Penetration Tester

Battelle; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Flexible compressed schedule

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Battelle in Arlington, VA seeks a Penetration Tester to support DHS mission-focused security research and evaluation. You will perform cyber assessments, penetration tests, and deliver high-quality reports to government and stakeholders across lab and field environments.

The role requires strong technical evaluation experience, excellent communication, and readiness to work with clients and vendors, including travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical discipline.
• Ability to obtain DoD Secret and TSA Security Suitability; sole U.S. citizenship required.
• Minimum 5 years of work with a BS/BA, or 2 years with an MS or higher.
• Experience supporting cybersecurity assessments, risk assessment, test & evaluation, vulnerability assessment, or related technical evaluation activities.
• Experience using tools to support cybersecurity assessments, testing, data collection, data analysis, vulnerability review, and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to document observations and present to diverse audiences.
• Travel up to 25% required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability assessments, and security control validation for federal test & evaluation activities.
• Perform penetration testing and use tools for capture, validation, data collection, and analysis.
• Develop and present clear technical reports for government, engineering, and stakeholders.
• Support test planning, execution, data reduction, and analysis in lab and field environments.
• Engage with government clients, vendors, and stakeholders to support program objectives.
• Support engineering design reviews and IPT activities.
• Contribute to technology maturation through development lifecycle.
• Participate in conferences, proposals, and white papers identifying future tech opportunities.
• Ensure quality-focused delivery per ISO 9001 standards.

Skills

Cybersecurity assessment

Penetration testing

Technical reporting

Stakeholder communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or related field

MS or higher degree

Job description

At Battelle, your expertise in national security plays a direct role in safeguarding our nation and shaping global security strategies. Join our team and become part of a distinguished community of professionals dedicated to developing innovative solutions for complex threats and challenges. As a proven developer and system integrator, we leverage next-generation science, engineering, and technology to secure and protect critical assets-on the ground, in the air, in space, at sea, and across the cyber landscape.

Here, you will apply cutting-edge technology and research to strengthen national defense strategies, ensuring a safer future for generations to come. At Battelle, you're not just building a career; you're upholding a legacy of protecting national interests and promoting peace and stability worldwide.

Job Summary

We are currently seeking a Penetration Tester. This position is a full-time opportunity located in Arlington, Virginia.

Battelle's Mission Focused Tools Business Line is seeking a Penetration Tester to support the research, development, test, and evaluation of security systems and technologies for the Department of Homeland Security, operating out of Battelle's Crystal City Operations. The selected candidate will work across technical areas including non-intrusive inspection systems, physical security technology, command and control integration, operational technology, industrial control systems, embedded systems, and other specialized mission-support technologies.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in test and evaluation, cybersecurity assessment, technical analysis, and quality-focused delivery, with the ability to engage directly with clients, vendors, and stakeholders in both laboratory and field environments.

Responsibilities

• Conducting cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability assessments, and security control validation in support of federal acquisition-based test and evaluation activities
• Performing penetration testing and utilizing technical tools for packet capture, configuration validation, data collection, and data analysis
• Developing and presenting clear, high-quality technical reports for government, engineering, and stakeholder audiences
• Supporting test planning, test execution, data reduction, and data analysis in both laboratory and field environments
• Engaging directly with government clients, vendors, and stakeholders on a regular basis to support program objectives
• Supporting engineering design reviews and participating in Integrated Product Team (IPT) activities
• Contributing to technology maturation throughout the developmental lifecycle
• Participating in technical conferences, supporting proposal development, and contributing to white papers and other research products identifying opportunities for future technology development or operational improvement
• Ensuring quality-focused delivery in accordance with ISO 9001 Quality Management System standards

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (BS or BA) or higher in cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, information technology, data science, physical sciences, mathematics, or a related technical discipline
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret and TSA Security Suitability; sole U.S. citizenship required.
• Minimum of 5 years of technical work experience with a BS/BA degree, or minimum of 2 years with an MS or higher degree
• Experience supporting cybersecurity, risk assessment, test and evaluation, vulnerability assessment, security control validation, systems engineering, operational technology assessment, or related technical evaluation activities
• Experience using technical tools to support cybersecurity assessments, test execution, data collection, data analysis, vulnerability review, configuration validation, packet capture, and technical reporting
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document technical observations, analyze test results, and develop and present technical reports for diverse audiences
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in both laboratory and field settings
• Travel up to 25% required

Preferred Qualifications

• Current TSA Security Suitability
• Current Secret Security Clearance or higher
• Experience in the test and evaluation of Transportation Security Equipment (TSE), security screening technologies, non-intrusive inspection systems, detection systems, or other DHS mission-support technologies
• Defense Acquisition University (DAU) T&E Level I, II, and/or III certification or equivalent
• Experience assessing cybersecurity risks in operational technology, industrial control systems, embedded systems, scientific systems, laboratory systems, command and control systems, or other specialized non-traditional IT environments
• Experience applying statistics or data analysis to analyze and report test results
• Experience designing, implementing, or supporting data collection hardware, instrumentation, sensors, logging methods, or other data collection techniques

Compensation Data

Battelle is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $190,000 per year, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off-giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity's most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers

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