Penetration Tester

Footbridge Federal; Sterling, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Footbridge Federal delivers engineering, cyber, mission IT, analytics, and cleared program support for defense, intelligence, federal civilian, homeland security, and research missions.

Footbridge Federal seeks a senior penetration tester to design and execute advanced testing plans, assess Windows/Linux environments, and brief leadership on risk and findings. Expect domestic and international travel as required.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with a Full Scope Polygraph (FSP).
• Hands-on penetration testing in offensive cybersecurity.
• Strong understanding of attack methods, exploitation techniques, and recon.
• Experience with Windows, Linux, hypervisors, and virtualized environments.
• Experience analyzing network architectures and using network security tools.
• Familiarity with cloud provider architectures and security considerations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive penetration testing plans using adversarial techniques.
• Identify, analyze, and document security vulnerabilities across Windows, Linux, and virtualized platforms.
• Evaluate network architectures, system configurations, and cloud environments to discover potential attack paths.
• Develop risk mitigation recommendations and brief senior stakeholders on security posture and findings.
• Coordinate testing schedules and approvals to ensure minimal impact on mission operations.
• Travel to various work locations domestically and internationally as required.

Skills

Active TS/SCI clearance with FSP

Penetration testing

Windows

Linux

Hypervisors

Cloud security

Network analysis

Bachelor’s degree

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering or related field

Tools

Hypervisors

Virtualized environments

Network security tools

Cloud provider architectures

Job description

• Design and execute comprehensive penetration testing plans using adversarial techniques.


• Identify, analyze, and document security vulnerabilities across Windows, Linux, and virtualized platforms.


• Evaluate network architectures, system configurations, and cloud environments to discover potential attack paths.


• Develop risk mitigation recommendations and brief senior stakeholders on security posture and findings.


• Coordinate testing schedules and approvals to ensure minimal impact on mission operations.


• Travel to various work locations domestically and internationally as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with a Full Scope Polygraph (FSP).


• Proven professional experience in offensive cybersecurity and hands-on penetration testing.


• Strong understanding of computer attack methods, exploitation techniques, and reconnaissance.


• Technical proficiency with Windows, Linux, hypervisors, and virtualized environments.


• Experience analyzing network architectures and utilizing network security tools.


• Familiarity with cloud provider architectures and security considerations.


• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced experience in ethical hacking and active exploitation.


• Experience performing penetration testing within cloud environments.


• Familiarity with applying AI/ML tools to cybersecurity assessments.


• Industry certifications such as OSCP, GPEN, or CEH.

Required Skills

• Active TS/SCI clearance with a Full Scope Polygraph (FSP).


• Proven professional experience in offensive cybersecurity and hands-on penetration testing.


• Strong understanding of computer attack methods, exploitation techniques, and reconnaissance.


• Technical proficiency with Windows, Linux, hypervisors, and virtualized environments.


• Experience analyzing network architectures and utilizing network security tools.


• Familiarity with cloud provider architectures and security considerations.


• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Skills

• Advanced experience in ethical hacking and active exploitation.


• Experience performing penetration testing within cloud environments.


• Familiarity with applying AI/ML tools to cybersecurity assessments.


• Industry certifications such as OSCP, GPEN, or CEH.

Security Clearance

• Level: TS/SCI


• Health and Financial Foundation — Medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts are described in the benefits page.


• Time Away and Flexibility Where Mission Permits — PTO, holidays, sick time, military leave, and flexible arrangements are supported where program and security requirements allow.


• Professional Development — The site references certification support, training, conferences, mentorship, internal mobility, and individual development planning.

Mission

Footbridge Federal delivers engineering, cyber, mission IT, analytics, and cleared program support for defense, intelligence, federal civilian, homeland security, and research missions.

Culture

Mission Context Matters

Candidates should expect work tied to defense, intelligence, federal civilian, homeland, and research missions rather than generic commercial delivery.

Small-Team Accountability

The culture copy emphasizes ownership, communication, and practical execution across teams that work close to customers and program outcomes.

Growth With Technical Credibility

Career content supports hands-on technical growth, certifications, internal mobility, and program leadership without forcing one career track.

Benefits & why work here

• Health and Financial Foundation: Medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts are described in the benefits page.


• Time Away and Flexibility Where Mission Permits: PTO, holidays, sick time, military leave, and flexible arrangements are supported where program and security requirements allow.


• Professional Development: The site references certification support, training, conferences, mentorship, internal mobility, and individual development planning.