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Peraton

Penetration Tester

Hybrid

Arlington, United states

$ 138,000 /year

Mid level

Full Time

07-02-2026

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Skills

Python JavaScript Bash PowerShell Penetration Testing Risk Management Firewalls Encryption Cloud Security Kali Linux Burp Suite Monitoring Test Security Testing Networking Linux Programming Analytics Active Directory

Job Specifications

About Peraton

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees solve the most daunting challenges that our customers face. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Program Overview

Encompasses technical, engineering, data analytics, cyber security, management, operational, logistical, and administrative support for Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Cyber and Technology Security Directorate in three key offices/functional areas: Cyber Monitoring and Operations, Cyber Threat and Investigations, and Technology Innovation and Engineering State.

About The Role

Peraton is seeking an experienced Cyber Penetration Tester to become part of Peratons' Federal Strategic Cyber programs.

Location: Northern VA; Hybrid - flex as long as person can come on-site as/when needed.

In this role, you will:

Support the Red Cell Team by performing and leading penetration tests to assess the security of customer systems.
Identify vulnerabilities and develop recommended remediations to satisfy mandated NIST 800-53 security controls.
Report and demonstrate findings to system owners and engineers.
Maintain Red Cell infrastructure.
Develop or modify tools to automate discovery or exploitation.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science and 5 years of relevant experience in Cyber/IT, or a Master's of Science and 3 years of relevant experience in Cyber/IT. In lieu of a degree, 4 years of additional IT security or penetration testing experience may be considered.
Minimum of 2 years with penetration testing experience.
Possess one of the following certifications, OR be able to obtain before start date:
CCNA Cyber Ops, CCNA-Security, CEH, CFR, Cloud+, CySA+, GCIA, GCIH, GICSP, SCYBER, Security+ CE, SSCP
Demonstrated experience with Kali Linux.
Demonstrated penetration testing tools experience with Nmap, Burp Suite, Metasploit, etc.
Demonstrated ability in evaluating vulnerabilities, performing root cause analysis, and reporting findings utilizing assessment methodologies such as NIST SP 800-115, Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF), OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WTG), etc.
Demonstrated ability to lead a penetration test and guide Senior/Junior Penetration Testers.
U.S. citizenship required.
An active Secret security clearance.
Must have the ability to obtain a final Top Secret security clearance.
Preferred:

Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance.
One of the following certifications or an alternate, verifiable certification demonstrating IT security competence:
CompTIA CASP+
ISC2 Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP)
ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
ISC2 Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP)
One of the following certifications or an alternate, verifiable certification demonstrating practical penetration testing competence:
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Hack the Box Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (CPTS)
TCM Security Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT)
GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN)
Zero Point Security Red Team Ops II
Advanced understanding of the following:
NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) and the Assessment and Authorization (A&A) process.
Security principles such as CIA, IAAAA, access control models, risk management, etc.
Networking principles and technologies such as IP routing, TCP/UDP, VPNs, firewalls, NAT, etc.
Common network protocols such as SSH, FTP, SMTP, SMB, HTTP, etc.
Operating system principles such as process management, device management, user management, file systems, etc.
Data processing principles such as encoding, hashing, encryption, etc.
Scripting and programming languages such as Bash, Python, PowerShell, JavaScript, etc.
Common application vulnerabilities and exploits such as outdated components,
permissions misconfigurations, lack of input validation, logging/monitoring failures, etc.
Common web application vulnerabilities and exploits such as XSS, SQLi, LFI, file uploads, broken authentication mechanisms, etc.
Active Directory (AD) enumeration and attacks such as kerberoasting, AS-REP roasting, abusing misconfigured privileges, crafting golden tickets, etc.
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and navigating IT environ

About the Company

Do the can't be done. At Peraton, we're at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We're the partner of choice to help solve some of the world's most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure. How do we do it? By thinking differently. We're not mired in the past. We look at all problems with fresh eyes. We look past the obvious to bring the best talent, tech, and ideas together to completely transform how things get done. So bring your unique... Know more