Senior Penetration Tester

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional certifications support

On-site in Randburg

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Penetration Tester in Randburg, Gauteng to proactively identify vulnerabilities across systems, networks, and applications. The role demands hands-on expertise in offensive security and a track record of complex tests, with a focus on delivering actionable remediation and strengthening defenses.

You will lead testing efforts, mentor junior team members, and collaborate with IT and development teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional penetration testing experience.
• Experience with Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap and Nessus.
• Strong understanding of OWASP Top 10, networks and operating systems.
• Experience with scripting in Python or Bash for automation.
• Certifications such as OSCP, CEH, CISSP or GPEN are desirable.
• Ability to work on-site in Randburg and obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive penetration tests on web apps, networks, mobile apps, and cloud environments.
• Identify, analyze, and document security vulnerabilities and their impact.
• Develop detailed reports with findings, risks and remediation.
• Perform social engineering tests and assess effectiveness.
• Stay updated on latest exploitation techniques, tools and vulnerabilities.
• Develop and maintain testing methodologies and scripts.
• Collaborate with development and IT to address weaknesses.
• Assist in developing security policies based on testing outcomes.
• Mentor junior testers and share knowledge.

Skills

Penetration testing

Web vulnerabilities

Python

Bash

Metasploit

Burp Suite

Nmap

Nessus

Security certifications

OSCP

CEH

CISSP

GPEN

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Information Security

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a highly skilled and motivated Senior Penetration Tester to join their dedicated cybersecurity team in Randburg, Gauteng . This role is essential for proactively identifying vulnerabilities within the organization\'s systems, networks, and applications through sophisticated testing methodologies. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of offensive security techniques, extensive experience in conducting complex penetration tests, and a passion for ethical hacking. You will be instrumental in helping our client strengthen its defenses against real-world threats. This is an opportunity to work on challenging projects and contribute significantly to the security posture of a growing organization. The role requires hands‑on technical expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive penetration tests on web applications, networks, mobile applications, and cloud environments.


• Identify, analyze, and document security vulnerabilities and their potential impact.


• Develop detailed reports outlining findings, risks, and actionable remediation recommendations.


• Perform social engineering tests and assess their effectiveness.


• Research and stay updated on the latest exploitation techniques, tools, and vulnerabilities.


• Develop and maintain testing methodologies and scripts.


• Collaborate with development and IT operations teams to help them understand and address security weaknesses.


• Assist in the development of security policies and procedures based on testing outcomes.


• Mentor junior penetration testers and contribute to team knowledge sharing.

Requirements

• Bachelor\'s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.


• Minimum of 5 years of experience in professional penetration testing.


• Proven experience with various penetration testing tools and frameworks (\"e.g., Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Nessus\").


• Strong understanding of common web vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10), network protocols, and operating systems.


• Experience with scripting languages (\"e.g., Python, Bash\") for automation.


• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.


• Relevant certifications such as OSCP, CEH, CISSP, or GPEN are highly desirable.


• Ability to work independently and manage multiple engagements effectively.


• Must be able to work on-site in Randburg, Gauteng and possess the necessary security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.


• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.


• Opportunities for advanced training and professional certifications.


• Access to cutting-edge penetration testing tools and technologies.


• A challenging and rewarding work environment.


• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.


• Career advancement opportunities within the cybersecurity domain.