Director of IT

Job Description

Job Description

About magniX: Based in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, magniX is a pioneer in electric propulsion and battery technology for the aerospace industry. We’re working to revolutionize how the world connects by transforming the way aircraft are powered. magniX has been at the leading edge of electric propulsion innovation for over 20 years, and has successfully demonstrated our technology in flight. We are now on the path to take our proven technology and innovative products to market. Join us to be part of a passionate team that is ushering in a new era of aviation.

About the role: magniX is seeking a Director of Information Technology who is far more than a traditional IT leader. This role sits at the intersection of enterprise technology management, enterprise software architecture, hands-on software development, and operational business leadership. The successful candidate will own the full technology stack that powers our internal operations - from network infrastructure and end-user computing to the custom applications and integrations that drive engineering, manufacturing, and business workflows across the organization.

This is a high-impact individual-contributor and leadership role for a versatile technologist who thrives on both strategic thinking and direct execution. You will be the primary architect of our internal systems, a developer capable of building and maintaining business-critical software, and a pragmatic operator who keeps the lights on while constantly improving what we have.

Critically, magniX has made a deliberate, company-wide commitment to AI - not as a productivity experiment, but as a core element of how we operate. We have actively deployed Anthropic Claude across the organization and are in active development of a Claude integration layer that spans our core operating systems and business stack. The Director of IT will be a primary driver of that initiative, owning both the technical architecture of our AI layer and the internal adoption programs that make it real for every function in the business.

Primary Responsibilities:

IT Infrastructure & Operations

• Own and operate all IT infrastructure including on-premise servers, cloud environments (Azure/AWS/GCP), networking, storage, and end-user computing.
• Maintain and continuously improve cybersecurity posture; manage identity, access, and endpoint protection.
• Lead vendor relationships, software licensing, and SaaS procurement; negotiate contracts and manage renewals.
• Ensure IT compliance with aerospace industry requirements including ITAR, CMMC, and export control obligations.
• Provide Tier 1–3 helpdesk escalation and set standards for end-user support across the organization.

Enterprise Architecture

• Design and steward the enterprise systems architecture across PLM (Windchill/Creo), ERP, MES, CRM, and business intelligence platforms.
• Define integration patterns, data models, and API standards that enable reliable, scalable cross-system data flow.
• Evaluate and recommend new platforms and technologies with a bias toward pragmatic, right-sized solutions appropriate for a growth-stage aerospace company.
• Maintain architectural documentation and a living roadmap for internal systems evolution.

Software Development & Automation

• Develop, maintain, and improve custom internal tools, scripts, integrations, and automation workflows.
• Build and support data pipelines and reporting dashboards that give leadership and operations teams reliable business intelligence.
• Apply modern software engineering practices - version control, testing, documentation, code review - to all internal development work.
• Maintain and extend existing codebases with discipline; leave things better than you found them.

AI Integration & Enablement

• Own the architecture and ongoing development of the magniX Claude integration layer - the AI fabric connecting our PLM, ERP, MES, and business systems into a unified, intelligent operating environment.
• Design and implement Claude-powered workflows, agents, and tooling that reduce manual effort and surface better information across engineering, manufacturing, finance, and program management.
• Serve as the internal subject matter expert on Anthropic Claude capabilities, APIs, and best practices; stay current with the Claude model family and identify opportunities to apply new capabilities as they emerge.
• Drive company-wide AI adoption - build internal programs, documentation, and training that move Claude from a tool individuals use to a capability embedded in how magniX operates.
• Establish governance, data handling standards, and security controls for AI tool usage consistent with ITAR obligations and company policy.

Business Operations Partnership

• Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, and Program Management to understand workflow pain points and translate them into technology solutions.
• Participate in cross-functional process improvement initiatives as the technology subject matter expert.
• Manage IT-related aspects of facility expansions, new program standup, and M&A due diligence as required.
• Prepare and manage the IT operating and capital budget; provide accurate forecasts and drive cost efficiency.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in IT, software development, or enterprise systems roles.
• Demonstrated hands-on software development experience (Python, PowerShell, JavaScript, or similar); not merely configuration or administration.
• Experience architecting and integrating enterprise systems (PLM, ERP, MES, or comparable platforms).
• Strong background in IT infrastructure - networking, cloud platforms, identity management, endpoint security.
• Proven ability to operate autonomously in a high-accountability, resource-constrained environment.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and participate in executive-level discussions.
• Experience managing or influencing IT compliance programs (ITAR, CMMC, SOC 2, or similar frameworks).
• Demonstrated fluency with modern AI tools - including large language models such as Claude - and the ability to apply them to engineering, operations, and business workflows; practical experience prompting, integrating, and deploying AI-assisted solutions in a professional context.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent demonstrated experience).
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with PTC Windchill and/or Creo PLM ecosystems.
• Experience with MES platforms and manufacturing data systems.
• Background in data engineering, business intelligence, or analytics tooling (Power BI, Tableau, or similar).
• Prior experience serving in a dual IT/software development capacity at a growth-stage company.
• Experience deploying enterprise AI tooling - including Anthropic Claude, Microsoft Copilot, or equivalent platforms - and building internal workflows, automations, or integrations on top of AI APIs.

Location: Applicants must be willing and able to commute to magniX's location in Everett, Washington .

Compensation & Benefits

• 100% company-paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance (for employees & dependents).
• 4 weeks paid vacation + 1-week annual end-of-year shutdown, sick time, and 11 paid holidays.
• 401K retirement plan with industry leading 9.5% company contribution.
• Company paid Life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
• Catered lunches and quarterly company fun-day events!

Salary Range: $165k-$225k

E-Verify: magniX utilizes E-Verify for employment eligibility verification

Pre-employment Screenings: Employment with magniX is contingent upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment requirements including a background screen.

Export Control Compliance: This position may require access to export-controlled data. To meet export control compliance requirements, candidates must be a “U.S. Person” (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees), or an appropriate export authorization by the U.S. Government may be required prior to such access. Employment, and the continuity of employment of non-U.S. persons, is contingent upon the company’s ability to secure and maintain the necessary export control authorization.

EHS/Environmental Requirements: This job operates in a manufacturing and testing environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard, communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of time. This would require the ability to move around the facility and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job.

Required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Required PPE provided by magniX based on the employee’s position and exposure. Below are typical PPE used on the manufacturing and testing floor:

• Ear Plugs - Earmuffs
• Safety shoes
• Safety Glasses - Safety Goggles

Diversity and Inclusion: magniX is an equal opportunity employer. We value and embrace diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or disability status.