Penetration Tester

About the role

Our client seeks an experienced penetration testing professional to plan and execute comprehensive security assessments across applications, systems, and infrastructure in alignment with federal standards and industry best practices. The role will coordinate assessment scoping, develop and maintain testing procedures, conduct multi-team exercises, and produce clear reporting with prioritized remediation guidance to strengthen defensive posture and SOC effectiveness. This is a contract to hire opportunity. Applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis and convert to FTE following contract duration.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and conduct Agency penetration testing on systems operated by and on behalf of NCUA, ensuring access occurs only through specified authentication methods and is limited to vetted personnel.
• Develop, maintain, and update the Penetration Testing CONOPS and SOPs aligned to NIST guidance, applicable Federal regulations, and industry best practices.
• Coordinate prior to each assessment to determine the appropriate assessment model and identify the technology to be tested.
• Draft Rules of Engagement and test-specific penetration testing documentation for each engagement.
• Perform testing and detection activities including red teaming, blue teaming, penetration testing, adversary emulation, purple teaming, and breach and attack simulation to improve SOC operations and defensive posture.
• Document findings and vulnerabilities with risk categorization, impact evaluation, and prioritized remediation, and provide regular status updates to stakeholders.
• Simulate APT scenarios by emulating adversary TTPs to evaluate system resilience and inform enhanced protective measures.
• Conduct red and blue team exercises with post-exercise reviews highlighting detections and areas for improvement.
• Execute the full assessment lifecycle including onboarding, active assessment, findings development, triage, detailed reporting, and patch validation.
• Draft and publish reports for each penetration test including results, findings, and proposed remediation.
• Maintain tracking of penetration testing activities across engagements.
• Integrate penetration testing with vulnerability assessments, threat modeling, event detection evaluation, continuous monitoring tool verification, incident response, and incident reporting compliance.

Requirements

• US Citizenship required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience conducting, supporting, or leading penetration tests across enterprise environments.
• Strong understanding of Windows and Linux/Unix operating systems and core networking protocols such as TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/S, and SMB.
• Ability to identify, validate, and exploit vulnerabilities across networks, systems, and applications.
• Working knowledge of web technologies and common vulnerability classes including the OWASP Top 10.
• Proficiency with tools such as Burp Suite, Metasploit, Nmap, Nessus, and Cobalt Strike or equivalents.
• Scripting or automation ability in Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
• Experience performing reconnaissance, vulnerability identification, exploitation, and post-exploitation per approved rules of engagement.
• Capability to develop and deliver findings reports that translate technical issues into business risk with prioritized remediation.
• Strong written communication skills for clear, organized findings reports for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong verbal communication skills to brief findings, risk ratings, and recommendations to leads, system owners, or client stakeholders.
• Problem-solving skills and ability to work independently or as part of a team under defined timelines.
• Sound judgment and professionalism when operating within sensitive or production environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Security, Cybersecurity, or related field.
• Must hold one or more certifications: OSCP, CEH, GPEN, GWAPT, PenTest+, or eCPPT.
• Desirable: Experience in regulated or federal environments aligned with NIST SP 800-53, SP 800-115, and RMF processes.
• Desirable: Familiarity with wireless and social engineering testing methodologies.