Penetration Tester, Senior (TS/SCI Clearance) with Security Clearance

Position Overview: Praescient Analytics is seeking a highly motivated 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) - formerly known as Advana. The WDP is an enterprise-wide, multi-domain data, analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform providing civilian and military leaders with unprecedented access to secure enterprise data. As a Penetration Tester on this program, you will play a critical role in sustaining and evolving the WDP as the Department’s secure, standardized enterprise data integration layer. You will conduct comprehensive penetration tests across applications, networks, and hybrid-cloud systems hosting hundreds of curated analytics tools, actively identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities to validate and strengthen the platform’s security posture against advanced threats.

Key Responsibilities

• Comprehensive Security Testing: 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.
• Risk Assessment & Reporting: Evaluate overall system risk based on testing findings; develop detailed, actionable technical reports mapping out exploitation paths and their potential mission impact.
• Remediation & Collaboration: 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.
• Methodology Evolution: Participate in the continuous development, refinement, and maintenance of internal penetration testing methodologies, custom testing tools, and baseline vulnerability assessment standards.
• Threat Intelligence Integration: Support the organization’s broader threat intelligence ecosystem by actively sharing insights, novel attack chains, and defensive gaps discovered during offensive assessments.
• Continuous Research: 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 8 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)
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
  • Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE)
  • 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)

The projected compensation range for this position is $110,000.00 to $160,000.00 (annualized USD).

What You Can Expect From Us

• Real opportunity for career growth in an environment where your achievements will be celebrated
• Constant collaboration with numerous teams to ensure client success
• A team that respects and embraces your ideas and expertise
• Coworkers that are motivated by pursuing excellence, rather than the prospect of personal gain
• A workplace dedicated to supporting and bettering public safety and government agencies

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

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. Praescient's innovative and adaptive approach makes us a trusted partner in delivering data-driven insights and technological excellence for critical missions. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

US Citizenship Required