Penetration Tester (Junior)

Valiant Solutions; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans (HSA or PPO)

Dental and vision

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Paid certifications

Flexible spending accounts

Referral bonuses

Job summary

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Junior Penetration Tester to join the Red Cell team supporting a government cybersecurity risk management program. You will perform and lead penetration tests, identify exploitable vulnerabilities, and recommend remediations that satisfy NIST SP 800-53 controls.

You will apply methodologies including NIST SP 800-115, PTES, and OWASP WSTG, and report findings directly to system owners and engineers.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of penetration testing experience.
• Experience with Kali Linux.
• Experience with Nmap, Burp Suite, and Metasploit.
• Ability to apply NIST SP 800-115, PTES, ISSAF, and OWASP WSTG.
• Ability to explain findings clearly to system owners and engineers.
• Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 controls.

Responsibilities

• Support the Red Cell team by performing and leading penetration tests that assess the security of customer systems.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests of information systems.
• Identify vulnerabilities and develop recommended remediations that satisfy mandated NIST SP 800-53 security controls.
• Evaluate vulnerabilities and perform root cause analysis using assessment methodologies such as NIST SP 800-115, PTES, ISSAF, and OWASP WSTG.
• Report and demonstrate findings to system owners and engineers.
• Maintain Red Cell infrastructure.
• Develop or modify tools that automate discovery or exploitation.
• Apply knowledge of computer and network forensics to testing activities.
• Research and maintain proficiency in tools, techniques, countermeasures, and trends in computer and network vulnerabilities, data hiding, and encryption.
• Develop testing methodology and present solutions to problems across multiple complex assignments.
• Contribute to program deliverables and performance metrics.

Skills

Kali Linux

Nmap

Burp Suite

Metasploit

Penetration testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity

Industry certifications (CCNA Cyber Ops, CEH, Security+ CE)

Tools

N/A

Job description

Position Description

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Penetration Tester (Junior) to join the Red Cell team supporting our government customer's cybersecurity risk management program. In this role, you will perform and lead penetration tests of customer systems, identify exploitable vulnerabilities, and recommend remediations that satisfy mandated NIST SP 800-53 security controls. You will apply recognized assessment methodologies, including NIST SP 800-115, the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), and the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG). You will also report and demonstrate your findings directly to system owners and engineers.

Location

Remote with ad hoc travel to the Washington DC Metro area.

This position allows for 100% remote work. Remote work requires a high level of trust in our employees, and we strictly adhere to the details outlined in our Remote Work Policy below.

Required Clearance

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance

Eligibility Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required to obtain the necessary clearance for this position.

Required Education / Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Security, Information Systems, Information Assurance, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• An industry professional certification such as CCNA Cyber Ops, CCNA Security, CEH, CFR, CompTIA Cloud+, CySA+, GCIA, GCIH, GICSP, SCYBER, Security+ CE, or SSCP.

Required Experience

• 3 to 5 years of penetration testing experience.
• Demonstrated experience with Kali Linux.
• Demonstrated experience with penetration testing tools, including Nmap, Burp Suite, and Metasploit.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate vulnerabilities, perform root cause analysis, and report findings using assessment methodologies such as NIST SP 800-115, PTES, ISSAF, and OWASP WSTG.
• Ability to explain and demonstrate technical findings clearly to system owners and engineers.
• Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 security controls.

Responsibilities

• Support the Red Cell team by performing and leading penetration tests that assess the security of customer systems.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests of information systems.
• Identify vulnerabilities and develop recommended remediations that satisfy mandated NIST SP 800-53 security controls.
• Evaluate vulnerabilities and perform root cause analysis using assessment methodologies, including NIST SP 800-115, PTES, the Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF), and OWASP WSTG.
• Report and demonstrate findings to system owners and engineers.
• Maintain Red Cell infrastructure.
• Develop or modify tools that automate discovery or exploitation.
• Apply knowledge of computer and network forensics to testing activities.
• Research and maintain proficiency in tools, techniques, countermeasures, and trends in computer and network vulnerabilities, data hiding, and encryption.
• Develop testing methodology and present solutions to problems across multiple complex assignments.
• Contribute to program deliverables and performance metrics.

About Valiant Solutions

Valiant Solutions delivers cybersecurity and IT services to federal civilian, defense, and national security customers nationwide. We support the full cyber lifecycle, from secure system design and accreditation through AI-enabled operations, threat emulation, and continuous improvement, across classified and unclassified environments. Our work is independently certified for quality and security, including CMMI, CMMC, and ISO certifications. Valiant is a multi-year Washington Business Journal Best Places to Work winner, and our growth and cyber leadership have been recognized by Washington Technology, Northern Virginia Technology Council, and the Triangle Business Journal. We offer strong benefits, rewards for earning industry certifications, and room to grow your career as we grow. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, our distributed workforce supports customers from coast to coast. We go where the stakes are highest, and the margin for error is zero.

Benefits Snapshot

• A choice of medical plans, from an affordable HSA option to a full-featured PPO, with generous company contributions
• Dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Company-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• Optional supplemental life, accident, and critical illness coverage to round out your protection
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off that grows with your years of service, plus paid federal holidays
• Paid certifications, professional development, and the Valiant University training portal
• Flexible spending accounts and a wellness and fitness program
• Referral bonuses when you help us bring great people to Valiant

Benefit eligibility and plan details are subject to the terms of each plan and may change from time to time.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $115,000 to $125,000. This range reflects Valiant Solutions's good‑faith estimate of the base salary reasonably expected for this position upon hire, at the time of posting. The range has been established based on the scope of the role, market rates, and internal equity. Where a candidate falls within the posted range will depend on job‑related factors, including relevant skills, experience, qualifications, achievements, education, geographic location, applicable security clearance requirements, additional corporate responsibilities, and other legitimate, non‑discriminatory business considerations. The posted range does not guarantee an offer at any particular salary. In addition to base salary, this position includes the benefits described above.

Remote Work Policy (Remote and Hybrid Positions Only)

Remote work necessitates a high level of trust in our employees. To ensure that employee performance does not suffer in a remote work environment, all employees who telecommute are expected to have a quiet and distraction-free workspace with adequate internet, dedicate their full attention and availability to their job duties during working hours, and maintain a schedule during core business hours that aligns with those of their coworkers and Valiant's clients. In alignment with Valiant's inclusive and engaging environment, cameras are encouraged and can be required to be on during virtual video conferences. Additionally, in alignment with the Office of the Inspector General’s effort to eliminate conflicting employment, all Valiant employees are required to disclose any current or future outside employment engagements. During onboarding and throughout employment, employees must disclose any current activities or intent to engage in outside employment or other professional activities and obtain written approval. Employees may not solicit or conduct any outside business during core business hours for Valiant Solutions and our clients.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valiant Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Valiant Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

Physical Demands

Sitting or standing at a desk for prolonged periods and consistently operating a computer. Frequent communication and exchanging of accurate information via electronic communication, phones, and in person. Occasionally lift and/or move moderate amounts of weight, typically less than 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Authorization to Share Resume and Personal Information

By submitting your resume for this position, you authorize Valiant Solutions to share your resume, as well as personal information included on the resume, with its subsidiaries, affiliates, and teaming partners for the purpose of considering you for this position and other available positions requiring comparable skills, education, and experience. Should Valiant Solutions or its affiliates and teaming partners wish to initiate pre-employment discussions, you will be asked to complete an employment application and related employment documents.