Lead Penetration Tester (Remote)

Placements24; United States; Remote; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Health insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Penetration Tester to join a remote-first security team. You will lead offensive security operations, identify exploitable vulnerabilities, and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen security across systems, networks, and applications.

You will mentor junior testers, develop advanced testing techniques, and ensure clear communication of findings to stakeholders. Remote, highly autonomous role with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in penetration testing and offensive security.
• Proven experience leading penetration testing engagements and teams.
• Proficiency with Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap and Kali Linux.

Responsibilities

• Plan, scope and execute comprehensive penetration tests against web apps, networks, APIs, and mobile apps.
• Lead and mentor junior penetration testers, providing technical guidance and oversight.
• Develop and utilize advanced exploitation techniques and tools.
• Conduct thorough vulnerability analysis and detailed reporting with risk assessments and remediation recommendations.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay current with latest attack vectors and security trends.
• Contribute to automated testing tools and frameworks.
• Participate in red team exercises and threat modeling sessions.

Skills

Lead pentest

Offensive security

Team mentoring

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/related

Tools

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

Kali Linux

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Lead Penetration Tester to join their cutting-edge security team on a fully remote basis. In this crucial role, you will be responsible for leading offensive security operations, identifying exploitable vulnerabilities in our client's systems, networks, and applications before malicious actors can. You will conduct in-depth penetration tests, analyze findings, and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the overall security posture. This is a remote-first position, demanding a high degree of autonomy and self-discipline. You will work with a globally dispersed team of security experts dedicated to proactive defense and continuous improvement. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply your expertise in a challenging and rewarding remote cybersecurity role.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, scope, and execute comprehensive penetration tests against web applications, networks, APIs, and mobile applications.
• Lead and mentor junior penetration testers, providing technical guidance and oversight.
• Develop and utilize advanced exploitation techniques and tools.
• Conduct thorough vulnerability analysis and detailed reporting of findings, including risk assessments and remediation recommendations.
• Communicate complex technical findings clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay current with the latest attack vectors, exploitation techniques, and security trends.
• Contribute to the development of automated testing tools and frameworks.
• Participate in red team exercises and threat modeling sessions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in penetration testing and offensive security.
• Proven experience leading penetration testing engagements and teams.
• Deep understanding of various attack methodologies, network protocols, and operating systems.
• Proficiency with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and Kali Linux.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Relevant certifications such as OSCP, CEH, CISSP, or GPEN are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary commensurate with experience, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement plan with company matching, and an annual budget for professional development, training, and certifications. As a fully remote role, you gain significant flexibility and autonomy. Join a highly collaborative and innovative team that values proactive security and continuous learning. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your career in offensive security from anywhere.