Penetration Tester

Placements24; Riverton (UT); On-site; USD 17,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive daily rate

Flexible engagement

Collaborative environment

Professional support

Access to testing tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Penetration Tester contractor to join our client’s team in Upington, South Africa. The role focuses on simulating attacks to identify vulnerabilities across networks, apps, and cloud environments, with detailed remediation reports.

You will work independently on engagements, applying offensive security techniques and documenting findings for technical and non-technical stakeholders. Relevant certifications (OSCP/CEH/GPEN/GWAPT) are desirable.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
• Experience with a broad range of testing tools (Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark).
• Strong understanding of networks, operating systems, and web app security.
• Scripting in Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
• OSCP/CEH/GPEN/GWAPT are desirable certifications.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct penetration tests on networks, web apps, mobile apps, and cloud enviroments.
• Identify and exploit security vulnerabilities using tools and manual techniques.
• Perform vulnerability assessments and security audits.
• Document findings with technical details, impact, and remediation steps.
• Communicate test results clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain methodologies for penetration testing.
• Stay current with the latest testing techniques, tools, and threat landscapes.
• Adhere to ethical hacking principles and maintain client confidentiality.
• Collaborate with client security teams to validate remediation efforts.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Report writing

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Security

Tools

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

Wireshark

Python

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a specialized cybersecurity consultancy, is seeking a skilled Penetration Tester to join their team in Upington, Northern Cape . In this role, you will be responsible for simulating cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in our clients' networks, applications, and systems. Your expertise will be crucial in assessing security posture and providing detailed reports with remediation recommendations. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, possesses a deep understanding of attack vectors, and has hands-on experience with various penetration testing tools and techniques. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your offensive security skills in a challenging and rewarding environment, helping organizations strengthen their defenses against real-world threats. We are looking for a dedicated professional committed to ethical hacking and continuous skill development.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive penetration tests on networks, web applications, mobile applications, and cloud environments.
• Identify and exploit security vulnerabilities using a variety of tools and manual techniques.
• Perform vulnerability assessments and security audits.
• Document findings meticulously, including technical details, impact, and remediation steps.
• Communicate test results clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain methodologies for penetration testing.
• Stay current with the latest penetration testing techniques, tools, and threat landscapes.
• Adhere to ethical hacking principles and maintain client confidentiality.
• Collaborate with client security teams to validate remediation efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
• Proven experience with a wide range of penetration testing tools (e.g., Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark).
• Strong understanding of network protocols, operating systems, and web application security.
• Familiarity with scripting languages like Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple testing engagements.
• Relevant certifications such as OSCP, CEH, GPEN, or GWAPT are highly desirable.
• Strong ethical compass and commitment to responsible disclosure.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive daily rate for this contractor position, along with opportunities to work on diverse and challenging projects.
• This role provides significant flexibility in terms of engagement.
• You will collaborate with experienced cybersecurity professionals and expand your skill set.
• Our client is committed to providing a professional and supportive environment for its contractors.
• Benefits include access to a variety of testing tools and potential for repeat engagements based on performance.