Remote Lead Penetration Tester

Placements24; United States; Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Training budget

Health benefits

Career growth

Tools access

PTO & holidays

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Penetration Tester for a fully remote role in the United States. You will plan and execute complex tests across networks, web apps, mobile, and cloud, driving security improvements for a diverse client base.

You will mentor junior testers, stay current with attack vectors, and deliver clear reports to technical and non-technical audiences. A strong background in offensive security and certifications is highly valued, with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in CS/Cybersecurity.
• 5+ years in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
• Proven exploitation and red-teaming expertise.
• Experience working with remote teams and strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Plan, scope, and execute penetration tests across networks, web apps, mobile, and cloud.
• Develop exploit techniques and custom tools to identify critical vulnerabilities.
• Lead a team of testers and mentor juniors.
• Document findings with prioritized remediation recommendations.
• Present findings to clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Offensive security

Penetration testing

Team leadership

Python / Bash scripting

Report writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field

Tools

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

Kali Linux

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forefront innovator in cybersecurity services, is seeking an experienced Lead Penetration Tester to join their fully remote team. This role is paramount in identifying and exploiting security vulnerabilities across our client's diverse network infrastructure, applications, and systems, providing actionable insights to enhance overall security posture. As the Lead, you will be responsible for planning and executing complex penetration tests, mentoring junior testers, and communicating findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a highly skilled ethical hacker with a deep understanding of attack vectors, exploitation techniques, and security controls. This is a 100% remote position, enabling you to contribute your expertise from anywhere while collaborating with a world-class team. If you thrive on challenging security defenses and possess a passion for ethical hacking, this opportunity offers significant professional growth and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, scope, and execute comprehensive penetration tests, including network, web application, mobile, and cloud environments.
• Develop and utilize advanced exploitation techniques and custom tools to identify critical vulnerabilities.
• Analyze test results, document findings, and provide clear, concise reports with prioritized recommendations for remediation.
• Lead and mentor a team of penetration testers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Stay current with the latest attack methodologies, tools, and security trends.
• Collaborate with development and operations teams to validate security fixes and improvements.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of penetration testing methodologies and playbooks.
• Present findings and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders at various technical levels.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and ethical standards throughout all testing activities.
• Assist in developing custom security solutions and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
• Proven expertise in offensive security techniques, exploit development, and red teaming.
• Proficiency with a wide range of penetration testing tools (e.g., Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Kali Linux).
• Strong understanding of network protocols, operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS), web technologies, and common vulnerabilities (e.g., OWASP Top 10).
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) for automation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and report-writing skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead and mentor.
• Relevant certifications such as OSCP, CEH, CISSP are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and independently in a fully remote environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Remote work flexibility with a global team.
• Annual allowance for training, certifications, and conference attendance.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement and leadership development.
• Access to state-of-the-art testing tools and resources.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Contribution to cutting-edge cybersecurity research and development.