Staff-Level Penetration Tester Interview Preparation Guide (FAANG Standard)
Penetration Tester
Staff
8 rounds
Updated 11/23/2025
This guide is based on general FAANG interview practices and may not reflect specific company procedures.
The Staff-level Penetration Tester interview process at FAANG companies typically consists of 8 rounds designed to assess deep technical expertise in security testing, advanced exploitation capabilities, strategic thinking, team leadership, and influence across organizations. The process evaluates both hands-on technical skills and the ability to mentor others, drive security initiatives, and contribute to long-term security strategy. Expect a rigorous evaluation of your ability to design large-scale security engagements, mentor junior penetration testers, and influence organizational security posture.
Interview Rounds
1
Recruiter Screening
30 min4 focus topicsbehavioral
2
Technical Round 1: Penetration Testing Foundations and Methodologies
90 min5 focus topicstechnical
3
Technical Round 2: Vulnerability Identification, Analysis, and Exploitation
90 min5 focus topicstechnical
4
Technical Round 3: Penetration Testing Tools, Automation, and Security Infrastructure
90 min5 focus topicstechnical
5
Technical Round 4: Advanced Threat Modeling, Architecture Security, and Complex Environments
90 min5 focus topicstechnical
6
Behavioral Round: Leadership, Mentorship, and Organizational Influence
60 min5 focus topicsbehavioral
7
System Design Round: Penetration Testing Engagement Planning and Security Program Architecture
90 min5 focus topicssystem design
8
Hiring Manager/Bar Raiser Round: Strategic Thinking and Organizational Fit
60 min5 focus topicsbehavioral
Additional Information