At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct penetration tests on web apps, APIs, and infrastructure while leading client engagements.
- Company: Join a leading UK offensive security consultancy with a dynamic team of 70 experts.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, remote work, travel expenses, and clearance sponsorship.
- Other info: Flexible roles available with excellent career growth and mentoring opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working on diverse and exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Must have CHECK/CREST qualifications and hands-on penetration testing experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Fully Remote, UK (with client site visits as required)
Salary: £55,000 - £90,000 DOE + expenses + overnight bonus for site work
Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Summary: We are looking for experienced Penetration Testers to join one of the UK's larger dedicated offensive security practices. With a team of around 70 testers split across CHECK and CREST work, this is a well-established consultancy delivering high-quality assessments across a broad client base, with genuine variety in engagement type, sector, and technical depth. The team is structured across two streams, more commercially-driven engagements through CREST, and deeper, security-led work through CHECK, so there's a clear path whichever direction you want to lean. Multiple roles are available across mid and senior levels, and the company is flexible on starting clearance level.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver web application, API, and infrastructure penetration tests, taking ownership of engagements end-to-end from scoping through to final report delivery.
- Lead client-facing engagements, communicating high-risk findings as they are identified to support swift remediation.
- Produce clear, professional reports tailored to client-specific context and business risk.
- Support broader offensive security activities including red and purple team engagements, phishing simulations, and assumed-breach style assessments where relevant.
- Contribute to internal QA, mentor more junior consultants, and support report quality across the team.
- Stay up to date with the evolving threat landscape and contribute to internal R&D, tooling, and knowledge sharing.
Requirements:
- CHECK Team Member (CTM), CHECK Team Leader (CTL), CREST Registered Tester (CRT), or CREST Certified Tester (CCT) qualified, or actively progressing along either pathway at a senior level.
- Hands-on experience delivering web application, API, and/or infrastructure penetration tests in a professional consultancy setting.
- Strong understanding of common vulnerability classes (e.g. OWASP Top 10), exploitation techniques, and remediation guidance.
- Confident client-facing communication skills, with the ability to explain technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong written reporting skills, with the ability to produce clear, well-structured deliverables.
- A genuine passion for offensive security, demonstrated through CTFs, labs (e.g. Hack The Box, TryHackMe), research, certifications, or community involvement.
Clearance: Clearance requirements vary by role, some do not require any clearance, others are looking for SC or DV. The company will put successful candidates through the relevant clearance process where required, so existing clearance is welcomed but not essential across the board.
Benefits:
- Salary: £55,000 - £90,000, depending on experience, certifications and clearance level
- Fully remote working
- Overnight bonus for client site visits
- Travel and expenses covered for client work
- Clearance sponsorship (SC / DV) where required for the role
- Company pension scheme
Locations
Penetration Tester (CHECK / CREST) in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Oscar Associates (UK) Limited
Contact Detail:
Oscar Associates (UK) Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Penetration Tester (CHECK / CREST) in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow penetration testers and industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local meetups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your penetration testing projects, CTFs, or any relevant research. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your client-facing communication skills. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. We want to see how you can engage with clients and make them feel confident in your abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 Penetration Tester (CHECK / CREST) in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Penetration Tester role. Highlight your CHECK/CREST qualifications and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Show Off Your Writing Skills: Since strong written reporting skills are key for this role, include examples of reports or documentation you've created in the past. Clear, structured writing will help us see your ability to communicate technical findings effectively.
Be Authentic: Let your passion for offensive security shine through in your application. Whether it's through CTFs, labs, or community involvement, we love to see genuine enthusiasm. Share what excites you about the field!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oscar Associates (UK) Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially around web application, API, and infrastructure penetration testing. Be ready to discuss specific vulnerabilities like those in the OWASP Top 10 and share examples from your past experiences.
✨Client Communication is Key
Since this role involves client-facing engagements, practice explaining complex technical findings in simple terms. Think about how you would communicate high-risk issues to a non-technical audience and prepare some examples of how you've done this before.
✨Show Your Passion
Demonstrate your genuine interest in offensive security. Talk about any Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions you've participated in, labs you've worked on, or community involvement. This shows that you're not just in it for the job but truly passionate about the field.
✨Prepare for the Unexpected
Since no two weeks are the same in this role, be ready to discuss how you adapt to changing situations. Think of examples where you've had to pivot quickly during a project or engagement and how you handled it.