Time, Exempt

Responsibilities

• Execute internal network and cloud-based SaaS penetration testing engagements
• Identify, validate, and manually exploit vulnerabilities using public exploits, custom-developed exploits, or a combination of techniques
• Evaluate findings in context, explore realistic attack paths, and accurately assess business and technical risk
• Deliver clear, accurate, client-ready reports that explain findings, evidence, and actionable remediation guidance
• Communicate technical issues, testing results, and remediation recommendations to client stakeholders
• Maintain project quality and timelines while executing assigned engagements with minimal oversight
• Collaborate with the offensive security team to evaluate industry tools, improve delivery methods, and share technical knowledge
• Mentor team members and contribute to the continued development of team capabilities

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Degree in cybersecurity, computer information systems, related discipline or equivalent professional

EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of hands-on offensive security experience, including at least 3 years focused on internal network, Active Directory, red team, or purple team penetration testing
• Experience with network and system exploitation across enterprise environments
• Knowledge of penetration testing methodologies and current offensive security practices
• Experience applying current tactics, techniques, and procedures related to EDR bypass, lateral movement, and privilege escalation
• Preferredred team or purple team penetration testing experience
• Preferred wireless penetration testing experience
• Preferred consulting or client-facing security delivery experience

CERTIFICATIONS

• Preferred OSCP, CEH, or OSEP certification.
• Preferred additional advanced certifications relevant to internal network, Active Directory, red team, or cloud security testing

SKILLS

• Passion for information security and identifying exploitable vulnerabilities before threat actors can take advantage of them.
• Ability to discover and exploit complex vulnerabilities while maintaining a disciplined and repeatable approach to testing.
• Knowledge of Active Directory attack paths, network exploitation, lateral movement, privilege escalation, and defence evasion techniques.
• Proficiency with commonly used offensive security tools such as Nmap, BloodHound, the Impacket suite, Metasploit, Wireshark, and Nessus.
• Knowledge of multiple penetration testing concentrations and the ability to select appropriate methodologies and tools.
• Ability to write clear, concise, client-ready reports with accurate findings and actionable remediation guidance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical risks to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, remote environment while meeting deadlines.
• Continuous desire to grow technical capabilities, improve delivery efficiency, and share knowledge with team members and clients.
• Cloud architecture knowledge across AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform is preferred.
• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Employer Paid Life Insurance and Disability Insurance
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with Employer Matching
• Competitive Bonus Structure
• Certification Reimbursement
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Office Closure December 25-January 1
• Vacation Bonus
• Summer Hours

About Pathfynder by A-LIGN

Pathfynder by A-LIGN is a technology-enabled cybersecurity company providing offensive and defensive cybersecurity services under A-LIGN, a security and compliance partner trusted by more than 2,400 global organisations to help mitigate cybersecurity risks. We work with organisations ranging from small businesses to global enterprises, with services spanning SOC, Penetration Testing, PCI DSS, HITRUST, ISO, and privacy compliance. Our proprietary compliance management platform is transforming the compliance experience by enabling an anytime, anywhere approach to audits. To learn more, visit A-LIGN.com.

A-LIGN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, women, disabled individuals, and veterans are encouraged to apply.