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Critical Materials Group

IT Systems Administrator

Posted 3 Days Ago
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In-Office
Campus, IL
Mid level
In-Office
Campus, IL
Mid level
Serves as the company’s first dedicated IT hire, providing helpdesk support, device provisioning, endpoint management, systems and network administration, identity and access management, backups, and disaster recovery. Establishes baseline information security controls, supports NIST 800-171/CMMC compliance, responds to incidents, manages IT vendors, handles onboarding and offboarding, and documents procedures across Austin and Ballinger locations.
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JOB DESCRIPTION

IT Systems Administrator

Department

Operations

Reports To

Director of Operations, Ballinger Campus

Location

Austin or Ballinger, TX

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Type

Full-Time

Position Summary

The IT Systems Administrator is CMG's first dedicated IT hire, responsible for building and running the company's core technology infrastructure — from day-to-day end-user support to systems administration, network reliability, and information security fundamentals — across CMG's Austin and Ballinger, TX locations. This role currently sits under Operations and works closely with the Director of Operations, Ballinger Campus to stand up a dedicated IT/InfoSec function as CMG scales, ensuring employees have the tools and systems they need and that CMG's technology environment meets the security expectations of a defense and government-contracting business.

Key Responsibilities

End-User Support & Device Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for IT helpdesk requests across Austin and Ballinger sites.

• Provision, configure, and maintain laptops, desktops, and mobile devices for new and existing employees.

• Manage endpoint security, patching, and device management (MDM) across the company's device fleet.

Systems & Network Administration

• Administer core business systems, including Google Workspace/Microsoft 365, identity and access management, and core SaaS tooling (including Ashby and Rippling).

• Maintain network infrastructure, Wi-Fi, and connectivity across CMG's office and campus locations.

• Manage server, cloud, and backup infrastructure, including data backup and disaster recovery procedures.

Information Security

• Implement and maintain baseline information security controls (access management, endpoint protection, data protection) appropriate to a defense and government-contracting environment.

• Support CMG's compliance posture with respect to relevant IT security frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-171/CMMC) as government contract requirements dictate.

• Monitor for and respond to security incidents, escalating as appropriate.

IT Operations & Vendor Management

• Manage relationships and contracts with IT vendors and managed service providers.

• Own IT provisioning and de-provisioning as part of employee onboarding and offboarding.

• Document IT systems, processes, and standard operating procedures as the function is built out.

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years of experience in IT support, systems administration, or a similar generalist IT role.

• Hands-on experience administering Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, endpoint management, and standard business SaaS tools.

• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals (Wi-Fi, VPN, firewalls) and general troubleshooting.

• Comfort working as a solo IT function, prioritizing across a broad range of requests in a fast-paced, scaling company.

• Willingness to travel periodically between Austin and Ballinger, TX locations.

Preferred

• Experience supporting IT in a manufacturing, defense, or other regulated/government-contracting environment.

• Familiarity with NIST 800-171, CMMC, or similar federal information security compliance frameworks.

• Relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, Network+, or equivalent).

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

On-site role based in Austin or Ballinger, TX, with regular travel between the two locations. Standard office environment with occasional need to lift and move IT equipment (up to 40 lbs).

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