Lead Penetration Test Engineer

spgi; Princeton (NJ); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SPGI is seeking a Lead Penetration Test Engineer to drive offensive security across web, cloud, and infrastructure. Hybrid role with on-site days at multiple US sites, including Princeton.

You will conduct penetration tests, re-tests, vulnerability assessments, and threat modeling, and you’ll lead attack simulations, craft clear remediation guidance, and brief executives on risk and security posture.

Qualifications

• 8+ years information security with focus on penetration testing, application security, and vulnerability management.
• Hands-on with penetration testing tools (Burp Suite, Nessus, Metasploit, Nmap) and methodologies (OWASP Top 10, MITRE ATT&CK, PTES).
• Expertise in identifying and exploiting common vulnerabilities (XSS, SQLi, IDOR).
• Strong scripting/programming skills (Bash, Python, PowerShell, JavaScript).
• Ability to translate findings into clear, actionable reports for teams and executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead penetration tests across web, infrastructure, and cloud environments.
• Develop scripts and methodologies to enhance testing within CI/CD pipelines.
• Perform DAST, SAST, and SCA assessments and coordinate remediation.
• Lead attack simulations and threat assessments with cross-functional teams.
• Communicate findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders and provide remediation guidance.

Skills

Penetration Testing

Vulnerability Assessments

Cloud Security

Scripting

CI/CD Security

Threat Modeling

Communication

OWASP Top 10

MITRE ATT&CK

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS

Tools

Burp Suite

Nessus

Metasploit

Nmap

Job description

About the Role

Grade Level (for internal use): 12 S&P Global Corporate

The Role: Lead Penetration Test Engineer

Location: Hybrid 2 days per week onsite on one of our following sites:
US: Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, Englewood, CO, Raleigh, NC, Princeton, NJ, New York, NY, Southfield, MI, Washington, DC.
Canada: Toronto, ON, Calgary, AB

The Team:
The S&P Ratings Security team focuses on protecting our clients and users from modern security threats. Our mission is to safeguard systems and data by developing innovative solutions to the industry's most complex security challenges. We are passionate problem solvers with deep security expertise.

Responsibilities and Impact

We are seeking a Lead Penetration Test Engineer with extensive experience in penetration testing and offensive security. The ideal candidate will conduct penetration tests, re-testing, vulnerability scanning, and threat assessments across diverse environments. This role requires strong offensive security skills combined with cloud and application security expertise to identify vulnerabilities and develop effective mitigation strategies.

A successful candidate will excel in the following areas:

• Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Assessments
• Conduct comprehensive penetration testing of web applications, infrastructure, and cloud environments using both manual and automated techniques.
• Develop custom scripts, tools, and methodologies to enhance penetration testing capabilities and automate security testing within CI/CD pipelines.
• Apply cloud‑specific offensive techniques, including IAM abuse, container and serverless exploitation, and cloud misconfiguration testing.
• Vulnerability Management & Remediation
• Collaborate with engineering and development teams to analyze vulnerabilities, develop remediation plans, and strengthen application security across development and production lifecycles.
• Perform detailed security assessments using DAST, SAST, and SCA tools to ensure continuous validation and improvement of security controls.
• Attack Simulations & Research
• Lead and participate in attack simulations and tabletop exercises to validate security controls and improve organizational response capabilities.
• Research emerging threats, attack vectors, and adversarial techniques to inform offensive and defensive strategies.
• Partner with internal teams to design and execute threat assessments based on intelligence feeds and threat actor analysis.
• Security Communication & Reporting
• Communicate and present penetration testing and security assessment findings to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Provide actionable remediation guidance and risk mitigation strategies to strengthen the organization's overall security posture.

What We’re Looking For

Basic Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in information security with a strong focus on penetration testing, application security, and vulnerability management.
• Hands‑on experience with penetration testing tools (e.g., Burp Suite, Nessus, Metasploit, Nmap) and methodologies (e.g., OWASP Top 10, MITRE ATT&CK, PTES).
• Expertise in identifying and exploiting common infrastructure and web application vulnerabilities (e.g., XSS, SQL Injection, IDOR).
• Familiarity with vulnerability classification and scoring frameworks (CVE, CVSS, CWE).
• Strong scripting or programming skills (e.g., Bash, Python, Go, PowerShell, JavaScript).
• Experience performing security assessments (DAST, SAST, SCA, credential scanning) and integrating security testing into CI/CD pipelines.
• Ability to translate complex technical findings into clear, actionable reports and confidently brief cross‑functional teams and executives.
• At least one recognized offensive security certification (OSCP, OSCE3, OSEP, GXPN, GPEN, or CREST CRT/CCT).
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cloud security across AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Knowledge of AI/ML security and adversarial testing methods, including evaluating LLMs and other models for manipulation, evasion, and data integrity risks.
• Demonstrated involvement in the infosec community (e.g., open‑source projects, bug bounties, CVE research, conference talks, or security publications).
• Experience applying the MITRE ATT&CK Framework to offensive security operations and threat emulation.
• Familiarity with secure software development practices and the software development lifecycle.
• Experience with Java application technologies, deployment frameworks, and associated security best practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams while independently owning deliverables and maintaining accountability to deadlines.

Right to work requirements for US based out candidates

This role is open only for candidates with indefinite right to work within the US.

Compensation/Benefits Information (US Applicants Only)