Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote

Learning & certifications

Health benefits

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria seeks a highly skilled Penetration Tester to proactively identify vulnerabilities and simulate cyberattacks, strengthening the organization’s security posture.

You will report findings with remediation recommendations and work with security, development, and operations teams to close gaps. A strong passion for cybersecurity and continual learning is essential for ongoing success in this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in CS or InfoSec.
• Proven experience as Penetration Tester or similar.
• Experience with Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, OWASP ZAP.
• Certs like OSCP, CEH, GIAC are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive penetration tests on web applications, network infrastructure, APIs, and mobile applications.
• Perform vulnerability assessments and identify security weaknesses using various manual and automated tools.
• Simulate real-world attack scenarios to test the effectiveness of existing security controls.
• Document and present detailed penetration testing reports, including identified vulnerabilities, their potential impact, and actionable remediation recommendations.
• Collaborate with development and operations teams to track the remediation of identified vulnerabilities.
• Stay current with the latest exploitation techniques, tools, and security trends.

Skills

Penetration testing

Cybersecurity

Python

PowerShell

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/InfoSec

Tools

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

OWASP ZAP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Penetration Tester , also known as an Ethical Hacker, to join their dedicated security team in Pretoria . This role is essential for proactively identifying vulnerabilities in the organization's systems, networks, and applications before malicious actors can exploit them. You will be responsible for simulating cyberattacks, reporting findings, and recommending remediation strategies to strengthen the overall security posture. This position is perfect for a curious and detail-oriented individual with a passion for finding weaknesses and helping to build a more secure digital environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive penetration tests on web applications, network infrastructure, APIs, and mobile applications.
• Perform vulnerability assessments and identify security weaknesses using various manual and automated tools.
• Simulate real-world attack scenarios to test the effectiveness of existing security controls.
• Document and present detailed penetration testing reports , including identified vulnerabilities, their potential impact, and actionable remediation recommendations.
• Collaborate with development and operations teams to track the remediation of identified vulnerabilities.
• Stay current with the latest exploitation techniques, tools, and security trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven experience as a Penetration Tester or in a similar ethical hacking role.
• Proficiency with penetration testing tools and frameworks (e.g., Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, OWASP ZAP).
• Strong understanding of common web vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10) and network protocols.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell) for automating tasks.
• Relevant certifications such as OSCP, CEH, or GIAC are a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with a focus on rewarding technical expertise.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering excellent work-life balance.
• Support for continuous learning, including access to training platforms and certifications.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Engaging work on diverse and challenging security projects.