Senior Penetration Tester / Red Team Engineer

Practice - CIS - Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security Services

About Cloud Infrastructure & Security Services: Cognizant's Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security Services Practice (CIS), is all about embracing digital transformation by driving core modernization holistically across layers. We help customers transform infrastructure and workplace to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the digital era. Our holistic approach delivers key results for our customers by achieving cloud driven modernization and workplace and operational transformation to run the business in a secure environment.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Penetration Tester / Red Team Engineer to conduct advanced offensive security assessments across applications, networks, infrastructure, cloud, APIs, and endpoint environments. This role will simulate real-world cyberattacks to identify exploitable weaknesses, validate security controls, and improve enterprise cyber resilience. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in penetration testing, exploitation, security automation, and vulnerability analysis. The position requires strong hands-on technical skills combined with the ability to clearly communicate security risks and remediation recommendations.

In this role, you will:

• Conduct comprehensive penetration testing across web applications, APIs, networks, cloud environments, mobile applications, and Windows/Linux systems.
• Perform vulnerability assessments using automated scanning platforms and advanced manual testing techniques to identify exploitable security weaknesses.
• Simulate realistic adversary scenarios to evaluate authentication, authorization, access controls, network defenses, and overall security resilience.
• Identify and validate vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, exposed credentials, insecure code, and potential attack paths across enterprise environments.
• Utilize offensive security tools such as Burp Suite, Metasploit, Nmap, Kali Linux, Pentera, and vulnerability scanning platforms.
• Develop Python and Bash scripts, automation utilities, and custom testing approaches to improve penetration testing efficiency and coverage.
• Document assessment methodologies, technical evidence, risk impact, and findings while providing clear remediation recommendations to stakeholders.
• Partner with application, infrastructure, cloud, and security teams to remediate identified vulnerabilities and validate fixes through retesting.
• Research emerging threats, CVEs, OWASP vulnerabilities, exploitation techniques, and evolving offensive security methodologies.
• Support security assessments, compliance initiatives, risk reviews, and continuous improvement of enterprise offensive security capabilities.

What you need to have to be considered

• 8+ years of hands-on experience in Penetration Testing, Red Teaming, Offensive Security, or Security Engineering.
• Expert-level experience conducting penetration tests across web applications, networks, APIs, endpoints, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure.
• Strong expertise in vulnerability exploitation, attack-path analysis, credential security, authentication testing, and security control validation.
• Advanced hands-on experience with offensive security tools such as Burp Suite, Metasploit, Nmap, Kali Linux, Pentera Console/Surface, and vulnerability scanners.
• Strong scripting and automation skills using Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar technologies.
• Deep understanding of OWASP, CVE/CVSS, MITRE ATT&CK, network security, application security, and modern attack methodologies.
• Experience working with development and infrastructure teams to provide remediation guidance and perform validation/retesting of security fixes.
• Strong technical reporting skills with the ability to communicate vulnerabilities, business impact, and remediation priorities to technical and leadership audiences.
• Relevant certifications such as OSCP, OSEP, OSWE, GPEN, GXPN, CRTO, or equivalent offensive security certifications are preferred.

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Applications will be accepted until 30 Oct 2026.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual salary for this position is between $[134,000 - 154,500] depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Additional employment information

Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Applicants for US based positions must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The company is unable to provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for US based positions.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email CareersNA2@cognizant.com for roles based in the Americas or CareersIndia2@cognizant.com for roles based in India.

About Cognizant:

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization's unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.