Penetration Tester

About the Role

The Penetration Tester works to execute offensive security activities for Pathfynder by A-LIGN. In this role, you will be responsible for the delivery of external network, web application, and API penetration testing engagements. As the Penetration Tester, you will provide exceptional technical and client-focused testing strategies to help support the continued growth of our fast-paced company.

A-LIGN will depend on you as the Penetration Tester to independently identify and validate real-world security risks, manually exploit vulnerabilities, document findings, and communicate practical remediation guidance to clients.

Reports to

Director, Web Application & External Offensive Operations

Pay Classification

Full-Time, Exempt

Responsibilities

• Execute external network, web application, and API penetration testing engagements
• Identify, validate, and manually exploit vulnerabilities using public exploits, custom-developed exploits, or a combination of techniques
• Evaluate findings in context, develop realistic attack paths, and accurately assess business and technical risk
• Deliver clear, accurate, client-ready reports that explain findings, risk ratings, evidence, and actionable remediation guidance
• Communicate technical issues, testing results, and remediation recommendations to client stakeholders
• Maintain project quality and timelines while executing assigned engagements with minimal oversight
• Collaborate with the offensive security team to evaluate tools, improve delivery methods, and share technical knowledge
• Mentor junior testers and contribute to the development of team capabilities and repeatable testing practices

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Degree in in cybersecurity, computer science, a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience

Experience

• 5+ years of hands-on offensive security experience, including at least 3 years focused on external network, web application, or API penetration testing
• Experience performing web application penetration testing using black-box, grey-box, and white-box approaches
• Experience testing APIs, including REST, GraphQL, SOAP, or gRPC
• Proven ability to manage engagements from scoping and execution through reporting and client debriefs.
• Working knowledge of OWASP WSTG, OWASP ASVS, OWASP API Security Top 10, and PTES
• Consulting or client-facing security delivery experience is preferred
• Mobile application penetration testing experience across iOS or Android is preferred
• White-box or source-code-assisted testing experience is preferred

Certifications

• Required at least one of the following: OSCP/OSCP+, OSWA, eWPT, HTB CWES, TCM PWPP, GWAPT, GPEN, or CREST CRT
• Preferred: OSWE, HTB CWEE, BSCP, eWPTX, CREST CCT APP, TCM PWPE, OSEP, or GXPN
• Published CVEs, conference presentations, or meaningful contributions to open-source security tooling may be considered in place of certifications

Skills

• Advanced manual testing skills, including the ability to chain lower-severity findings into high-impact attack paths
• Advanced web exploitation knowledge, including access control and authorisation flaws, OAuth, SAML and JWT abuse, SSRF, deserialisation, request smuggling, race conditions, and business logic abuse
• Knowledge of external attack surfaces, including OSINT, asset discovery, edge-device exploitation, and SSO or MFA attack techniques
• Proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, JavaScript, PowerShell, or Go, including the ability to build custom tooling and exploits
• Proficiency with offensive security and assessment tools such as Burp Suite, Caido, Nmap, Nuclei, SQLmap, ffuf, Postman, and Nessus
• Familiarity with common application frameworks, including Laravel, Express.js, ASP.NET Core, Spring, and Django
• Ability to write clear, concise, client-ready reports with accurate risk ratings and actionable remediation guidance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical risks to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, remote environment while meeting deadlines.
• Experience assessing AI or LLM-integrated applications for prompt injection, jailbreaks, data leakage, and agent or tool abuse is preferred
• Familiarity with the OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications and cloud attack surfaces across AWS, Azure, or GCP is preferred

Benefits

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Employer Paid Life Insurance and Disability Insurance
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with Employer Matching
• Competitive Bonus Structure
• Technology Allowance
• Certification Reimbursement
• Personalized Career Coaching
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Office Closure December 25-January 1
• Vacation Bonus
• Summer Hours

Come Work for A-LIGN!

Apply online today at A-LIGN.com and learn about life at A-LIGN by following us on LinkedIn.