At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. 

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

The Digital Modernization Sector brings together our digital transformation and IT programs, allowing us to better serve our customers through scale and repeatability.

The DHS Chief Information Security Officer Directorate (CISOD) ensures the Department’s compliance with all applicable security regulations—including FISMA, OMB circulars, Executive Orders, federal laws, directives, and policies—while maintaining a secure and trusted computing environment. Information security is a core mission enabler, essential to DHS operations and public service delivery.

We are seeking a Senior Penetration Tester to support offensive security operations across DHS applications, networks, and enterprise environments. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, hands-on experience in vulnerability research and exploitation, and a collaborative mindset suited for a high-performing cybersecurity team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct penetration testing activities aligned with DHS and industry best practices.

• Perform web application, network, and infrastructure assessments using commercial and open-source tools.

• Execute testing operations safely and in accordance with defined operational guidelines.

• Produce detailed reports outlining findings and actionable remediation recommendations.

• Partner with SOC, engineering, and defensive security teams to validate and remediate vulnerabilities.

• Support tool development, methodology improvements, and team-wide knowledge sharing.

Required Qualifications

• BS Degree with 12-15 years. Master’s degree in a related field with 12 years of professional experience

• At least 3 years of experience in one or more of the following:

  • Incident detection and response

  • Malware analysis

  • Cyber forensics

• Proficiency with at least three of the following tools:

  • Kali Linux

  • Metasploit

  • Burp Suite

  • Cobalt Strike

  • Tenable Nessus

  • WebInspect

  • Scuba

  • AppDetective

• One or more relevant certifications, such as: GPEN, GWAPT, GISF, GXPN, OSCP, OSCE, OSWP, OSEE, CISSP, or CEH.

• U.S. Citizenship required; must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and DHS EOD.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.