Penetration Testing Lead

Peraton; Bedford (TX); Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a Penetration Testing Lead to head offensive security assessments across applications, infrastructure, networks, and cloud environments. You will provide technical leadership, develop testing strategies, and ensure high-quality security assessments aligned with industry best practices.

The role involves mentoring junior testers, coordinating with security and development teams, and advancing the organization’s security posture. Remote work with EST hours is supported.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen with ability to obtain Public Trust clearance.
• Bachelor's degree with ≥12 years of experience, or Master's with ≥10 years, or Associates with ≥14 years, or High School Diploma with ≥16 years.
• One or more certifications: OSCP, OSCE, GXPN or CEH.
• Experience conducting penetration testing across network infrastructure, web apps, APIs, and AWS cloud environments.
• Experience planning red team exercises, adversary emulation, and attack simulations.
• Knowledge of NIST SP 800-115, MITRE ATT&CK, DHS RVA standards.
• Experience configuring, maintaining, and optimizing penetration testing tools and platforms.
• Ability to identify vulnerabilities, assess risk, and communicate remediation to teams.
• Experience mentoring junior penetration testers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute penetration testing assessments across networks, apps, APIs, and AWS environments.
• Plan and conduct red team exercises to simulate adversary tactics and evaluate detection and response.
• Apply testing methodologies and standards (NIST SP 800-115, MITRE ATT&CK, RVA) for consistent assessments.
• Analyze results, validate findings, and provide actionable remediation recommendations.
• Maintain and optimize penetration testing tools and supporting technologies.
• Collaborate with security, cloud, and development teams to drive remediation.
• Mentor junior testers and promote adherence to testing methodologies.
• Continuously evaluate emerging attack techniques to enhance capabilities.

Skills

Penetration testing

Red team exercises

Vulnerability assessment

Security tooling configuration

Technical documentation

Mentoring junior testers

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree + 12+ yrs

Master's degree + 10+ yrs

Associates degree + 14 yrs

High School Diploma + 16 yrs

Tools

Pentera

Cymulate

Picus Security

Intruder

Job description

Basic Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain the required Public Trust level clearance
• Bachelors Degree and 12 years of experience, a Masters Degree and 10 years of experience, an Associates Degree and 14 years, or a High School Diploma or equivalent and 16 years of experience
• One (or more) of the following certifications: OSCP, OSCE, GXPN or CEH
• Demonstrated experience conducting penetration testing across network infrastructure, web applications, APIs, and AWS cloud environments.
• Experience planning and executing red team exercises, adversary emulation, and attack simulations to identify security weaknesses and evaluate defensive capabilities.
• Working knowledge of established penetration testing methodologies and security frameworks, including NIST SP 800-115, MITRE ATT&CK, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (RVA) standards.
• Experience configuring, maintaining, and optimizing penetration testing tools, frameworks, and automated security validation platforms.
• Ability to identify and validate vulnerabilities, assess risk and potential business impact, and communicate actionable remediation recommendations to technical teams and stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring junior penetration testers, providing technical guidance, and promoting adherence to testing methodologies and security best practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical documentation skills, with the ability to translate complex security findings into clear, actionable recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with automated penetration testing and security validation platforms such as Pentera, Cymulate, Picus Security, Intruder, or similar

Peraton is seeking a Penetration Testing Lead to join our Team. This person will be responsible for leading and executing comprehensive offensive security assessments to identify, validate, and help remediate security vulnerabilities across the organization’s applications, infrastructure, networks, cloud environments, and systems. This role provides technical leadership for penetration testing activities, develops testing strategies and methodologies, and oversees the delivery of high-quality security assessments aligned with industry best practices and organizational risk management objectives.

Work Location:

This is a remote position, but candidate must be willing to work during the hours of 8am - 5pm EST

What You Will Do:

• Lead and execute penetration testing assessments across network infrastructure, applications, APIs, and AWS cloud environments to identify, validate, and assess security vulnerabilities.
• Plan and conduct red team exercises to simulate real-world adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures and evaluate the organization’s ability to detect and respond to threats.
• Apply industry-recognized testing methodologies and standards, including NIST SP 800-115, MITRE ATT&CK, and DHS Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (RVA) standards, to ensure consistent and comprehensive security assessments.
• Analyze testing results, validate findings, assess potential business impact, and provide actionable, risk-based remediation recommendations to technical teams and stakeholders.
• Maintain, configure, and optimize penetration testing tools, frameworks, and supporting technologies to support effective and efficient security assessments.
• Collaborate with security, cloud, application development, and infrastructure teams to communicate findings, support remediation efforts, and improve the organization’s overall security posture.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior penetration testers, fostering technical growth, knowledge sharing, and adherence to established testing methodologies and best practices.
• Continuously evaluate emerging attack techniques, vulnerabilities, and offensive security tools to enhance penetration testing capabilities and address evolving threats.