About the RoleThe 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 toDirector, Web Application & External Offensive Operations
Pay ClassificationFull-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 QualificationsEDUCATION
- Degree inin 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
