Application Guide

How to Apply for Intern, Offensive Security Engineering

at Praetorian

🏢 About Praetorian

Praetorian is a premier offensive security firm known for its elite technical talent and challenging client engagements across critical infrastructure and enterprise environments. Unlike many security consultancies, Praetorian emphasizes custom tool development and methodology creation rather than relying solely on automated tools. Working here provides exposure to cutting-edge security research and high-impact projects for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.

About This Role

This internship involves hands-on offensive security engineering where you'll execute real client assessments, develop custom exploits and tools, and contribute to methodology improvements. You'll work on challenging projects that require creative problem-solving when off-the-shelf solutions fail, directly impacting client security postures. The role emphasizes both technical execution and translating vulnerability trends into tangible service enhancements.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve collaborating with senior engineers on a client assessment, developing custom payloads for a specific application vulnerability, and documenting methodology improvements based on findings. You'll likely spend time researching emerging attack techniques, testing custom tools against lab environments, and contributing to internal knowledge bases about vulnerability trends and assessment approaches.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Praetorian Is Looking For

  • Has practical experience with offensive security tools (Metasploit, Burp Suite, custom scripts) and can demonstrate this through labs, CTFs, or personal projects
  • Can show examples of custom payload or exploit development, not just usage of existing tools
  • Demonstrates ability to identify patterns in vulnerabilities and suggest practical improvements
  • Has experience with multiple assessment types (web app, network, cloud) and understands when to pivot methodologies

📝 Tips for Applying to Praetorian

1

Include specific examples of custom tool/payload development in your resume - link to GitHub repositories with clear documentation

2

Demonstrate understanding of Praetorian's technical blog and research publications by referencing specific articles in your cover letter

3

Highlight any experience with methodology development or process improvement in security assessments

4

Show how you've identified vulnerability trends in past projects and translated them into actionable improvements

5

Prepare to discuss at least one complex security assessment you've performed end-to-end, including challenges and custom solutions

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Specific examples of custom security tool or exploit development you've created", "How you've identified and acted on vulnerability trends in past projects", "Understanding of Praetorian's technical approach based on their research publications", 'Experience with end-to-end security assessments and methodology adaptation']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Praetorian's technical blog and research papers (particularly their methodology posts)
  • → Their client case studies and the types of industries they serve
  • → Their open-source tools and contributions to the security community
  • → Interviews with Praetorian engineers to understand their technical culture and approach
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through a complex security assessment you've performed, focusing on custom solutions you developed
2 Technical questions about exploit development for specific vulnerability classes (heap overflows, race conditions, logic flaws)
3 How you would approach a client engagement where standard tools fail to find vulnerabilities
4 Discussion of recent vulnerability trends and how they might impact assessment methodologies
5 Scenario-based questions about translating technical findings into business risk and service improvements
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Only listing tool usage without demonstrating custom development or adaptation
  • Generic security certifications without practical assessment experience
  • Focusing solely on automated scanning rather than manual testing and methodology development

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Praetorian!

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