Lead Penetration Test Engineer

S&P Global, Inc.; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 135,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

S&P Global is seeking a Lead Penetration Test Engineer to drive offensive security across hybrid environments, including web, cloud, and infrastructure testing. You will build tools, run simulations, and work with engineering to remediate vulnerabilities while presenting clear findings to executives.

The role requires 8+ years in information security, strong scripting, and professional certifications. Hybrid work is available with some onsite collaboration in multiple U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years in information security with focus on penetration testing and vulnerability management.
• Hands-on with Burp Suite, Nessus, Metasploit & Nmap; familiar with OWASP Top 10 and MITRE ATT&CK.
• Exploit infrastructure and web vulnerabilities and integrate testing into CI/CD pipelines.
• Ability to translate findings into actionable executive briefings and reports.
• At least one offensive security certification (OSCP/OSCE/OSEP/GXPN/GPEN or CREST).

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive penetration tests of web apps, infrastructure, and cloud environments.
• Develop scripts and tools to enhance testing capabilities and automate security checks in CI/CD.
• Apply cloud offensive techniques including IAM abuse and serverless testing.
• Collaborate with engineering to remediate vulnerabilities and strengthen security controls.
• Lead attack simulations and threat assessments; communicate findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Penetration testing

Web app security

Vulnerability management

Scripting (Bash, Python, PowerShell,):

CI/CD security testing

Cloud security testing

OSCP/OSCE/OREP/GPEN/CREST

Threat modeling & reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Burp Suite

Nessus

Metasploit

Nmap

Job description

About the Role

Grade Level (for internal use): 12 – S&P Global Corporate. Position: Lead Penetration Test Engineer. Location: Hybrid – 2 days per week onsite at one of the following sites: U.S.: 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 S&P Ratings Security team protects 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.

Responsibilities and Impact

Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Assessments

• Conduct comprehensive penetration tests of web applications, infrastructure, and cloud environments using 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 continuously validate and improve 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

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field – or equivalent experience.
• 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 Top10, MITREATT&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).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cloud security across AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Knowledge of AI/ML security and adversarial testing methods, including evaluation of 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

U.S. candidates: Role open only for candidates with indefinite right to work within the U.S.

Canada candidates: Role open only for candidates with indefinite right to work within Canada.

Compensation

U.S.: Anticipated base salary range $135,000–$200,000USD (final amount depends on location, experience, and qualifications).

Canada: Anticipated range 135,000–180,000CAD (final compensation depends on location, performance, and qualifications).

Equal Opportunity Employer

S&P Global is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Any electronic job submissions will be considered for employment. If you require an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please contact [e-mail].