Lead IT Systems Administrator

Description

New Wave Design is seeking a hands‑on Lead IT Systems Administrator to oversee the day‑to‑day operation, support, and continuous improvement of our information technology environment.

This role is ideal for an experienced IT professional who enjoys being close to the work supporting employees, administering systems, troubleshooting issues, managing infrastructure, coordinating vendors, and ensuring technology effectively supports the needs of the business.

The Lead IT Systems Administrator will provide functional leadership for New Wave Design's IT environment while remaining actively involved in daily IT administration and support. The position will work closely with departments across the organization to understand business requirements, resolve technology issues, implement practical solutions, and maintain a secure, reliable, and efficient technology environment.

As an Aerospace & Defense company, New Wave Design operates in a security‑and‑compliance‑focused environment. This position will support the company's cybersecurity and compliance requirements, including CMMC Level 2 and NIST SP 800-171, in partnership with internal leadership and outside resources as appropriate.

Responsibilities

IT System Administration & Support

• Oversee the day‑to‑day operation and administration of New Wave Design's IT systems, infrastructure, network, endpoints, applications, and related technology.
• Provide hands‑on technical support and troubleshooting for employees, including hardware, software, connectivity, account access, and system issues.
• Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade computers, software, peripherals, and other IT equipment.
• Administer user accounts, permissions, access controls, and related identity management processes.
• Maintain reliable network connectivity, file storage, backups, system availability, and endpoint performance.
• Coordinate technology setup and access for employee onboarding, transfers, and offboarding.
• Maintain IT asset inventories, software licensing, equipment records, and system documentation.
• Monitor the overall health and performance of the IT environment and proactively address issues.

Functional IT Management

• Provide functional leadership and direction for the company's IT activities and resources.
• Establish priorities for IT support, projects, system improvements, maintenance, and technology needs.
• Coordinate the work of internal IT resources, outside technology providers, consultants, and vendors as appropriate.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for day‑to‑day IT needs and technology‑related issues across the organization.
• Partner with functional leaders to understand business requirements and identify technology solutions that support department and company objectives.
• Evaluate IT requests and balance business needs, security, cost, usability, and available resources.
• Manage IT vendors, licensing, hardware/software procurement, renewals, and technology lifecycle planning.
• Support development and management of the IT operating budget.
• Identify opportunities to improve IT processes, systems, documentation, and user experience.

Infrastructure & Business Systems

• Support and administer the company's Microsoft and enterprise technology environments.
• Maintain servers, networks, endpoints, storage, backup solutions, and related infrastructure.
• Support business applications and systems used throughout the organization.
• Coordinate system upgrades, implementations, migrations, integrations, and other IT projects.
• Work with business functions to troubleshoot system issues and improve the effective use of technology.
• Maintain appropriate backup, recovery, and business continuity practices.
• Develop and maintain IT procedures, standards, documentation, and system configurations.

Cybersecurity & Compliance Support

• Maintain appropriate security controls across endpoints, networks, systems, accounts, and applications.
• Support New Wave Design's cybersecurity and compliance program, including requirements associated with CMMC Level 2 and NIST SP 800-171.
• Assist with cybersecurity assessments, audits, documentation, evidence collection, and corrective actions.
• Support the protection and appropriate handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and other sensitive company and customer information.
• Monitor and respond to security concerns, vulnerabilities, alerts, and incidents in coordination with internal leadership and outside cybersecurity resources.
• Maintain appropriate access controls, security configurations, patching, endpoint protection, backups, and related cybersecurity practices.
• Partner with specialized cybersecurity or compliance resources when expertise beyond the position's scope is required.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and relevant experience.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in IT systems administration, infrastructure, technical support, or a related IT function.
• Strong hands‑on knowledge of desktop support, hardware, software, networking, user administration, and IT infrastructure.
• Experience administering Microsoft-based business environments and supporting enterprise applications.
• Experience troubleshooting technical issues and supporting users with varying levels of technical knowledge.
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity fundamentals, including access management, endpoint security, patching, backups, and network security.
• Experience coordinating IT vendors, service providers, projects, or other technical resources.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple IT requests, projects, and operational needs.
• Strong problem‑solving, organization, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate business requirements into practical technology solutions.
• Ability to work independently while effectively partnering with employees and leaders throughout the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with one or more of the following is beneficial but not required:
• CMMC Level 2 and/or NIST SP 800-171
• Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
• ITAR and/or DFARS requirements
• Aerospace & Defense or other regulated industries
• Microsoft 365 administration
• Active Directory and/or Microsoft Entra ID
• Endpoint management and security tools
• Network administration, firewalls, VPNs, and wireless infrastructure
• Backup and disaster recovery solutions
• Cloud environments, including AWS
• Cybersecurity assessments or compliance audits
• IT project or vendor management

Physical Parameters

• Must be able to lift and carry 20 pounds.
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds over the head
• Must have finger and wrist dexterity with repetitive motion

Due to the type of work at our facilities and certain access restrictions, successful applicants must be of a "U.S. Person". The candidate must be able to prove so, with remittance of proper identification supporting so, upon an acceptance of employment.

What we offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Four weeks of vacation for all employees
• 9 paid holidays observed annually
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Voluntary coverages include, vision, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance
• Flexible work schedules

Diversity drives innovation; and inclusion drives success. NWD knows our employees are our greatest asset. With a focus on collaboration, innovation, respect, and a commitment to providing professional development opportunities, work‑life balance initiatives, and a fulfilling employee experience, the NWD employees can tackle the toughest challenges in our industry as we deliver intelligent computing solutions at the edge. At NWD, you can grow your career and make a meaningful impact.

Salary Range

$125,400.00-$177,300.00 annually

Please know that the salary information is a general guideline only. NWD considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities for the position candidates' work experience education/training key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.

About New Wave Design

NWD is an industry‑leading designer of high‑bandwidth, ultra‑low latency rugged network hardware and IP cores, serving the Aerospace and Defense market for over 20 years. Our FPGA‑based solutions power the future of our client’s most advanced mission processing, electronic warfare, sensor fusion, ISR, test & measurement, and maintenance applications. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, NWD solves the most challenging networking and sensor processing problems with products based on standard form factors including VPX and XMC, as well as emerging industry standards and custom solutions.

New Wave Design is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.