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- Tasks: Conduct penetration tests and simulate real-world attacks to enhance cybersecurity.
- Company: Join Darktrace, a global leader in AI-driven cybersecurity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 23 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a birthday day off.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in penetration testing and proficiency with industry-standard tools required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Darktrace is a global leader in AI for cybersecurity that keeps organizations ahead of the changing threat landscape every day. Founded in 2013, Darktrace provides the essential cybersecurity platform protecting nearly 10,000 organizations from unknown threats using its proprietary AI. The Darktrace Active AI Security Platform™ delivers a proactive approach to cyber resilience to secure the business across the entire digital estate – from network to cloud to email.
As a Penetration Tester within the internal cybersecurity team, you’ll play a key role in identifying and mitigating security risks across the organisation’s digital landscape. This position requires hands‑on experience in offensive security and a deep understanding of network, application, and cloud‑based vulnerabilities.
What will I be doing?
- Conducting thorough penetration tests, simulating real‑world attacks, and delivering actionable insights to both security and development teams.
- Performing penetration tests on web applications, networks, APIs, mobile apps, and cloud environments.
- Simulating real‑world attack scenarios to assess system and infrastructure resilience.
- Producing detailed technical reports and executive summaries for stakeholders.
- Collaborating with internal teams to validate findings and support remediation efforts.
- Staying up to date with emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and offensive security techniques.
Note this is a hybrid role, with a compulsory attendance of 2 days a week in either the Cambridge or London office.
What experience do I need?
To succeed in this role, you’ll need a solid background in penetration testing or offensive security, along with hands‑on experience using industry‑standard tools and frameworks. A strong grasp of security principles and methodologies is essential, as is the ability to communicate findings clearly and effectively.
Other qualifications and skills include:
- Proficiency with tools like Burp Suite, Nmap, Metasploit, Nessus, and Kali Linux, plus scripting skills in Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
- Strong understanding of OWASP Top 10, MITRE ATT&CK, CVSS scoring, and familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and container security.
- Relevant certifications such as OSCP, CREST CRT, or eCPPT are highly desirable, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable Attributes
- Ability to mentor junior testers and contribute to internal tooling.
Benefits
- 23 days’ holiday + all public holidays, rising to 25 days after 2 years of service.
- Additional day off for your birthday.
- Private medical insurance which covers you, your cohabiting partner and children.
- Life insurance of 4 times your base salary.
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme.
- Enhanced family leave.
- Confidential Employee Assistance Program.
- Cycle to work scheme.
Specialist Penetration Tester employer: Darktrace
Contact Detail:
Darktrace Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Penetration Tester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend cybersecurity meetups, conferences, or online webinars. It's a great way to connect with industry folks and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio of your penetration testing projects. Whether it's a blog, GitHub repo, or even a YouTube channel, let us see what you can do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Use platforms like Hack The Box or TryHackMe to sharpen your skills. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Penetration Tester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Penetration Tester role. Highlight your hands-on experience with offensive security and any relevant tools you've used. We want to see how your skills match up with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any penetration testing projects, be sure to include them in your application. We love seeing real-world examples of your work, so don’t hold back on sharing your successes and learnings!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about cybersecurity and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and make sure it reflects your personality – we want to get to know you!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Darktrace
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the tools mentioned in the job description, like Burp Suite and Metasploit. Practise using them in real-world scenarios so you can confidently discuss your experience during the interview.
✨Understand the Threat Landscape
Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. Being able to discuss recent incidents or trends will show your passion for the field and your proactive approach to security.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your knowledge of penetration testing methodologies and frameworks. Brush up on OWASP Top 10 and MITRE ATT&CK, and be ready to explain how you would approach specific scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll need to produce reports and communicate findings, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical teams.