Lead Pentester - SC Cleared

In this role you will lead high-assurance penetration testing engagements across defence, government, and critical infrastructure. You’ll guide the offensive security team, mentor junior testers, and shape service offerings in a growing capability. You work with cross-functional stakeholders to translate security findings into actionable remediation. You’ll operate in challenging environments, staying ahead of threats while evolving methodologies and tooling. This is a hands-on leadership position with a strong emphasis on delivering business-risk insights.

• hybrid working
• competitive salary
• company benefits package
• training and certification support
• opportunities to work on defence and national security projects
• career development and leadership opportunities

• Lead and deliver penetration testing engagements across infrastructure, web applications, APIs, cloud, wireless networks and OT
• Plan, scope and align testing with NCSC CHECK standards and industry best practices
• Provide technical leadership and quality assurance across testing activities
• Produce detailed technical and executive reports communicating vulnerabilities and remediation
• Collaborate with customers and stakeholders to understand security requirements and deliver effective testing solutions
• Mentor junior penetration testers and CHECK Team Members
• Contribute to development of offensive security methodologies, tooling, automation and service offerings
• Stay updated on emerging threats and attack techniques

• Current CREST CHECK Team Leader (CTL) qualification – essential
• Strong hands-on penetration testing experience across infrastructure, apps, cloud or complex environments
• Experience planning, leading and delivering testing engagements
• Excellent technical report writing and ability to communicate to technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong stakeholder management and client-facing consulting skills
• Good understanding of cyber security frameworks, standards and best practices
• Experience with scripting/automation using Python, PowerShell, Bash or similar
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to obtain SC Security Clearance, potentially progressing to higher levels
• Willingness to travel to customer sites when required

• stakeholder management
• client-facing communication
• mentoring
• penetration testing across infrastructure, applications, cloud
• scripting/automation (Python, PowerShell, Bash)
• report writing