Principal Red Team Operator

When you join Verizon You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely — even if they’re daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love — driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together — lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife. As an experienced Red Team Operator in the telecommunications industry, you will play a critical role in proactively identifying vulnerabilities and security gaps within Verizon’s infrastructure, applications, and processes. This role focuses on emulating real-world adversarial techniques to evaluate and improve Verizon’s defensive capabilities, ensuring the security of customer data and network infrastructure. You will collaborate closely with internal teams to simulate advanced persistent threats (APTs) and execute red team engagements tailored to the unique challenges of the telecommunications sector. This position requires a deep understanding of telco-specific systems, such as enterprise-scale complex networks, 4G & 5G wireless network infrastructure, cloud technology, and more. Strong understanding of network equipment and networking protocols is required. With the right mindset, this is a great opportunity to leverage deep mobile network experience to shift into an offensive cybersecurity role. Key Responsibilities: Adversary Emulation: Conduct red team exercises that emulate realistic threats targeting telco-specific systems, including wireline/wireless network infrastructure and supporting systems. Vulnerability Exploitation: Identify, exploit, and report vulnerabilities in critical telco systems and infrastructure Post-Engagement Reporting: Deliver comprehensive technical reports and executive summaries that outline findings, exploit paths, and remediation recommendations Collaboration: Work closely with blue team to develop detection and prevention strategies informed by red team exercises Threat Intelligence: Stay updated on the latest attack techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) relevant to the telecommunications industry Continuous Improvement: Provide insights to enhance the organization’s security posture through collaboration with peers in both security and operations. ***This role can be located in any US based Verizon hub location.*** What we’re looking for... You’ll need to have: Bachelor’s degree or four or more years of work experience. Six or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training. Strong understanding of 4G/5G protocols and interfaces to include GTP, Diameter, SS7, S1-MME, S1-U, and S11, HTTP/2 Service-Based Architecture Strong understanding of 4G/5G core network architecture, and supporting systems. Even better if you have one or more of the following: A degree in engineering, cyber security or computer science. Knowledge of 3GPP standards relevant to EPC, 4GCore, 5GSA, 5GCore, and 5G/ LTE radio access, VoLTE/VoNR Industry Knowledge: Strong foundational knowledge in enterprise networking technologies and protocols (routers, switches, VPN, load balancers, TCP/IP, Internet numbering – IP, ASN, CIDR, subnetting, etc) Strong Linux skills Strong coding and scripting skills (Python, Bash, PowerShell, etc.). Ability to vet exploit code to understand what it does. Knowledge of network architecture and cloud environments (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenStack, OpenShift) Problem Solving: Ability to think like an attacker and devise innovative attack scenarios targeting telco environments Soft Skills: Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to effectively interact with technical and non-technical stakeholders Certifications such as OSCP, OSCE, or OSEP or GIAC certifications like GPEN, GXPN, or GWAPT Familiarity with security challenges in running Internet-scale networks, wireless core components, cloud, and edge computing If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every “even better” qualification listed above. Where you’ll be working In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes working from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office, which will be set by your manager. Employees are responsible for maintaining compliance with hybrid work policies. Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Equal Employment Opportunity Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics. Benefits and Compensation Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we’ve got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances. The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours. The annual salary range for the location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $120,500.00 - $231,000.00.