Senior ISSE/Penetration Tester TS/SCI Polygraph

Posted 17 Days Ago
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Annapolis Junction, MD, USA
In-Office
131K-237K Annually
Senior level
Information Technology • Software
The Role
The Senior ISSE/Penetration Tester will lead security testing efforts, perform vulnerability assessments, and collaborate with teams to enhance system security across a complex network environment.
Summary Generated by Built In

Senior ISSE/Penetration Tester

Leidos has an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Senior ISSE/Penetration Tester in our Intel Sector’s Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!  

Job Summary

A Senior ISSE/Penetration Tester (ISSE/PT) is needed to provide support for adding new capabilities to a complex system with exacting interface, performance and security requirements. The selected individual will become part of a team of Security Engineers working on solving challenging issues on a large, significant program. The position requires a solid understanding of security practices and policies as well as hands-on vulnerability testing experience. The selected individual will collaborate with other engineers and technical experts in providing improvements to our operational, test, integration, and development systems. The ISSE/PT will develop and lead Security Testing Events by conducting penetration testing, publishing results, and researching penetration testing tools to enhance our overall testing capabilities.

Primary Responsibilities

The selected candidate will have a range of day-to-day responsibilities across multiple activities, including the following:

  • Validating and verifying system security requirements and establishing system security designs for large-scale systems, major system elements, and interfacing systems that are part of a large complex network environment with geographically distributed components.

  • Identifying and implementing appropriate information security architectures and functionality to ensure uniform application of security policy and enterprise solutions.

  • Recommending and developing technical solutions, products, and standards based on current and desired system security architecture.

  • Assessing and mitigating system security threats and risks throughout the program life cycle.

  • Leading and/or contributing to the security planning, assessment, risk analysis, risk management, certification, and awareness activities for various system and networking operations.

  • Collaborating with multiple internal technical experts and communicating with Program Managers and customer POCs when necessary regarding security issues of significant importance.

  • Working closely with System Engineering, Test Engineering, and Integration teams to ensure that hardware and software architectures and implementations meet security requirements.

  • Analyzing and assessing system implementation against multiple security compliance policies and recommending and implementing enhancements.

  • Evaluating security solutions to ensure they meet customer specified requirements for processing information.

  • Evaluating the impact of new development on the operational security posture of the system.

  • Evaluating, reviewing, and testing critical software.

  • Proposing, assessing, coordinating, implementing, and enforcing information systems security policies, standards, and methodologies.

  • Auditing and assessing system security configuration settings using common methodologies and tools.

  • Managing and enforcing security strategies and policies that affect various components of geographically distributed systems.

  • Participating in Program Increment Planning and related agile team activities. 

  • Providing configuration management for security-relevant information system software.

  • Serving as a subject matter expert in security architecture to include providing advice to Program Managers, customer technical experts, and internal program teams.

  • Formulating security compliance requirements for new system features.

  • Identifying and remediating security issues throughout the system.

  • Supporting risk assessment, risk management, security control assessment, continuous monitoring, service design, and other IA program support functions.

  • Working with development teams to enrich team-wide understanding of different types of vulnerabilities, attack vectors and remediation approaches.

  • Planning and conducting security verification testing of relevant type 1 devices.

  • Performing internal and external pen tests against systems to determine vulnerabilities and develop mitigation strategies.

  • Performing web app pen tests.

  • Performing vulnerability risk assessments.

  • Performing physical pen tests and security engineering analysis and assessing the vulnerabilities/solutions for the pen testing.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Assurance, Information Security System Engineering, or a related discipline, and at least 12 years of relevant experience. Additional experience may be substituted for a degree.

  • Must have extensive, demonstrated knowledge of and experience with common security tools, such as Nessus, NMAP and Wireshark hardware/software security implementation, communication protocol, encryption techniques/tools, and web services.

  • Must have in-depth understanding and extensive experience with security practices and policies and hands-on vulnerability testing using Tenable Nessus scanning products and/or nmap (Network Mapper).

  • Must have experience with Defense in Depth Principals/technology, including access control, authorization, identification and authentication, public key infrastructure, network and enterprise security architecture, and applying risk assessment methodology to system development.

  • Must have experience applying Risk Management Framework.

  • Must have experience formulating and assessing IT security policy.

  • Must have experience with secure configurations of commonly used desktop and server operating systems.

  • Must have experience with penetration testing tools.

  • Must have experience developing and implementing integrated security services management processes, such as assessing and auditing network penetration testing, anti-virus planning assistance, risk analysis, and incident response.

  • Must have experience providing information assurance support for application development that includes system security certifications and project evaluations for firewalls that encompass system development, design, and implementation.

  • Must be comfortable working on multiple systems and components simultaneously in various configurations.

  • Must be able to effectively plan and prioritize tasking and communicate clearly regarding technical options and trade-offs.

  • Must be capable of performing high quality work both independently and with a team in a fast-moving environment.

  • Must have strong verbal and written communications skills.

  • Must be committed to adopting and adhering to best practices.

  • Clearance Required: Must have TS/SCI with Polygraph.

Preferred Qualifications

  • DoD 8570 compliance with IASAE Level 2 or 3.

  • Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP) Certification and/or Computer Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification.

  • Experience with scripting languages.

  • Candidates with certifications in the following areas are strongly preferred:

GIAC Web Applications Penetration Tester (GWAPT)

GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Web Application Defender (GWEB)

Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)

At Leidos, the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that allow them to thrive professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business. We look forward to learning more about you – apply today.

careers.leidos.com/CONMD

CSSKEY

CONMD

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:April 28, 2026

For 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.

Pay Range:Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Assurance, Information Security System Engineering, or a related discipline
  • 12 years of relevant experience
  • Knowledge of security tools like Nessus, NMAP, and Wireshark
  • In-depth understanding of security practices and hands-on vulnerability testing
  • Experience with Defense in Depth Principles and Risk Management Framework
  • Experience with secure configurations of desktop and server operating systems
  • Experience with penetration testing tools
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Must have TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance
  • Preferred DoD 8570 compliance with IASAE Level 2 or 3
  • ISSEP Certification and/or CISSP Certification preferred

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.

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The Company
Alexandria, VA
27,104 Employees
Year Founded: 1969

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.

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