Lead Penetration Tester

Placements24; Randfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Competitive salary

Health benefits (comprehensive)

401(k) matching

Professional development

Home office allowance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Penetration Tester to join our client a cutting-edge cybersecurity consultancy based in Rustenburg, North West. You will lead offensive security engagements, identify vulnerabilities, and provide remediation guidance across diverse client environments.

The role offers remote work flexibility. Ideal candidate has 7+ years of experience, strong reporting and leadership, and professional certs such as OSCP, CEH, CISSP.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, Info Security, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of penetration testing and offensive security.
• Expertise in OWASP Top 10, PTES.
• Proficient with Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Kali Linux.
• Strong understanding of networks, OS, and web security.
• Scripting in Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills.
• Certs like OSCP, CEH, CISSP, or GPEN desirable.
• Proven leadership potential or experience.
• Autonomous work style and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and lead complex penetration testing engagements across web, networks, mobile, and cloud.
• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities using manual and automated techniques.
• Provide clear, actionable reports with prioritized remediation.
• Develop exploits and PoC tools when needed.
• Mentor junior testers and guide their growth.
• Stay updated with latest attack vectors and methodologies.
• Communicate findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with client security teams to address findings.
• Contribute to development of new testing methodologies and services.
• Maintain high ethical conduct and confidentiality.

Skills

Penetration testing

Leadership

Python

Bash

PowerShell

Report writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Security

Tools

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

Kali Linux

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge cybersecurity consultancy, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Penetration Tester to join their expanding team based in Rustenburg, North West . This is a critical role where you will be responsible for leading offensive security engagements, identifying vulnerabilities in client systems, and providing actionable recommendations for remediation. You will be at the forefront of ethical hacking, employing advanced techniques to simulate real-world attacks and ensure the security posture of diverse client environments across North West and beyond. The ideal candidate possesses a deep technical skillset, a passion for breaking systems to secure them, and a desire to mentor junior team members. This role offers the flexibility of remote work, allowing you to operate from a location that suits you best.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and lead complex penetration testing engagements across web applications, networks, mobile applications, and cloud infrastructures.
• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities using a variety of manual techniques and automated tools.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of findings, providing clear, concise, and actionable reports with prioritized remediation recommendations.
• Develop custom exploits and proof‑of‑concept tools when necessary.
• Mentor and guide junior penetration testers, fostering their technical growth and professional development.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest attack vectors, exploits, and penetration testing methodologies.
• Communicate technical findings effectively to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with client security teams to ensure vulnerabilities are understood and addressed.
• Contribute to the development of new testing methodologies and services.
• Maintain a high level of ethical conduct and confidentiality throughout all engagements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in penetration testing and offensive security.
• Demonstrated expertise in various penetration testing methodologies (e.g., OWASP Top 10, PTES).
• Proficiency with penetration testing tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Kali Linux, etc.
• Strong understanding of network protocols, operating systems, and web application security.
• Experience in scripting or programming languages (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce comprehensive reports.
• Relevant certifications such as OSCP, CEH, CISSP, or GPEN are highly desirable.
• Proven leadership experience or demonstrated potential to lead a team.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple projects concurrently.

Benefits

• highly competitive salary
• comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• generous 401(k) matching program
• opportunities for continuous professional development and training
• flexibility to work remotely
• generous allowance for home office setup