Senior Penetration Tester

Placements24; Queenstown (MD); On-site; USD 54,000 - 78,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive contract rate

Diverse and challenging projects

Access to advanced penetration testing

Professional development and training

Queenstown, Eastern Cape based

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Penetration Tester to lead security assessments across client systems, apps, and networks. You will identify vulnerabilities, provide actionable remediations, and guide ethical hacking engagements with a focus on robust security postures.

The role emphasizes independent work, creative problem solving, and collaboration with clients. A strong background in penetration testing and up-to-date tooling is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
• In-depth knowledge of OWASP Top 10 and network exploits.
• Proficiency with Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark.
• Scripting with Python or PowerShell for automation.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute penetration tests on web apps, networks, and mobile apps.
• Identify and document vulnerabilities with potential impact and remediation.
• Conduct security research to discover new vulnerabilities and attack vectors.
• Develop detailed penetration test reports with actionable remediation advice.
• Collaborate with clients to understand security needs and objectives.
• Provide expert advice on security hardening and vulnerability mitigation.
• Stay current with testing tools and industry trends.
• Perform vulnerability assessments and security audits as required.
• Maintain ethical standards and confidentiality.
• Contribute to development of internal testing methodologies and tools.

Skills

Penetration testing

Vulnerability assessment

Scripting (Python, PowerShell)

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

Wireshark

Communication skills

Ethical hacking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Cybersecurity

Tools

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

Wireshark

Job description

About the Role Our client, a progressive cybersecurity consultancy based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape , is seeking a highly skilled Senior Penetration Tester to join their elite team. This role involves conducting comprehensive security assessments and penetration tests on a wide range of client systems, applications, and networks to identify vulnerabilities and provide actionable recommendations. You will be instrumental in helping clients improve their security posture and protect against cyber threats. The ideal candidate will possess advanced technical skills, a creative mindset for identifying complex vulnerabilities, and a strong understanding of ethical hacking methodologies. This contract position offers the opportunity to work on diverse and challenging projects, contributing to the security of various organizations. We are dedicated to providing top-tier security services and are looking for an expert to uphold these standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning and executing penetration tests on web applications, networks, and mobile applications.
• Identifying and documenting vulnerabilities, including their potential impact.
• Conducting security research to discover new vulnerabilities and attack vectors.
• Developing detailed and clear penetration test reports with actionable remediation advice.
• Collaborating with clients to understand their security needs and objectives.
• Providing expert advice on security hardening and vulnerability mitigation.
• Staying current with the latest penetration testing tools, techniques, and industry trends.
• Performing vulnerability assessments and security audits as required.
• Maintaining ethical standards and confidentiality throughout engagements.
• Contributing to the development of internal testing methodologies and tools.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
• In-depth knowledge of common web application vulnerabilities (e.g., OWASP Top 10) and network exploits.
• Proficiency with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and Wireshark.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell) for exploit development or automation.
• Strong understanding of operating systems (Windows, Linux) and network protocols.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and identify complex security flaws.
• Ethical hacking certifications such as OSCP, CEH, GPEN, or GXPN are highly preferred.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects effectively.

Benefits

• Competitive contract rate.
• Opportunity to work on diverse and challenging projects.
• Access to advanced penetration testing tools and resources.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Be part of a respected cybersecurity consultancy in Queenstown, Eastern Cape .