OT Penetration Tester - Wireless (GSM / RF Mesh)

Role Overview

We are looking for a highly specialised OT Penetration Tester with strong experience in wireless communication networks (GSM and RF Mesh) within AMI / Smart Metering environments.

This role focuses on black-box security testing of OT networks, validating communication flows, resilience, and protocol-level vulnerabilities across large-scale distributed infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

1. Wireless OT Penetration Testing (Core)

• Perform black-box penetration testing on RF Mesh and private GSM networks in AMI environments
• Simulate real-world attack scenarios without access to internal system logic
• Test communication between smart meters, concentrators, and head-end systems

2. Functional & Protocol Validation

• Validate input/output behaviour using:
• Meter readings
• Commands
• Alerts / alarms
• Verify expected responses such as:
• Data acknowledgements
• Error handling
• Work with protocols:
• DLMS/COSEM
• Wireless M-Bus

3. Network Resilience & Interference Testing

• Simulate:
• Signal jamming
• Node failure
• Packet loss scenarios
• Assess:
• Network recovery
• Data integrity
• Stability of multi-hop RF mesh networks
• Work across frequency bands like:
• 902–928 MHz (RF Mesh)
• GSM spectrum

4. Security & Data Transmission Testing

• Analyse encrypted communication flows (without decryption)
• Identify vulnerabilities in:
• Authentication
• Data integrity
• Transmission security
• Ensure compliance with OT communication standards

5. Performance & Scalability Testing

• Conduct stress testing for:
• High-volume meter data transmission
• Large-scale AMI deployments
• Evaluate:
• Latency
• Throughput
• Network congestion handling

Mandatory Skills (Non-Negotiable)

• Strong experience in OT Security / ICS environments
• Hands-on wireless penetration testing (GSM / RF Mesh)
• Experience with AMI / Smart Metering systems
• Knowledge of:
• DLMS/COSEM protocol
• Wireless M-Bus
• Understanding of:
• RF communication (frequency bands, interference, propagation)
• Mesh network architecture (multi-hop networks)

Good to Have

• Experience with SCADA / ICS security testing
• Knowledge of IoT / embedded device security
• Familiarity with tools for RF analysis / wireless testing