Mainframe and Web Application Security Senior Engineer - Senior Penetration Tester

Truist Bank is seeking a Senior Penetration Tester to lead advanced security assessments with a primary focus on enterprise mainframe environments, including z/OS. This role performs black box and grey box testing, documents and defends results, and works with engineering and risk partners to reduce exposure through repeatable testing methods and automation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct black box, grey box, and assumed breach penetration tests of enterprise z/OS environments, including USS (Unix System Services) and external security manager subsystems such as RACF, ACF2, and Top Secret.
• Assess mainframe workloads and technologies including CICS, IMS, Db2, MQ, batch processing using JCL and JES2, and TSO/ISPF usage.
• Test network-facing services such as TN3270, FTP, Z/OS Connect, Rest APIs, and NJE.
• Apply manual techniques and custom scripting using REXX, JCL, Assembler, and Python, along with offensive tooling to enumerate users and resources, map datasets, and evaluate access to unprotected spool and job output.
• Exploit misconfigured CICS transactions and insecure interfaces, and leverage findings to assess exploitability and business impact.
• Determine finding severity and risk using sound judgment based on evaluated exploitability and potential impact.
• Document findings with clear reproduction steps, supporting evidence, impact statements, and practical remediation recommendations.
• Present and defend technical findings in discussions with application teams, mainframe engineers, technology leaders, risk partners, and other stakeholders.
• Perform validation and retesting to confirm remediation and risk reduction.
• Maintain testing evidence to support audit, regulatory, and compliance requirements, including PCI DSS and SOX.
• Partner with internal and external testing teams to improve mainframe testing coverage, methodologies, playbooks, tooling, automation, and repeatable processes.
• Conduct peer reviews of penetration testing reports and provide technical guidance and mentorship to other security professionals.
• Maintain current knowledge of mainframe attack techniques, security controls, platform changes, offensive security practices, and relevant industry threats.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education, training, and work-related experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in security engineering or related cybersecurity roles.
• Deep specialized knowledge of cybersecurity principles, theories, and concepts.
• Proven experience in software development lifecycle security practices.
• Deep knowledge of threat modeling, security testing, and penetration testing.
• Experience implementing and managing complex information security technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of penetration testing, red team, offensive security, vulnerability research, or related cybersecurity experience.
• Hands-on experience assessing mainframe environments, including z/OS and common security components such as RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret.
• Knowledge of mainframe architecture, identity and access management, privileged access, JCL, TSO/ISPF, CICS, Db2, network services, system configuration, and security hardening.
• Experience identifying and validating mainframe vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, excessive access, insecure interfaces, and attack paths between mainframe and distributed environments.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, including the ability to explain and defend technical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to independently manage multiple testing engagements, adjust approach as priorities and requirements evolve, and drive work to completion.
• Experience developing scripts, automation, or AI-enabled tooling to streamline testing activities and improve repeatable processes.
• Experience in banking, financial services, or another highly regulated industry.
• Relevant offensive security certifications such as OSCP, OSEP, OSWE, GPEN, GXPN, or equivalent credentials.

Technology Stack

• z/OS
• USS (Unix System Services)
• RACF, ACF2, Top Secret
• CICS, IMS, db2, MQ
• JCL, JES2, TSO/ISPF
• TN3270, FTP, Z/OS Connect, Rest APIs, NJE
• REXX, Assembler, Python

Compensation

Annual base salary: USD 140,000 - 180,000. Additional incentive pay is available for this position.

Benefits

• Benefits eligibility for all regular teammates (not temporary or contingent workers) working 20 hours or more per week, with specific benefits determined by the division offering the position.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, tax-preferred savings accounts, and a 401k plan.
• No less than 10 days of vacation during the first year of employment (prorated by date of hire and full-time or part-time status), along with 10 sick days (also prorated), and paid holidays.
• May be eligible for Truist’s defined benefit pension plan, restricted stock units, and/or a deferred compensation plan depending on position and division.

Telecommuting and Workstyle

• Telecommuting/remote workstyle may be considered for well-qualified individuals located outside of the Truist footprint.
• Work hours will support Eastern Standard Time.

Work Authorization

For this opportunity, Truist will not sponsor an applicant for work visa status or employment authorization and will not offer immigration-related support for this position.

Location and Schedule

• Location: Charlotte, NC (remote)
• Work shift: 1st shift (United States of America)
• Language fluency: English (Required)

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education, training, and work-related experience.