IT Manager

IT Manager
Location: Irvine, CA
Fulltime/Onsite

Position Summary:
We are seeking an IT Manager who is a hands-on leader responsible for managing, maintaining, and supporting all aspects of the company's IT infrastructure, systems, and daily operations. This role is deeply involved in resolving day-to-day technical issues, partnering closely with teams such as HR and Operations to ensure smooth processes for onboarding, offboarding, and employee technology needs. The IT Manager leads by example - balancing direct technical work with managing IT projects, vendors, and ongoing improvements that align with business goals
Essential Job Functions and Desired Accomplishments

• Provide direct, hands-on technical support for daily IT issues, including hardware, software, network, connectivity, and system access.
• Manage and maintain IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure), and telecommunications systems.
• Oversee proactive system monitoring, patch management, and upgrades to minimize downtime and security vulnerabilities.
• Ensure 24/7 security and protection of the technology environment, including endpoint, network, and cloud security, with proper access controls and compliance measures.
• Lead IT projects and initiatives, including system implementations, upgrades, and process improvements that enhance operations and employee productivity.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex technical issues and ensure timely resolution of critical incidents.
• Lead, mentor, and develop IT team members, fostering a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain IT support SLAs and KPIs, ensuring timely, effective service and high customer satisfaction.
• Manage IT asset lifecycle, including procurement, inventory, and secure decommissioning of hardware and software.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., HR, Operations, Finance) to support technology needs, onboarding/offboarding, and compliance with industry standards and customer requirements, especially in aerospace, defense, and government sectors.
• Coordinate and oversee business continuity and disaster recovery plans, including development, documentation, and regular testing to ensure operational resilience.
• Partner with leadership and business units to define IT project requirements, prioritize initiatives, and manage execution.
• Manage vendors, service providers, and software licensing, ensuring effective solutions, contract management, and cost optimization.
• Collaborate with external partners to augment IT capabilities and deploy/optimize technologies as needed.
• Stay current on IT trends and emerging technologies, making recommendations aligned with company goals and budgets.
• Document and maintain IT policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure security, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Train and support employees on technology tools and IT security best practices to maximize effectiveness and minimize risks.

Education/Qualifications/Certifications
Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years of progressive IT experience, including 3+ years in an IT leadership or management role, managing small teams and providing hands-on technical escalation and guidance.
• Proven experience growing and developing IT departments, including building out teams, processes, and scalable support structures.
• Strong technical expertise to guide and escalate issues for IT infrastructure, service desk, and security operations.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge and experience managing IT environments compliant with NIST 800-171 or equivalent security frameworks, and ability to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Knowledge of Microsoft GCC High environment and secure cloud services supporting government contracting requirements.
• Solid working knowledge of Cisco ASA Firewalls and Meraki networking technologies, including configuration, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

Desired:

• Relevant certifications such as ITIL, CISSP, CompTIA Security+, Network+, Cisco, or Microsoft certifications.
• Experience working in Aerospace, Defense, or Government Consulting industries, including supporting classified or export-controlled environments.
• Familiarity with service management platforms (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow) and modern endpoint management solutions.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and external consultants to augment IT capabilities.