AWS Penetration Tester

Description

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Security Operations Center (SOC) is a U.S. Government program responsible for preventing, identifying, containing, and eradicating cyber threats to CBP networks through continuous monitoring, intrusion detection, and protective security services for CBP information systems, including LAN/WAN, commercial Internet connections, public-facing websites, wireless, mobile/cellular, cloud, security devices, servers, and workstations. The CBP SOC is responsible for the overall security of CBP enterprise-wide information systems and for collecting, investigating, and reporting any suspected or confirmed security violations.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Penetration Tester to join our team supporting the CBP SOC. The candidate will conduct comprehensive security assessments of CBP FISMA systems to identify vulnerabilities and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the security posture of CBP’s critical systems and networks. This role requires a deep understanding of offensive cybersecurity techniques, strong analytical capabilities, detailed report-writing skills, and the ability to work as part of a team.

• Conduct penetration testing activities aligned with CBP and industry best practices.
• Perform internal and external web application, network, and infrastructure penetration-test 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 security teams to verify and remediate vulnerabilities.
• Support tool development, methodology improvements, and team-wide knowledge sharing.
• Assist in verifying Bug Bounty findings and remediations.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in a related discipline, or equivalent experience/combined education, with 3 to 8 years of professional experience; or 3 to 5 years with a master’s degree.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in Pen Testing and Vulnerability Assessment, with emphasis on web application and enterprise network environments.
• 3 to 8 years of professional experience in incident detection and response, malware analysis, or cyber forensics.
• Must be able to work in the office in Ashburn, VA 2–5 days per week as required by the customer.
• Must have U.S. citizenship to be considered for this position due to the customer clearance required.
• Specific experience (1–3 years for T3 or 3–5 years for T4) in at least one of the following specialties:
  • Network penetration testing
  • Web application penetration testing
  • Active Directory penetration testing
  • Mobile application penetration testing
  • Cloud infrastructure penetration testing
  • RF penetration testing
• Experience with at least one (T3) or three (T4) of the following tools:
  • Kali Linux
  • Metasploit
  • Burp Suite Pro
  • Cobalt Strike / Sliver
  • Tenable Nessus
  • Tenable Security Center
  • Bloodhound
  • BladeRF / HakRF
  • Hak5 equipment
  • Wireshark / tcpdump
  • Prowler
  • Scout suite

• CISSP
• GISF
• GXPN
• OSCE
• OSEE
• AWS Certified Security – Specialty
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
• Ability to brief senior government leadership on penetration-testing requirements and results
• Red Team operator experience
• Experience creating and updating SOPs
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Communication skills

• At least one penetration-testing certification: OSCP, GPEN, CRTO, OSWP, GWAPT, AWS Solutions Architect Associate.
• In addition to the specific security clearance requirements, all CBP SOC employees must successfully complete a CBP Background Investigation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. CBP will also consider applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.