IT Manager

IT Infrastructure & Operations Manager

AIT is the world's largest provider of automation, factory integration and tooling solutions dedicated to the global aerospace, defense, and space launch vehicle industries. AIT offers a competitive compensation package (including free medical options for employees and their family), casual work environment and excellent growth opportunities.

The IT Infrastructure & Operations Manager is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for the administration, support, security, and continuous improvement of the company's IT infrastructure, systems, and operations across multiple U.S. locations. This is a working manager position requiring active participation in technical execution while leading IT staff, vendors, and enterprise-wide initiatives.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with leadership and project management experience, including implementation of large-scale initiatives affecting multiple business units such as ERP deployments, infrastructure migrations, cybersecurity/compliance programs, acquisitions/integrations, and end-user technology refreshes. This role is intended for a highly accountable "player/coach" leader who can effectively manage technical teams through technical credibility, operational leadership, mentorship, and execution.

While this role remains technically hands-on when needed, the primary responsibility is leading IT operations, developing staff, driving accountability, and ensuring successful execution of enterprise IT initiatives. The successful candidate must be capable of getting into the technical details when necessary, mentoring technical staff, and ensuring work is executed effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with business objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and actively participate in IT operations, infrastructure support, system administration, and enterprise technology projects.
• Serve as the primary technical escalation point for infrastructure, networking, systems, cybersecurity, ERP, and end-user support issues.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of IT professionals across multiple U.S. locations while fostering accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Establish operational expectations, technical standards, and accountability across the IT organization.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute enterprise IT initiatives including ERP implementations, infrastructure migrations, acquisitions/integrations, system upgrades, standardization efforts, and technology refreshes.
• Partner with business stakeholders to define requirements and align IT solutions with organizational objectives and operational needs.
• Monitor, maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize servers, networks, cloud services, enterprise applications, and manufacturing-related systems.
• Manage IT vendors, licensing, hardware/software inventory, support contracts, and technology lifecycle planning.
• Support cybersecurity, business continuity, disaster recovery, and regulatory compliance initiatives including NIST and CMMC requirements.
• Coordinate IT operations across multiple locations in partnership with local site support personnel.
• Prepare project plans, budgets, cost-benefit analyses, metrics, and status updates for leadership review.
• Participate in after-hours support, maintenance activities, and critical incident response as needed.
• Ensure IT operations comply with company policies, contractual obligations, and applicable regulations.
• Drive continuous improvement, operational standardization, and cost optimization initiatives across the IT environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field preferred.
• Certifications and/or continuing education preferred.
• DoD 8570 Level II certification (or higher) preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in IT operations, infrastructure, systems administration, and enterprise technology support.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience managing technical teams and enterprise IT projects.
• Demonstrated experience serving in a hands-on or "working manager" IT leadership role.
• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale projects impacting multiple business units, including ERP implementations, infrastructure migrations, acquisitions/integrations, or large-scale technology deployments.
• Proven experience leading ERP implementations including business process coordination, data migration, integrations, stakeholder management, and post-go-live operational support.
• Strong experience supporting enterprise infrastructure environments including VMware, Microsoft Azure/M365, Windows Server, and Cisco/Ubiquiti networking technologies.
• Experience managing cybersecurity and compliance initiatives including NIST and/or CMMC programs and coordination with MSSPs or external security partners.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and multi-site business environments preferred.
• Proven ability to balance leadership responsibilities with direct technical execution, troubleshooting, and operational accountability.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements:

• This position requires a government security clearance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

List of needed knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the job.

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to effectively lead and manage technically skilled employees through clear communication, technical competency, accountability, and collaboration.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a hands-on approach to issue resolution.
• Ability to make pragmatic technology decisions that balance operational needs, cybersecurity, scalability, and cost efficiency.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, multi-site environment.
• Strong understanding of enterprise infrastructure, networking, cloud platforms, cybersecurity, ERP systems, and end-user computing environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical teams, leadership, vendors, and end users.
• Experience building collaborative relationships across departments and business units.
• High level of initiative, accountability, operational ownership, and follow-through.
• Calm under pressure with the ability to lead effectively during critical incidents and operational challenges.
• Hands-on, service-oriented, "get it done" mindset.

Work Conditions:

Environment Type:

• Indoors. Production and Office Environment. Temperature Controlled.

Exposure Types:

• Small and/or enclosed spaces

Work Hours:

• On-call for emergent conditions.
• Standard work schedule, overtime may be necessary for meeting deadlines, required travel, and emergent conditions

Travel Requirements:

• This position may involve travel up to 20% of the time.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
• Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods working on feet, using tools, and performing repetitive actions that entail frequent bending and stooping.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

AIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer - All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO is the Law