Lead Penetration Test Engineer

Grade Level (for internal use): 12

About the role

We are seeking a Lead Penetration Test Engineer with extensive experience in penetration testing and offensive security. This hybrid role requires 2 days per week onsite at one of our locations: US (Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Englewood, CO; Raleigh, NC; Princeton, NJ; New York, NY; Southfield, MI; Washington, DC) or Canada (Toronto, ON; Calgary, AB).

The S&P Ratings Security team focuses on protecting our clients and users from modern security threats. Our mission is to safeguard systems and data by developing innovative solutions to the industry’s most complex security challenges. We are passionate problem solvers with deep security expertise.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive penetration testing of web applications, infrastructure, and cloud environments using both manual and automated techniques.
• Develop custom scripts, tools, and methodologies to enhance penetration testing capabilities and automate security testing within CI/CD pipelines.
• Apply cloud-specific offensive techniques, including IAM abuse, container and serverless exploitation, and cloud misconfiguration testing.
• Collaborate with engineering and development teams to analyze vulnerabilities, develop remediation plans, and strengthen application security across development and production lifecycles.
• Perform detailed security assessments using DAST, SAST, and SCA tools to ensure continuous validation and improvement of security controls.
• Lead and participate in attack simulations and tabletop exercises to validate security controls and improve organizational response capabilities.
• Research emerging threats, attack vectors, and adversarial techniques to inform offensive and defensive strategies.
• Partner with internal teams to design and execute threat assessments based on intelligence feeds and threat actor analysis.
• Communicate and present penetration testing and security assessment findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide actionable remediation guidance and risk mitigation strategies to strengthen the organization’s overall security posture.

Requirements

• Minimum 8 years of experience in information security with a strong focus on penetration testing, application security, and vulnerability management.
• Hands-on experience with penetration testing tools (e.g., Burp Suite, Nessus, Metasploit, Nmap) and methodologies (e.g., OWASP Top 10, MITRE ATT&CK, PTES).
• Expertise in identifying and exploiting common infrastructure and web application vulnerabilities (e.g., XSS, SQL Injection, IDOR).
• Familiarity with vulnerability classification and scoring frameworks (CVE, CVSS, CWE).
• Strong scripting or programming skills (e.g., Bash, Python, Go, PowerShell, JavaScript).
• Experience performing security assessments (DAST, SAST, SCA, credential scanning) and integrating security testing into CI/CD pipelines.
• Ability to translate complex technical findings into clear, actionable reports and confidently brief cross-functional teams and executives.
• At least one recognized offensive security certification (OSCP, OSCE3, OSEP, GXPN, GPEN, or CREST CRT/CCT).
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cloud security across AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Knowledge of AI/ML security and adversarial testing methods, including evaluating LLMs and other models for manipulation, evasion, and data integrity risks.
• Demonstrated involvement in the infosec community (e.g., open-source projects, bug bounties, CVE research, conference talks, or security publications).
• Experience applying the MITRE ATT&CK Framework to offensive security operations and threat emulation.
• Familiarity with secure software development practices and the software development lifecycle.
• Experience with Java application technologies, deployment frameworks, and associated security best practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams while independently owning deliverables and maintaining accountability to deadlines.

Right to Work

This role is open only for candidates with indefinite right to work within the US or Canada.

Pay

US applicants: The anticipated base salary range for this position is $135,000 USD – $200,000 USD. Final base salary will be based on geographical location, experience, and qualifications.

Canada applicants: The anticipated range of compensation for this position is 135,000 CAD to 180,000 CAD. Final compensation will be based on performance, geographic location, experience level, skill set, training, licenses, and certifications.

Benefits

• Health & Wellness: Health care coverage designed for the mind and body.
• Flexible Downtime: Generous time off to help keep you energized.
• Continuous Learning: Access a wealth of resources to grow your career and learn valuable new skills.
• Invest in Your Future: Secure your financial future through competitive pay, retirement planning, a continuing education program with a company-matched student loan contribution, and financial wellness programs.
• Family Friendly Perks: Benefits for partners and dependents, including best-in-class benefits for families.
• Beyond the Basics: Retail discounts, referral incentive awards, and other small perks.

For more information on benefits by country, visit spgbenefits.com/benefit-summaries.