Penetration Tester, Mid (TS/SCI Clearance)

Position Overview

Praescient Analytics is seeking a Penetration Tester to join our cybersecurity team in Arlington, VA, supporting the Department of War (DoW) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office’s (CDAO) War Data Platform (WDP).

Key Responsibilities

• Perform various types of penetration tests, including network, web application, and social engineering assessments.
• Use a combination of advanced manual techniques and automated tools to discover and safely exploit vulnerabilities.
• Evaluate overall system risk based on testing findings; develop detailed, actionable technical reports mapping out exploitation paths and their potential mission impact.
• Partner with network engineering, software development, and AI engineering teams to build, track, and execute robust remediation plans; support incident response activities with deep technical insights when necessary.
• Participate in the continuous development, refinement, and maintenance of internal penetration testing methodologies, custom testing tools, and baseline vulnerability assessment standards.
• Support the organization's broader threat intelligence ecosystem by actively sharing insights, novel attack chains, and defensive gaps discovered during offensive assessments.
• Stay current with emerging threat actors, zero-day vulnerabilities, and defensive bypass techniques to continuously upgrade testing capabilities.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI security clearance is strictly required.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in offensive security, ethical hacking, vulnerability research, or penetration testing.
• Technical Depth: Deep familiarity with web application security frameworks (OWASP Top 10), cloud infrastructure security, network routing/protocols, and common scripting languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell, Bash) for tool customization.
• Required Certifications: Must possess at least one of the following: CompTIA Cloud+, GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender (GCED), GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), GIAC Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP), GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC), CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Security+.
• Preferred Certifications: Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) or CyberSec First Responder (CFR), CompTIA CyberSecurity Analyst (CySA+), Federal IT Security Professional-Auditor (FITSP-A), GIAC Cloud Security Automation (GCSA), GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA).

Benefits

• Very competitive salary based on qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive, Company paid healthcare for you (We pay your premiums and deductibles)
• 401(k) with company match
• Travel & performance incentives
• 3 weeks paid time off (plus Federal Holidays)
• $5K annual training allowance

About the Role

Praescient Analytics is a Certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) with over a decade of expertise in advanced analytics, engineering, and DevOps, specializing in transforming complex data into actionable intelligence for informed decision-making. Since 2011, we have supported over 40 organizations across diverse domains, including military intelligence operations, financial and fraud investigations, and insider threat detection. Our team of experts—skilled in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, DevOps, and engineering—brings deep experience in solving complex challenges. With a proven track record in federal contracting, we deliver tailored, high-impact solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency, ensure mission success, and address the evolving needs of our clients.