Penetration Tester (Junior)

Valiant Solutions, LLC•Washington, DC

4d•$115,000 - $125,000•Remote

About The Position

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Junior Penetration Tester to join its Red Cell team supporting a government customer’s cybersecurity risk management program. The role involves performing and leading penetration tests, assessing the security of customer systems, identifying exploitable vulnerabilities, and recommending remediations that satisfy mandated NIST SP 800-53 security controls. The tester will use established methodologies such as NIST SP 800-115, PTES, ISSAF, and the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide, and will report and demonstrate findings directly to system owners and engineers. This position is 100% remote, with ad hoc travel to the Washington, DC metro area. Remote employees are expected to maintain a quiet, distraction-free workspace with adequate internet, give full attention to work during working hours, and keep a schedule aligned with coworkers and clients during core business hours. A Public Trust clearance must be obtainable and maintained, and U.S. citizenship is required for clearance eligibility. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, an industry professional certification from the listed options, and 3 to 5 years of penetration testing experience. The anticipated base salary range is $115,000 to $125,000. Eligible full-time employees receive the benefits described in the posting, including health coverage, retirement matching, paid leave and holidays, and professional development support.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Security, Information Systems, Information Assurance, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
An industry professional certification such as CCNA Cyber Ops, CCNA Security, CEH, CFR, CompTIA Cloud+, CySA+, GCIA, GCIH, GICSP, SCYBER, Security+ CE, or SSCP.
3 to 5 years of penetration testing experience.
Demonstrated experience with Kali Linux.
Demonstrated experience with penetration testing tools, including Nmap, Burp Suite, and Metasploit.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate vulnerabilities, perform root cause analysis, and report findings using assessment methodologies such as NIST SP 800-115, PTES, ISSAF, and OWASP WSTG.
Ability to clearly explain and demonstrate technical findings to system owners and engineers.
Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 security controls.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain the necessary clearance.

Responsibilities

Support the Red Cell team by performing and leading penetration tests that assess customer system security.
Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests of information systems.
Identify vulnerabilities and develop recommended remediations that satisfy mandated NIST SP 800-53 security controls.
Evaluate vulnerabilities and perform root cause analysis using methodologies including NIST SP 800-115, PTES, ISSAF, and OWASP WSTG.
Report and demonstrate findings to system owners and engineers.
Maintain Red Cell infrastructure.
Develop or modify tools to automate discovery or exploitation.
Apply computer and network forensics knowledge to testing activities.
Research and maintain proficiency in tools, techniques, countermeasures, and trends in computer and network vulnerabilities, data hiding, and encryption.
Develop testing methodology and present solutions to problems across multiple complex assignments.
Contribute to program deliverables and performance metrics.

Benefits

Choice of medical plans, including an HSA option and a PPO, with company contributions.
Dental and vision coverage for employees and their families.
Company-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
Optional supplemental life, accident, and critical illness coverage.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Paid time off that grows with years of service, plus paid federal holidays.
Paid certifications, professional development, and access to the Valiant University training portal.
Flexible spending accounts.
Wellness and fitness program.
Referral bonuses.
Rewards for earning industry certifications.