Offensive Security Analyst

Vanguard Group; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard Group is seeking an experienced Offensive Security Operations Lead to drive advanced security testing and adversary simulation activities. You will execute assessments across web apps, cloud environments, and infrastructure, emulating realistic attacker behaviors to identify weaknesses and validate controls.

You will develop attack scenarios using MITRE ATT&CK, contribute to methodology development, and lead reporting with actionable remediation guidance.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of offensive security, penetration testing, red teaming, or related cybersecurity experience.
• Experience conducting security assessments across web apps, infrastructure, cloud, and identity environments.
• Strong understanding of attacker methodologies, attack chains, and offensive tradecraft.
• Proficiency with scripting languages (Python, PowerShell, Bash) and related tooling.

Responsibilities

• Lead offensive security operations, perform penetration tests, adversary emulation exercises, and red team activities across multiple tech domains.
• Assess web apps, APIs, cloud environments, identity platforms, infrastructure, and emerging tech; identify vulnerabilities and attack paths.
• Develop and execute attack scenarios based on threat intelligence and adversary tradecraft; reference MITRE ATT&CK framework.
• Analyze findings, create executive summaries, and present remediation recommendations to stakeholders.
• Develop tooling, scripts, and testing frameworks; automate repetitive testing and reporting tasks.
• Collaborate with engineering, security, and risk teams; contribute to purple team efforts and knowledge-sharing.

Skills

Penetration testing

Red team operations

Adversary emulation

Python scripting

PowerShell scripting

Bash scripting

Strong communication

Tools

Burp Suite

Cobalt Strike

Metasploit

Nmap

BloodHound

Impacket

Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled offensive security professional to perform advanced security testing and adversary simulation activities. You will execute assessments across a broad range of technologies and business functions, helping validate the effectiveness of security controls against realistic attack scenarios. The ideal candidate combines strong technical offensive security expertise with excellent communication skills and a passion for continuous learning. You will help advance the maturity of offensive security capabilities while producing meaningful outcomes that strengthen Vanguard's security posture.

Key Responsibilities

Offensive Security Operations Lead and execute penetration tests, adversary emulation exercises, and red team activities. Assess web applications, APIs, cloud environments, identity platforms, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. Simulate realistic attacker behaviors to identify vulnerabilities, control weaknesses, and attack paths. Validate security controls through exploitation and proof-of-concept testing. Support threat-led operations aligned to organizational risk priorities.

Adversary Emulation & Research Develop and execute attack scenarios based on current threat intelligence and adversary tradecraft. Leverage frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK to design realistic attack simulations. Research emerging attack techniques, vulnerabilities, and exploitation methods. Contribute to the development of offensive security methodologies and testing procedures.

Security Assessment & Reporting Analyze findings and evaluate business and technical risk. Produce high-quality technical reports and executive-ready summaries. Present findings, recommendations, and remediation strategies to stakeholders. Track remediation efforts and provide validation of corrective actions.

Tooling & Automation Develop and maintain offensive security tooling, scripts, and testing frameworks. Automate repetitive testing activities and reporting processes. Contribute to the evolution of OSFT operational capabilities and infrastructure. Support innovation initiatives that leverage automation and AI to improve testing effectiveness.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management Partner with engineering, application security, cyber defense, fraud, and technology teams throughout engagements. Participate in purple team activities and collaborative security validation efforts. Support knowledge-sharing initiatives across offensive and defensive security functions. Provide technical guidance to less experienced analysts.

Continuous Improvement Contribute to capability development initiatives across OSFT. Assist with developing testing standards, playbooks, and best practices. Support strategic initiatives that improve offensive security coverage, scale, and maturity. Maintain awareness of evolving threat landscapes and industry practices.

Required Qualifications

3-5+ years of offensive security, penetration testing, red teaming, or related cybersecurity experience. Demonstrated experience conducting security assessments across web applications, infrastructure, cloud, and identity environments. Strong understanding of attacker methodologies, attack chains, and offensive tradecraft. Experience using offensive security tools such as Burp Suite, Cobalt Strike, Metasploit, Nmap, BloodHound, Impacket, or equivalent platforms. Working knowledge of MITRE ATT&CK and threat-informed security testing. Proficiency in Python, PowerShell, Bash, or similar scripting languages. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience conducting adversary emulation or red team operations within a large enterprise. Experience assessing AWS, Azure, or hybrid cloud environments. Experience participating in Purple Team engagements and detection validation exercises. Knowledge of AI security, adversarial AI testing, or emerging technology risk assessments. Offensive security certifications such as OSCP, CRTO, PNPT, OSEP, GXPN, or equivalent.

Special Factors

Sponsorship Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission-we're on a mission. To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

We have a diverse and talented crew with a culture that promotes teamwork, along with an unwavering focus on serving our clients' best interests.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.