Cybersecurity Incident Response and Penetration Testing Lead

Job overview

The Cybersecurity Incident Response and Penetration Testing Lead role is hybrid, with two to three onsite days per week in Alexandria, VA and the first 30 days full-time onsite; compensation is $75–$80 per hour. The role supports enterprise cybersecurity incident response and offensive security initiatives. The lead coordinates incident response and penetration testing programs, using exercises, assessments, metrics, and remediation guidance to improve cyber defense and organizational readiness. The position is a contract-to-hire opportunity, with conversion to full-time employment following the contract duration.

What you'll do

• Lead enterprise incident response across infrastructure, applications, systems, and cloud
• maintain incident response plans and procedures
• coordinate triage through recovery
• conduct exercises and reporting
• lead penetration testing, red-team, purple-team, and adversary-emulation activities
• track findings and remediation
• and integrate work with vulnerability management, threat modeling, monitoring, and compliance.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

cybersecurity incident response lead

penetration testing

incident response

csirt

red team

purple team

adversary emulation

public trust clearance

alexandria va

hybrid

$75–$80/hr

eliassen group

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• For W-2 consultants: medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401(k) with company matching, and life insurance.
• Regularly scheduled W-2 employees working 30 or more hours per week are eligible for additional listed benefits, including pre-tax accounts and sick time where required by law.

Why this role

Requires U.S. citizenship and an active Public Trust clearance; applicants must be able to work on a W-2 basis and convert to full-time employment after the contract duration. Master of Science degree in IT, information security, or a related field required.

About the employer

Eliassen Group is hiring for this role. Industry: Engineering Services. Sector: 54.