Senior Penetration Tester

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Health coverage

Retirement contributions

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Penetration Tester for a boutique cybersecurity client. The role is fully remote, enabling experts to conduct in-depth assessments, exploit responsibly, and deliver actionable remediation guidance.

You will lead complex tests across networks, web and mobile apps, and mentor junior testers. Ideal candidates hold 5+ years in penetration testing, strong toolsets (Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark), and relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on penetration testing and vulnerability assessment experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Proficiency with Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap and Wireshark.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute comprehensive penetration tests across networks, web and mobile apps.
• Identify vulnerabilities, exploit ethical, and document findings clearly.
• Develop detailed reports with testing methodologies and remediation recommendations.
• Perform social engineering assessments to evaluate human weaknesses.
• Stay updated on testing tools, techniques, and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with clients to understand security needs and testing requirements.
• Mentor junior testers and contribute to knowledge base.
• Research emerging threats to improve testing capabilities.

Skills

Penetration testing

Vulnerability assessment

Security reporting

Ethical hacking

Education

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

Tools

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

Wireshark

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a boutique cybersecurity firm renowned for its offensive security services, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Penetration Tester. This role involves conducting in-depth security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities in client systems, networks, and applications, and providing actionable recommendations for remediation. You will be at the forefront of ethical hacking, simulating real-world attacks to strengthen client defenses. This position offers a fully remote working arrangement, allowing you to leverage your expertise from anywhere. The core focus area for client engagement, although remote, is often around the Paarl, Western Cape region.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute comprehensive penetration tests, including network, web application, and mobile application testing.
• Identify security vulnerabilities, exploit them ethically, and document findings meticulously.
• Develop detailed reports outlining test methodologies, findings, and remediation recommendations.
• Perform social engineering assessments to evaluate human vulnerabilities.
• Stay current with the latest penetration testing tools, techniques, and methodologies.
• Collaborate with clients to understand their security posture and testing requirements.
• Mentor junior penetration testers and contribute to the team's knowledge base.
• Research emerging threats and vulnerabilities to continuously improve testing capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent hands‑on experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience specifically in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
• Expertise in using a variety of penetration testing tools (e.g., Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark).
• Strong understanding of networking protocols, operating systems, web technologies, and common security flaws.
• Demonstrated ability to exploit vulnerabilities and understand their business impact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reporting and client interaction.
• Relevant certifications such as OSCP, CEH, GPEN, or LPT are highly preferred.
• Experience in developing custom scripts or tools for penetration testing is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package including health coverage and retirement contributions.
• Professional development opportunities, providing access to advanced training, conferences, and opportunities to expand your offensive security skill set.
• Flexibility and autonomy of a remote work environment while contributing to critical security assessments for a diverse clientele.
• Ability to play a vital role in securing digital assets from Paarl, Western Cape and beyond.