Information Technology Manager

IT ManagerLocation: Bowie, MD (3 days a week onsite)Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct HirePosition OverviewWe are seeking an experienced, hands-on IT Manager to lead technology operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and end-user support for a growing, data-driven organization in Bowie, Maryland.This individual will manage a small technical team while remaining actively involved in systems administration, infrastructure management, troubleshooting, and technology modernization. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in Linux systems administration, AWS, networking, cybersecurity, and enterprise infrastructure, along with the leadership skills to improve processes, strengthen reliability, and support long-term technology initiatives.The organization operates a specialized computing environment consisting primarily of Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers, on-premises and colocated infrastructure, enterprise storage, internally developed applications, and Windows and Mac endpoints. The IT Manager will play a key role in modernizing this environment, including supporting a planned migration to AWS, strengthening cybersecurity, and improving backup and disaster recovery capabilities.This is a working management position requiring someone who can lead a team while remaining hands-on with technology.Key ResponsibilitiesIT Leadership & OperationsLead, mentor, and support a small IT team responsible for infrastructure, systems administration, cybersecurity, and end-user technology.Serve as the primary escalation point for complex technical issues and provide hands-on troubleshooting when needed.Oversee daily IT operations, ensuring reliable systems, responsive support, and efficient service delivery.Develop and maintain IT policies, procedures, technical documentation, and operational standards.Manage technology vendors, infrastructure providers, software licensing, hardware procurement, and IT-related budgets.Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, automate processes, and reduce technical debt.Partner with executive leadership to establish technology priorities, communicate risks, and develop long-term IT strategies.Infrastructure & Systems AdministrationAdminister and support Linux-based infrastructure, primarily Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).Manage physical servers, enterprise storage systems, NAS/SAN environments, and colocated infrastructure.Oversee server configuration, patching, monitoring, maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.Support Linux-based applications, internally developed systems, and data-intensive computing environments.Manage network infrastructure, including firewalls, switches, routing, VPNs, DNS, wireless networks, and network security.Monitor system availability, storage utilization, capacity, and infrastructure performance.Develop automation and scripting solutions to streamline system administration and improve operational reliability.Identify and resolve infrastructure bottlenecks, performance issues, and single points of failure.Cloud Infrastructure & ModernizationLead and support initiatives to migrate on-premises and colocated infrastructure to Amazon Web Services (AWS).Assist with cloud architecture, infrastructure design, migration planning, and implementation.Manage hybrid infrastructure during the transition from physical servers to cloud environments.Evaluate cloud services to improve scalability, performance, security, and cost efficiency.Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to execute infrastructure modernization projects.Ensure cloud migration efforts minimize operational disruption and maintain the availability of critical applications.Cybersecurity & Risk ManagementOversee the implementation and ongoing improvement of cybersecurity policies, standards, and procedures.Manage endpoint protection, identity and access management, multifactor authentication, vulnerability management, and security monitoring.Strengthen security controls across Linux servers, cloud environments, networking infrastructure, and employee devices.Develop and maintain security incident-response procedures and remediation processes.Coordinate vulnerability assessments, security reviews, and risk mitigation initiatives.Support employee cybersecurity awareness and security training programs.Ensure appropriate security documentation, access controls, and operational safeguards are maintained.Backup, Disaster Recovery & Business ContinuityOversee enterprise backup, archiving, and data recovery solutions.Implement and improve automated backup processes, monitoring, and recovery procedures.Establish regular backup validation and restore testing.Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans.Evaluate secondary infrastructure, cloud-based recovery solutions, and redundancy strategies.Improve infrastructure resilience and minimize downtime for business-critical systems and applications.End-User Support & IT Service ManagementOversee IT support for approximately 35–40 employees across onsite, hybrid, remote, and international locations.Manage the support and maintenance of Windows and Mac computers, mobile devices, printers, and office technology.Oversee administration of Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, user accounts, permissions, and productivity applications.Ensure efficient employee onboarding and offboarding, including account provisioning, equipment deployment, and access management.Manage IT asset inventory, hardware lifecycle management, purchasing, and equipment replacement.Oversee IT ticketing, troubleshooting procedures, escalation processes, and service desk operations.Maintain internal technical documentation, employee knowledge resources, and IT training platforms.Provide hands-on technical support and troubleshooting when necessary.Required Qualifications7+ years of progressive experience in IT infrastructure, systems administration, or technology operations.Experience leading, supervising, or mentoring technical teams.Strong hands-on experience with Linux systems administration, preferably Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).Experience managing physical servers, on-premises infrastructure, enterprise storage, and networking environments.Working knowledge of AWS infrastructure, cloud services, and cloud migration concepts.Strong understanding of networking technologies, including firewalls, routing, switching, DNS, VPNs, and network security.Experience implementing and maintaining cybersecurity controls, including endpoint protection, identity management, MFA, vulnerability management, and patching.Experience with enterprise backup solutions, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.Experience administering Windows and Mac endpoints and supporting Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 environments.Experience overseeing end-user support, IT service management, and technology asset lifecycles.Strong troubleshooting, communication, documentation, and project management skills.Ability to balance hands-on technical responsibilities with team leadership and strategic planning.Ability to work onsite in Bowie, Maryland, multiple days per week.Preferred QualificationsExperience migrating on-premises or colocated infrastructure to AWS.Experience supporting scientific computing, research, or data-intensive environments.Familiarity with IBM DB2 databases or similar enterprise database technologies.Experience with Bash, Python, PowerShell, or other scripting and automation tools.Experience managing NAS/SAN storage, enterprise monitoring, and infrastructure performance optimization.Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks, security policy development, and incident-response planning.Experience designing, implementing, and testing disaster recovery solutions.Experience working with colocation providers, managed service providers, or external infrastructure vendors.Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.Ideal CandidateThe ideal candidate is a technically strong, hands-on IT leader who enjoys both managing people and solving complex infrastructure challenges.This individual should have a solid foundation in Linux administration, networking, enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies, along with the ability to support day-to-day IT operations.