Director of IT 

Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) 

Outpost is pioneering Earth return logistics for space. We're building vehicles that can return payloads from orbit safely and precisely - enabling faster space-based manufacturing, global delivery, and entirely new capabilities in the space economy. Our spacecraft is already backed by the U.S. government with multiple missions ahead. We’re a mission-focused team, building with urgency, grit, and care for the work we do and the people we do it with.  

About the Role: 
We are seeking a proactive and skilled Director of IT to support and scale our IT infrastructure. The Director of IT reports to the Vice President of Operations and develops IT support system strategies, processes and procedures to deliver reliable, repeatable, and scalable information technology solutions to meet the Company’s needs. This role is ideal for someone who is eager to be the first IT hire at a startup, creating efficient processes from the ground up. Someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, has a strong technical foundation, and enjoys supporting a diverse range of systems and users. You will play a key role in ensuring the security, performance, and reliability of our network, devices, and cloud services. 

 Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop industry leading processes and procedures for managing IT infrastructure services across Outpost, with on-premises infrastructure as well as cloud-based infrastructure. 

• Lead the refinement and implementation of cybersecurity frameworks, including CMMC and other customer-mandated compliance requirements; establish policies, controls, and documentation to ensure ongoing certification readiness and adherence across systems, vendors, and personnel. 

• Identify and define IT requirements in a phased, scalable manner to support the needs of a growing startup. 

• Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including clear technical procedures and user guides. 

• Create, manage, and operate scalable desktop support systems for Windows 10/11 to ensure seamless operations and minimal downtime. 

• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot network infrastructure—including wireless access points, switches, and Palo Alto firewalls—while administering Microsoft 365 cloud services (Entra ID, Intune, OneDrive, SharePoint, Exchange Online) to ensure security and operational reliability. 

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to implement IT projects and initiatives. 

• Coordinate and communicate infrastructure and systems improvement roadmaps to leadership, aligning initiatives with evolving business and compliance requirements. 

• Lead and execute IT buildouts of future Outpost facilities.  

 Required Skills and Experience: 

• Exposure to regulated IT environments, with a strong preference for experience in DFARS, CMMC, and ITAR-compliant environments. 

• Experience with DISA STIG or CIS benchmarks for hardening multiple technology platforms. 

• Experience working with System Security Plans, System Baselines, and other artifacts required for CMMC and other Authority to Operate packages 

• Proficient understanding of networking concepts with hands-on experience in Layer 3 routing. 

• Experience configuring and managing Meraki wireless access points and switches. 

• Experience managing next-generation firewalls, preferably Palo Alto Networks. 

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 cloud services, including administration of Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) in both native and hybrid environments, as well as OneDrive, SharePoint, Exchange Online, and Intune. 

• Familiarity with supporting Ubuntu desktop environments. 

• Experience with macOS administration and troubleshooting in a corporate setting. 

• Mobile device support experience for iOS and Android within an M365-integrated ecosystem. 

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across business and engineering teams. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical  topics succinctly to diverse audiences (e.g., Engineers and Executives).    

 Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Aerospace & Defense experience 

 Compensation: 

• 160,000 – 200,000, Salary may vary with experience 

• Incentive Equity 

• Annual Performance-Based Bonus 

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance 

• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Life Insurance 

• PTO 

• 401k with Company match 

• Subsidized daily catered lunch, snacks and coffee 

You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ,or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State