Lead Penetration Tester - Remote

Peraton; Bedford (TX); Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a Penetration Testing Lead to head offensive security assessments across applications, infrastructure, networks, and cloud environments. You will provide technical leadership, develop testing strategies, and ensure high-quality security assessments aligned with industry best practices.

The role involves mentoring junior testers, coordinating with security and development teams, and advancing the organization’s security posture. Remote work with EST hours is supported.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen with ability to obtain Public Trust clearance.
• Bachelor's degree with ≥12 years of experience, or Master's with ≥10 years, or Associates with ≥14 years, or High School Diploma with ≥16 years.
• One or more certifications: OSCP, OSCE, GXPN or CEH.
• Experience conducting penetration testing across network infrastructure, web apps, APIs, and AWS cloud environments.
• Experience planning red team exercises, adversary emulation, and attack simulations.
• Knowledge of NIST SP 800-115, MITRE ATT&CK, DHS RVA standards.
• Experience configuring, maintaining, and optimizing penetration testing tools and platforms.
• Ability to identify vulnerabilities, assess risk, and communicate remediation to teams.
• Experience mentoring junior penetration testers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute penetration testing assessments across networks, apps, APIs, and AWS environments.
• Plan and conduct red team exercises to simulate adversary tactics and evaluate detection and response.
• Apply testing methodologies and standards (NIST SP 800-115, MITRE ATT&CK, RVA) for consistent assessments.
• Analyze results, validate findings, and provide actionable remediation recommendations.
• Maintain and optimize penetration testing tools and supporting technologies.
• Collaborate with security, cloud, and development teams to drive remediation.
• Mentor junior testers and promote adherence to testing methodologies.
• Continuously evaluate emerging attack techniques to enhance capabilities.

Skills

Penetration testing

Red team exercises

Vulnerability assessment

Security tooling configuration

Technical documentation

Mentoring junior testers

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree + 12+ yrs

Master's degree + 10+ yrs

Associates degree + 14 yrs

High School Diploma + 16 yrs

Tools

Pentera

Cymulate

Picus Security

Intruder

Job description

Peraton is seeking a Penetration Testing Lead to head offensive security assessments across applications, infrastructure, networks, and cloud environments. You will provide technical leadership, develop testing strategies, and ensure high-quality security assessments aligned with industry best practices.

The role involves mentoring junior testers, coordinating with security and development teams, and advancing the organization’s security posture. Remote work with EST hours is supported.