IT Systems Administrator

IT Systems Administrator

Broomfield, CO · on-site · periodic travel to Chugwater, WY · Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

THE MISSION

Astra Core-X (ACX) is developing affordable and capable combined ramjet/rocket technology for the defense of the United States and our allies. We're rapidly bringing this capability to market by pairing the latest manufacturing processes and technology with solid financial backing and the guidance of world-class industry experts and research institutions.

Over the past year ACX has grown from a founding team into a roughly 40-person organization standing up its own development production capability out of Broomfield, Colorado and a production/test site in Chugwater, Wyoming. We're mid-build on a production facility and targeting a working pilot line within the next year. At this size, every hire directly shapes how the company runs.

Our work exists to make American service members and allied forces safer. We're glad to have teammates who've carried that mission in uniform, and we welcome veterans and transitioning service members to apply.

THE ROLE

Our engineers, technicians, and business staff work across two sites, and today we rely on outside providers for most of our IT. We need one person who owns it. You'll be our first dedicated IT hire: the person employees go to when something breaks, and the person who decides how our systems should be set up so they break less often.

Day to day, that means supporting people: laptops and engineering workstations, Microsoft 365 accounts, network access, and the engineering software our team depends on. It also means building the structure behind it, including identity and access management, endpoint security, backups, asset and license tracking, and the documentation that keeps critical knowledge from living in one person's head.

We handle export-controlled technical data and are building toward AS9100 certification and CMMC compliance, so security and access control are part of the job from day one. You'll work with leadership and our outside cybersecurity and compliance specialists to put the right controls in place, and you'll help us build a practical IT roadmap and budget. As we scale, this role can grow into an IT manager position.

We're deliberately small and deliberately fast, and we equip every team — not just engineering — with modern software and AI-assisted tools so a lean group can run like a much bigger one. You'll help us choose, secure, and support those tools.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Serve as the primary IT contact for employees at both sites, supporting hardware, software, connectivity, collaboration tools, and account access, and closing the loop on every request.

Administer Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Windows, and endpoint management tools, including multifactor authentication, security groups, privileged accounts, and periodic access reviews.

Deploy and maintain laptops, engineering workstations, mobile devices, printers, and conference room technology, and own IT onboarding and offboarding: device setup, account provisioning, access permissions, timely access removal, and equipment recovery.

Keep both sites connected, including wired and wireless networks, internet service, firewalls, and remote access, bringing in outside specialists where it makes sense.

Implement and maintain foundational security: endpoint protection, device encryption, patching, and secure configurations. Work with leadership and outside specialists to meet applicable security requirements, maintain documentation, and close identified gaps.

Manage backup and recovery for critical systems and data, including recovery testing.

Support engineering software installation, licensing, license servers, and workstation requirements in partnership with application vendors and technical users.

Maintain the IT asset inventory, software license records, equipment standards, and replacement plans, and coordinate purchasing, renewals, warranties, and vendor support.

Assess our current tools and configurations, recommend priorities, and help leadership build a practical IT roadmap and budget.

Set up straightforward processes for support requests, system changes, and outage communication, and document systems, procedures, and vendor contacts so essential knowledge is accessible.

Coach employees on secure information handling, and automate routine administration.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

5+ years of progressive experience in IT support and systems administration, including independently administering business systems and resolving complex technical issues.

Experience owning IT broadly for a small or growing company, or independently supporting a site or business unit.

Hands-on administration of Microsoft 365, Windows, Entra ID, and endpoint management tools.

Working knowledge of networking (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, Wi-Fi, firewalls, VPN) and endpoint security (patching, encryption, MFA, least-privilege access).

Hands-on experience implementing NIST SP 800-171 controls for CMMC, including protecting controlled unclassified information, maintaining a System Security Plan, and closing POA&M items.

Experience managing IT vendors and service providers, and the judgment to know when to bring in a specialist.

A habit of building repeatable processes and documentation where none exist, and the ability to balance user support, operational risk, and improvement projects with limited resources.

Clear communication, follow-through on every request, and discretion with sensitive information and administrative access.

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and experience.

This role requires administrative access to export-controlled technical data and controlled-access facilities. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

NICE TO HAVE

Experience as a company's first IT hire, or standing up IT operations at a startup.

Experience supporting aerospace, defense, engineering, manufacturing, or other regulated environments.

Experience supporting Ansys, Autodesk, Siemens, or SolidWorks, including CAD/CAE license servers and engineering data management tools.

Experience with Microsoft 365 GCC High or a CMMC Level 2 certification assessment.

PowerShell or other scripting experience for automating routine administration.

CompTIA Network+ or Security+, Microsoft, or other relevant IT certifications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Lift and move equipment up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work under desks, in network closets, and in lab and production areas, using the required PPE.

Travel periodically to our Chugwater, Wyoming site, roughly 140 miles each way.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range for this role is $90,000 – $130,000 base, based on experience. The top of the range is for candidates who have taken an organization through a CMMC Level 2 certification assessment.

Full-time employees are eligible for company-sponsored medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Astra Core-X is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants on their merits and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Many ACX positions require access to export-controlled technical data; where this posting states a citizenship requirement, it reflects that legal restriction and does not otherwise limit our commitment to equal opportunity in hiring.