IT Infrastructure Manager

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms. JOB OVERVIEW Saronic is seeking an IT Infrastructure Manager to lead our systems and network engineering teams. As the people manager for both teams, this role owns Saronic's corporate IT environment, drives the design and build-out of new facilities as we expand, and supports our hardware and software engineering organizations with the infrastructure they need to build. The scope spans on-premise data centers, hybrid cloud, and global network supporting a distributed, international workforce. Reporting into IT leadership, the IT Infrastructure Manager partners closely with the Service Desk, Security, and software and hardware engineering organizations, and serves as the senior technical authority for infrastructure design and delivery. We are looking for a hands-on technical leader who has built and operated resilient and scalable infrastructure for high-growth technical teams, and who can hold the operational standard that 24x7 manufacturing, test, and fleet operations require. The strongest candidates have a background in systems or network engineering, experience managing both disciplines at a similar-stage company, and are energized by solving infrastructure challenges in a fast-moving environment.   RESPONSIBILITIES - Manage and mentor the systems and network engineering teams, providing leadership, technical direction, and career development for a distributed staff; help build and scale the organization, including staffing, processes, and technologies, to meet the demands of a fast-growing company. - Own the infrastructure roadmap, including capacity planning, lifecycle management, and modernization initiatives across data centers, hybrid cloud (AWS/AWS GovCloud, Azure), and global network environments. - Lead the architecture, deployment, and operation of enterprise systems — including Windows and Linux environments, virtualization, enterprise storage, and high-performance computing supporting engineering workloads. - Lead the design and operation of global network infrastructure — including switching, wireless, firewalls, VPN, and monitoring across Cisco, Aruba, and Palo Alto platforms. - Lead end-to-end IT infrastructure design and build-out for new Saronic facilities, including network architecture and data/voice cabling. - Standardize software, configurations, automation, and processes across infrastructure to improve reliability, security, and delivery speed. - Develop and enforce backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategies across systems and network domains; ensure recovery objectives are tested, documented, and meet operational requirements. - Partner with the Security team to design and enforce controls aligned to DoD standards (NIST SP 800-171, DFARS 252.204-7012, CMMC, ITAR) and support internal and external audits. - Collaborate with the Service Desk Manager and broader IT organization to ensure infrastructure changes, incidents, and escalations are handled with minimal disruption to engineering and production. - Define and report on infrastructure KPIs, SLAs, and roadmap progress, articulating performance, risk, and investment needs to senior leadership. - Manage the infrastructure budget, including capital planning, hardware/software procurement, and vendor relationships; negotiate contracts and ensure cost-effective solutions. - Lead major infrastructure programs end-to-end, including cloud migrations, network expansions, and segmentation initiatives, ensuring on-time delivery with minimal disruption to operations. - Establish and maintain comprehensive documentation, including system designs, network topologies, runbooks, and standard operating procedures. - Serve as the escalation point for high-severity infrastructure incidents, coordinating resolution across teams and communicating clearly with stakeholders; participate in an on-call rotation as needed. - Evaluate emerging technologies (Zero Trust, SASE/SSE, AI/HPC infrastructure, cloud-native services) and recommend adoption where they advance operational and security objectives.     QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. - 10+ years of progressive experience in IT infrastructure roles spanning systems and network engineering, with at least 4 years leading or managing engineering teams. - Demonstrated experience owning enterprise infrastructure end-to-end, including data center build-out, hybrid cloud (with AWS GovCloud or equivalent FedRAMP/IL5-aligned environments), and global enterprise networking. - Strong technical depth across Windows Server, Linux, virtualization, enterprise storage, and backup/disaster recovery. - Strong understanding of enterprise networking, including switching, wireless, firewalls, VPN, and Layer 2/3 routing protocols. - Proven ability to scale teams, processes, and technologies in a high-growth environment, including hiring, mentoring, and developing senior engineers. - Experience driving compliance with security and regulatory frameworks relevant to defense contracting (NIST 800-171, DFARS, CMMC, ITAR). - Hands-on experience with scripting, automation, and infrastructure-as-code. - Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex technical topics for executive and non-technical audiences. - Track record of managing budgets, vendor relationships, and multi-quarter infrastructure roadmaps. Desired Qualifications - Prior experience supporting IT infrastructure in defense, aerospace, or other regulated industries. - Relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL v4, CCNP/CCIE, PCNSE, AWS/Azure Solutions Architect, CISSP). - Experience implementing Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA), SASE/SSE, and modern identity solutions (e.g., Microsoft Entra). - Familiarity with endpoint management platforms and ITSM tooling. - Experience supporting high-performance computing (HPC), GPU clusters, or engineering compute environments. - Familiarity with NixOS, declarative system configuration, and reproducible build and deployment models. - Experience operating in classified or air-gapped environments and supporting CUI handling requirements. - Previous experience in a rapidly scaling environment.     PHYSICAL DEMANDS: - Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer - Occasional standing and walking within the office - Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment - Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports - Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies - Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)   BENEFITS: Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office   Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees https://saronic-assets-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Saronic%20CCPA%20Notice%20for%20Candidates%20and%20California%20Employees.pdf If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/8/1324b. Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.