Network Penetration Testing Lead - Jersey/Tampa/Dallas #1002860

Job Title: Network Penetration Testing Lead

Location: Hybrid (Tampa,FL; Dallas, TX; Jersey City, NJ))
Employment Type: Contract‑to‑Hire
Interview Process: Two rounds

Job Summary

The Network Penetration Testing Lead is responsible for leading and maturing network‑focused security testing activities to identify, assess, and reduce infrastructure risk. This role bridges deep technical expertise with strategic oversight, ensuring penetration testing efforts align with business objectives, regulatory expectations, and overall cybersecurity resilience goals.

The role focuses on validating the security of networks, infrastructure, and related platforms through structured penetration testing, while also driving continuous improvement across testing processes, tooling, automation, and reporting. The Network Penetration Testing Lead partners closely with IT, security, risk, and business stakeholders to translate technical findings into meaningful risk insights and actionable recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Align network penetration testing strategy with business and security objectives by translating business drivers into technical testing approaches and capability recommendations.
• Gather requirements, assess current capabilities, and define adoption strategies that support both security effectiveness and business needs.
• Guide cybersecurity decisions related to network architecture, firewall design, cloud adoption, threat modeling, and integration of new technologies.
• Lead and maintain continuous improvement practices to enhance resiliency, consistency, and operational excellence across penetration testing functions.
• Administer, coordinate, and oversee internal and third‑party penetration testing activities, ensuring adherence to procedures, policies, and regulatory frameworks.
• Provide tactical and strategic recommendations that support technology delivery in a timely, cost‑effective, and risk‑appropriate manner.
• Guide the development of new testing processes, automation of controls, and enhancement of monitoring and validation activities using data‑driven approaches.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to deliver consistent, measurable reporting supporting broader cybersecurity and resiliency initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with IT teams, business units, security leadership, and risk management partners to ensure alignment and effective coordination.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving threat techniques to continuously mature network testing methodologies.
• Provide regulatory and policy compliance guidance to penetration testing teams and ensure consistent application of internal standards.
• Manage operational and organizational risk through disciplined execution, issue resolution, proper escalation, and thorough documentation of findings.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in one or more technical disciplines such as penetration testing, networking, firewall management, systems administration, cloud platforms, databases, or software development.
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience conducting penetration tests, particularly focused on networks and infrastructure.
• Expert‑level technical proficiency in at least one core domain, supported by relevant professional experience or certifications.
• Strong understanding of adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) as they relate to network and infrastructure attacks.
• Proficiency with common open‑source and commercial penetration testing tools; understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, configuration requirements, and operational risks.
• Strong experience working across both UNIX/Linux and Microsoft operating systems.
• Knowledge of security testing guidelines and frameworks such as NIST 800‑53 and NIST 800‑115.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical findings and risk insights to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong understanding of IT network architecture and cybersecurity fundamentals, enabling effective guidance for enhancements and new designs.
• Proven ability to work across diverse technologies and adapt to evolving environments and testing demands.