IT Operations & Security Lead

IT Operations & Security Lead Location: Indianapolis, IN (On-site / Hybrid) Clearance: U.S. Citizen; must be eligible for Public Trust (or higher) Overview We are seeking an experienced IT Operations & Security Lead to oversee day-to-day IT infrastructure operations and support security and compliance initiatives in a regulated environment. This role serves as the technical lead and first-line manager for IT engineering staff, ensuring reliable, secure, and compliant systems across the organization. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with deep experience in infrastructure, networking, and cybersecurity, combined with the ability to manage a small team and coordinate with external partners. --- Key Responsibilities IT Operations & Infrastructure · Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of secure IT infrastructure (Windows Server, Active Directory, networking, virtualization) · Oversee daily IT operations including endpoint management, server administration, and M365 environment · Manage and optimize Active Directory (GPOs, DNS, DHCP, domain architecture) · Ensure performance, availability, and scalability of systems and services Security & Compliance · Implement and maintain security controls aligned to NIST, FISMA, CMMC, and IRS Publication 4812 requirements · Support audit readiness activities including POA&Ms, SSP inputs, and continuous monitoring efforts · Partner with external compliance and security vendors (e.g., MSSPs, 3PAOs) to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements · Oversee vulnerability management, endpoint protection, and logging/monitoring (SIEM) Team Leadership · Supervise and mentor IT Systems Engineers; assign and prioritize work · Provide technical guidance, escalation support, and performance feedback · Drive documentation standards including SOPs, system configurations, and incident reporting Vendor & Project Coordination · Coordinate with external infrastructure providers and data center partners · Support transition of IT services from outsourced providers to internal operations · Assist in procurement decisions for hardware, software, and infrastructure solutions · Support technical delivery for internal projects and customer-facing initiatives Solution Engineering Support · Contribute to technical solution design for business development and customer projects · Provide input on architecture, security, and infrastructure for proposals and implementations --- Required Qualifications · 8–12+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, systems engineering, or related roles · Proven experience leading or mentoring technical teams · Strong expertise in: o Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy o Networking (firewalls, routing, switching, VPNs) o Virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V, or similar) o Microsoft 365 / Azure…