Penetration Tester

Leidos Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

11 paid Holidays

401K with company match

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Penetration Tester for its Huntsville, AL office. You will perform live penetration tests for customers, conduct deep-dive preparatory analyses, and propose mitigation strategies for identified vulnerabilities across lifecycle stages.

Qualifications include a technical degree and 4–8 years of pen-testing experience, with strong Linux/Windows, scripting, and web app/security testing skills. On-site position with TS/SCI readiness supports national security work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience.
• 4–8 years in penetration testing or related security field; master's with +2 years acceptable.
• Proficiency with Linux and Windows OS.
• Experience with scripting languages (bash, Python, etc.).
• Hands-on penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and security analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform live penetration tests for customers and deep-dive preparatory analysis.
• Recommend mitigation strategies for discovered vulnerabilities.
• Test at multiple stages of the system development lifecycle and develop red team tools.
• Ensure survivability and timely delivery of updates and after-action reports.

Skills

Linux

Windows OS

Scripting

Penetration testing

Web app pentest

Cloud security

API security

Networking (TCP/IP)

Education

Bachelor's in Cyber Security/CS/CE/EE

Master's in related field (optional)

Tools

Kali Linux

Parrot OS

Metasploit

Burp Suite

OWASP ZAP

Nmap

Nikto

Cobalt Strike

Empire

Job description

Description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Penetration Tester in our INTEL Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Primary Responsibilities

This is a full-time position with theLeidosoffice in Huntsville, AL. The position consists of performing live penetration tests for customers and performing deep-dive preparatory analysis for any system under test. The position also includes recommending specific mitigation strategies to the customer for discovered vulnerabilities, and testing at multiple stages of the system development/acquisition lifecycle. This also includes red team tool development for use in stand-alone and network-connected systems. The positionis responsible forensuring survivability and resiliency of customer systems under test, andtimelydelivery of development updates and after-action reports after eachassessment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related Technical Degree
• 4-8years of experience in penetration testing/red teams or related security field, or a master'sdegree in a related field with +2year of experience.Experiencemay be consideredin lieu of adegree.
• Proficient with Linux (preferably Kali, Parrot, or similar distros) and Windows Operating systems
• Experience with using scripting languages such as bash, python,etc
• Hands-on experience performing penetration tests, vulnerability assessments, and security analysis on enterprise systems
• Proven experience with web application penetration testing, including OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities
• Experience conducting cloud security assessments (AWS, Azure, GCP) and cloud-native penetration testing
• Familiarity with API security testing (REST, SOAP,GraphQL) and authentication/authorization mechanisms
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP network architecture, protocols, and network security concepts
• Candidate must be located in Huntsville, AL area or be willing torelocateto the Huntsville, AL area as this is an ON-SITE Position.
• Candidate must be a US CITIZEN and be able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience with reconnaissance and scanning tools (Nmap,Nikto, Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, etc.)
• Extensive experience with exploitation frameworks and tools (Metasploit, Cobalt Strike, Empire, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to develop custom exploits and automation scripts using Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar languages
• Experience with cloud security tools and methodologies (ScoutSuite, Prowler, Pacu, etc.)

Professional Experience

• Prior Department of War (DoW) experience or work with government/defense sector clients

Certifications & Continuous Learning

• Completion of or active pursuit of industry certifications such as OSCP, GPEN, GWAPT, GCIH, GSEC, CPTS, CEH, or equivalent technical certifications
• RF security experience or amateur (HAM) radio certification is a plus

Pay Range

$87,100.00 - $157,450.00

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.