IT Manager

ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges. Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development—from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY™ when it matters most. Position Summary We are seeking an IT Manager to lead Kraken Kinetics' IT function: setting the policies, procedures, priorities, and plans that our IT team works from, and making sure IT supports where the business is headed. Kraken is a rapidly growing defense manufacturer working in a Microsoft 365 GCC High environment. We're looking for an experienced technical professional to lay the groundwork and help shape the documented IT policies, standards, and clear decision-making structure that enable our company to operate efficiently in a compliant environment. You will design the IT operating model, own the IT roadmap and budget, and lead a team of two: a Systems Administrator who owns infrastructure and systems, and an IT Support Specialist who owns Tier 1–2 support. This is a leadership and governance role, not a hands-on administration role. Day-to-day infrastructure work sits with the Systems Administrator, front-line support sits with the IT Support Specialist, and cybersecurity strategy and CMMC/NIST compliance sit with the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager and Analyst. The IT Manager makes sure all of that work is prioritized, documented, and moving in one direction. Key Responsibilities IT Governance, Policies & Procedures - Develop, document, and maintain Kraken's foundational IT policies, including acceptable use, access control, account provisioning and deprovisioning, password and MFA standards, device management, data backup and retention, change management, incident response, and other security-related policies in coordination with the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager. - Own the library of IT standard operating procedures (SOPs), assigning the Systems Administrator and IT Support Specialist to draft procedures for their areas and approving the final versions. - Define the IT service model: support tiers, escalation paths, ticket priorities, and service level targets. - Establish an approval process for IT purchases, new software, system changes, and policy exceptions. - Review and update policies at least annually, or as the business, contracts, or regulatory requirements change. IT Strategy & Planning - Build and maintain a multi-year IT roadmap aligned with company growth, contract requirements, and leadership priorities. - Approve infrastructure standards and major architecture decisions proposed by the Systems Administrator, including the design and rollout of the on-premises server environment. - Lead IT planning for enterprise systems (ERP, MRP, IMS) with business stakeholders, from selection through integration. - Act as IT's point of contact for company leadership and department heads, translating business needs into IT projects and priorities. Team Leadership - Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the Systems Administrator and IT Support Specialist. - Set team priorities and manage the IT project and request backlog so that above-tier work does not land on the help desk. - Resolve priority conflicts, cross-department requests, and non-technical escalations so the team can stay focused on technical work. - Plan IT staffing as the company grows, including when to hire and when to use contractors. Security & Compliance Partnership - Work with the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager and Analyst to make sure IT policies, procedures, and projects support Kraken's security requirements. - Coordinate IT's part in readiness for future handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), including NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC, as directed by compliance leadership. - Make sure the IT team produces the documentation and evidence needed for audits and assessments. Vendor, Budget & Contract Management - Develop and manage the annual IT budget, including hardware refresh cycles, software licensing, and infrastructure projects. - Own relationships and contracts with IT vendors, internet and telecom providers, and software publishers, and coordinate with the MSCP alongside the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager. - Oversee license, contract, and renewal tracking, using the asset registry maintained by the Systems Administrator. - Evaluate and recommend technology that supports Kraken's business goals. Requirements - 7+ years of progressive IT experience, including at least 2 years leading an IT team or serving as the lead IT resource for an organization. - Demonstrated experience writing and implementing IT policies, standards, and procedures, ideally in an organization that had little or none in place. - Experience supervising and developing technical staff. - Experience building and managing IT budgets, vendors, and contracts. - Broad technical background across Microsoft 365, Entra ID (Azure AD), Intune, Windows Server, and networking, sufficient to direct and evaluate the work of a Systems Administrator. - Experience planning and managing IT projects from start to finish. - Strong written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical topics to leadership and non-technical employees. - U.S. citizenship may be required to access certain systems and data. Preferred Qualifications - Experience with Microsoft 365 GCC or GCC High. - Prior experience in a defense, aerospace, or defense industrial base (DIB) environment. - Familiarity with NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, or ITAR requirements and how they translate into IT policy. - Experience leading an ERP, MRP, or IMS selection or implementation. - Certifications such as ITIL Foundation, PMP, CompTIA Security+, or Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert. - Experience building an IT function at a small or growing company. - Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Benefits included: - Generous PTO policy - Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents). - Vision & dental (100% company-paid) - Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid) - Generous 401(k) retirement plan - Company-paid life insurance - Great teammates and well stocked snacks LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA) Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life. Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham. Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs. We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates. Watch what it’s like to live here: [ Video Link] https://youtu.be/gXuJhhVhcn8 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.