Senior Penetration Tester (UKTL)
| Posting date: | 16 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 July 2026 |
| Location: | Solihull, West Midlands |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | National Physical Laboratory |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | UKTL |
Summary
Dive Deep. Make an Impact. Build Secure Systems.
You’re driven by curiosity and a desire to understand how things really work — and how they can be made more secure. Whether dissecting telecoms protocols, exploring enterprise systems, or analysing hardware, you take a hands-on, analytical approach to solving complex challenges.
In this role, you’ll join a collaborative and inclusive team where your expertise is valued, your ideas are heard, and your work directly contributes to strengthening real-world systems. You’ll have the freedom to explore, experiment, and grow — while helping shape the security of next-generation networks.
As a senior member of the team, you’ll also play an important role in supporting and mentoring others, helping to develop the next generation of security testing specialists.
What You’ll Be Doing
Lead and deliver security assessments across complex hardware, software, and telecoms systems.
Conduct hands-on penetration testing within a dedicated in-house lab environment, ensuring safe and controlled testing.
Apply advanced testing techniques — including both positive and negative approaches (e.g. fuzzing) — to rigorously assess network functions and protocols.
Identify, investigate, and clearly articulate vulnerabilities and security risks to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Develop scripts and automate testing processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
Produce high-quality, insightful technical reports that support remediation and strengthen security posture.
Mentor and support junior team members through hands-on guidance and knowledge sharing.
Contribute to the development of test strategies and help shape the direction of security assessments.
Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week
We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.
About You
You’ll thrive in this role if you:
Have strong experience in penetration testing, with a solid understanding of exploitation techniques and how they apply in real-world environments.
Enjoy deep technical problem solving and working across complex, evolving systems.
Bring a collaborative mindset — sharing knowledge, supporting others, and contributing fresh ideas.
Are passionate about security testing and committed to continuous learning and staying ahead of emerging threats.
Have a background in areas such as networking, infrastructure, software development, or telecoms (preferred but not essential).
What You’ll Learn
You’ll bring solid experience — and we’ll help you take it even further.
Whether you already have knowledge of telecoms protocols such as Diameter, HTTP/2, SCTP, and NGAP, or demonstrate a strong ability to learn them quickly, we’ll support your growth every step of the way.
You’ll gain access to leading training platforms and work towards industry-recognised certifications, helping you continuously develop your expertise.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you — let’s build something secure together.
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. To work in this role, you will need to hold an SC clearance with no restrictions. You are welcome to apply without already holding SC clearance; however, you will not be able to start in post until the clearance has been successfully granted.
You’re driven by curiosity and a desire to understand how things really work — and how they can be made more secure. Whether dissecting telecoms protocols, exploring enterprise systems, or analysing hardware, you take a hands-on, analytical approach to solving complex challenges.
In this role, you’ll join a collaborative and inclusive team where your expertise is valued, your ideas are heard, and your work directly contributes to strengthening real-world systems. You’ll have the freedom to explore, experiment, and grow — while helping shape the security of next-generation networks.
As a senior member of the team, you’ll also play an important role in supporting and mentoring others, helping to develop the next generation of security testing specialists.
What You’ll Be Doing
Lead and deliver security assessments across complex hardware, software, and telecoms systems.
Conduct hands-on penetration testing within a dedicated in-house lab environment, ensuring safe and controlled testing.
Apply advanced testing techniques — including both positive and negative approaches (e.g. fuzzing) — to rigorously assess network functions and protocols.
Identify, investigate, and clearly articulate vulnerabilities and security risks to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Develop scripts and automate testing processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
Produce high-quality, insightful technical reports that support remediation and strengthen security posture.
Mentor and support junior team members through hands-on guidance and knowledge sharing.
Contribute to the development of test strategies and help shape the direction of security assessments.
Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week
We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.
About You
You’ll thrive in this role if you:
Have strong experience in penetration testing, with a solid understanding of exploitation techniques and how they apply in real-world environments.
Enjoy deep technical problem solving and working across complex, evolving systems.
Bring a collaborative mindset — sharing knowledge, supporting others, and contributing fresh ideas.
Are passionate about security testing and committed to continuous learning and staying ahead of emerging threats.
Have a background in areas such as networking, infrastructure, software development, or telecoms (preferred but not essential).
What You’ll Learn
You’ll bring solid experience — and we’ll help you take it even further.
Whether you already have knowledge of telecoms protocols such as Diameter, HTTP/2, SCTP, and NGAP, or demonstrate a strong ability to learn them quickly, we’ll support your growth every step of the way.
You’ll gain access to leading training platforms and work towards industry-recognised certifications, helping you continuously develop your expertise.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you — let’s build something secure together.
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. To work in this role, you will need to hold an SC clearance with no restrictions. You are welcome to apply without already holding SC clearance; however, you will not be able to start in post until the clearance has been successfully granted.
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Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.