Leidos is seeking a Penetration Tester to support an enterprise IT program. We are looking for a cyber security professional to conduct penetration testing and ethical hacking, to target, assess, and exploit risk and vulnerabilities of information systems. This candidate is expected to have hands on penetration testing experience. In addition to technical skills, the candidate should be a self-starter who doesn’t always need to be provided direction. Critical thinking skills are a must; the Customer wants someone who can come up with ideas and investigate to validate those ideas as well as have a curiosity on the unknown and continuously push for outcomes.
Primary Responsibilities:
This team provides a highly technical and in-depth penetration testing service, in support of enterprise cyber security equities.
The role requires support specializing in penetration testing and ethical hacking, to target, assess, and exploit risk and vulnerabilities of information systems.
The intent is to provide senior decision makers with documented and actionable data to aid in making strategic investment decisions.
The team will document all identified system risks, planned test procedures, and results; perform analyses of vulnerabilities identified during testing; and review program-level documentation (e.g., requirements specification, system architecture, design documents, test plans, security plans, etc.).
They will recommend changes to program-level documentation with an eye to reducing system vulnerabilities, create and document penetration testing plans and procedures, and approved testing plans and procedures to conduct hands-on penetration testing.
The team will also analyze test results, document risks, and recommend countermeasures to uncovered risks; participate or lead technical exchange meetings and application review boards; document action items and results from technical exchange meetings and application review boards; and brief management on the status of action items and results of activities.
Basic Qualifications
Must have an active TS/SCI with Poly to be considered
Must have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or other related scientific or technical discipline and at least 12 years of relatable experience OR Masters in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or other related scientific or technical discipline and at least 10 years of relatable experience.
Experience in cyber security or related IT field
Experience with cyber penetration testing
Experience applying computer attack methods and system exploitation techniques
Working knowledge of cyber security principles for Linux, Windows, and virtual platforms
Experience designing, testing, or implementing IT security architecture
Experience performing network security analysis
Experience analyzing network architectures
Experience using network management tools
Experience leveraging adversarial tactics to conduct hands-on security testing
Experience developing risk management methodologies
Experience analyzing test results to develop risk and threat mitigation plans
Experience testing or reviewing system configuration, development, and design specifically around enterprise systems and hypervisors
Experience designing, testing, or implementing complex Windows installations
Preferred Qualifications
Experience participating in public and private information security groups and organizations
Experience communicating vulnerability results and risk posture to senior executives
Experience researching, evaluating, and developing security policies and guidance
Experience performing complex technical tasks with minimal direction
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:June 26, 2026For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
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.
Skills Required
- Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
- Bachelor's in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related and at least 12 years' related experience OR Master's and at least 10 years' related experience
- Experience in cyber security or related IT field
- Experience with cyber penetration testing
- Experience applying computer attack methods and system exploitation techniques
- Working knowledge of cyber security principles for Linux, Windows, and virtual platforms
- Experience designing, testing, or implementing IT security architecture
- Experience performing network security analysis
- Experience analyzing network architectures
- Experience using network management tools
- Experience leveraging adversarial tactics to conduct hands-on security testing
- Experience developing risk management methodologies
- Experience analyzing test results to develop risk and threat mitigation plans
- Experience testing or reviewing system configuration, development, and design around enterprise systems and hypervisors
- Experience designing, testing, or implementing complex Windows installations
- Experience participating in public and private information security groups and organizations
- Experience communicating vulnerability results and risk posture to senior executives
- Experience researching, evaluating, and developing security policies and guidance
- Experience performing complex technical tasks with minimal direction
Leidos Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Leidos and has not been reviewed or approved by Leidos.
-
Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, with multiple plan options, low office-visit copays in some plans, and access to mental health and wellness support tools. The availability of HSA/FSA options and employer contributions is positioned as a meaningful part of the total package.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are framed as a strong component of total rewards, highlighted by a 401(k) match and immediate vesting in the standard package. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is also presented as an additional long-term wealth-building feature.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle supports extend beyond core insurance, including wellness programs, fitness-related stipends, and assistance resources. Work flexibility and related perks are also included as part of the broader rewards experience.
Leidos Insights
What We Do
We Are Leidos For 50 years we have been tackling some of the biggest problems that face our nation and our world. OUR MISSION Through our culture of innovation and history of performance, we develop deep customer trust built on integrity and create enduring solutions that improve our world. Leidos is a science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and healthcare markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020. Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®. Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the newly launched Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos. Your most important work is ahead.
