Penetration Tester

Leidos•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Penetration Tester in our National Security Sector's (NSS) Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security! Primary Responsibilities: This is a full-time position with the Leidos office in Huntsville, AL. The position consists of performing live penetration tests for customers and performing deep-dive preparatory analysis for any system under test. The position also includes recommending specific mitigation strategies to the customer for discovered vulnerabilities, and testing at multiple stages of the system development/acquisition lifecycle. This also includes tool development for use in stand-alone and network-connected systems. The position is responsible for ensuring survivability and resiliency of customer systems under test, and timely delivery of development updates and after-action reports after each red-team activity. Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related Technical Degree and 2+ years of experience in penetration testing/red teams or related security field. Or a Master's degree and with some experience. Will consider work experience in lieu of a degree Must be knowledgeable Linux (preferably Kali, Parrot, or similar distros) and Windows Operating systems Experience with using scripting languages such as Bash or Python A background in computer security, including forensics, systems analysis, and more Strong problem solving skills Candidate must have an active Secret clearance and must be willing to get a TS/SCI clearance to be considered Preferred Qualifications: Prior training/experience in conducting penetration tests, reverse engineering, and/or system analysis Strong communication skills for documenting and relaying findings to customers Strong understanding of TCP/IP network architecture. Experience with developing exploits using scripting languages such as bash, python, etc Experience with scanning/analysis tools (nmap, nikto, Tenable Nessus, etc) Experience with exploitation tools (Metasploit, Cobalt Strike, etc) Completion or work towards PenTest+, Security+, CySA+, CEH, OSCP or similar technical certification If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: April 6, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law. Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here. Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [email protected]. Commitment and Diversity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related Technical Degree and 2+ years of experience in penetration testing/red teams or related security field. Or a Master's degree and with some experience. Will consider work experience in lieu of a degree
Must be knowledgeable Linux (preferably Kali, Parrot, or similar distros) and Windows Operating systems
Experience with using scripting languages such as Bash or Python
A background in computer security, including forensics, systems analysis, and more
Strong problem solving skills
Candidate must have an active Secret clearance and must be willing to get a TS/SCI clearance to be considered

Nice To Haves

Prior training/experience in conducting penetration tests, reverse engineering, and/or system analysis
Strong communication skills for documenting and relaying findings to customers
Strong understanding of TCP/IP network architecture.
Experience with developing exploits using scripting languages such as bash, python, etc
Experience with scanning/analysis tools (nmap, nikto, Tenable Nessus, etc)
Experience with exploitation tools (Metasploit, Cobalt Strike, etc)
Completion or work towards PenTest+, Security+, CySA+, CEH, OSCP or similar technical certification

Responsibilities

performing live penetration tests for customers
performing deep-dive preparatory analysis for any system under test
recommending specific mitigation strategies to the customer for discovered vulnerabilities
testing at multiple stages of the system development/acquisition lifecycle
tool development for use in stand-alone and network-connected systems
ensuring survivability and resiliency of customer systems under test
timely delivery of development updates and after-action reports after each red-team activity