Penetration Tester (CHECK / CREST) in Portsmouth

Penetration Tester (CHECK / CREST) in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Full-Time 55000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office possible
Oscar Associates (UK) Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Conduct penetration tests on web applications, APIs, and infrastructure while leading client engagements.
  • Company: Join a leading UK consultancy in offensive security with a dynamic team of experts.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, remote work, travel expenses, and a pension scheme.
  • Other info: Flexible roles available with excellent career growth and mentorship opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working on diverse and exciting projects.
  • Qualifications: Must have CHECK or 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.

This role is fully remote with client site visits as required. No two weeks look the same.

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

Penetration Tester (CHECK / CREST) in Portsmouth employer: Oscar Associates (UK) Limited

Join a leading offensive security consultancy that values flexibility and employee growth, offering fully remote work with opportunities for client site visits across the UK. With a strong focus on professional development, mentorship, and a diverse range of projects, you'll thrive in a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and continuous learning. Enjoy competitive salaries, travel expenses, and a supportive culture that prioritises your career advancement in the dynamic field of cybersecurity.
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 Portsmouth

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow penetration testers and industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local meetups. Building connections can lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your penetration testing projects, CTF achievements, or any relevant research. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do beyond your CV.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your communication skills. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to convey findings to both tech-savvy clients and those who might not be as familiar with the jargon.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it shows you're proactive and keen on landing that Penetration Tester role!

We think you need these skills to ace Penetration Tester (CHECK / CREST) in Portsmouth

Penetration Testing
Web Application Testing
API Testing
Infrastructure Testing
Client-Facing Communication
Report Writing
Vulnerability Assessment
Exploitation Techniques
Remediation Guidance
Offensive Security
Knowledge of OWASP Top 10
Mentoring
Research Skills
Clearance Processing

Some tips for your application 🫡

Keep Your CV Fresh: Before you hit that apply button, make sure your CV is up to date. Highlight your relevant experience in penetration testing and any certifications you've got under your belt. We want to see what makes you stand out!

Tailor Your Application: Read through the job specs carefully and tailor your application to match. Use keywords from the description to show us you understand what we're looking for. This helps us see how you fit into our team!

Show Off Your Skills: When writing your cover letter, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them in real-world scenarios. We love seeing examples of your work, especially if it relates to web applications, APIs, or infrastructure testing.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our awesome team!

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 and API penetration testing. Be ready to discuss common vulnerabilities like those in the OWASP Top 10 and share your experiences with exploitation techniques.

✨Show Off Your Communication Skills

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 be prepared to demonstrate this during the interview.

✨Tailor Your Approach

Research the company and its clients to understand their specific needs. Prepare to discuss how your experience aligns with their work in both CHECK and CREST streams, and be ready to explain how you can contribute to their offensive security activities.

✨Be Passionate and Engaged

Show your genuine interest in offensive security by discussing any relevant projects, CTFs, or community involvement. This will not only highlight your passion but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated with the evolving threat landscape.

Penetration Tester (CHECK / CREST) in Portsmouth
Oscar Associates (UK) Limited
Location: Portsmouth

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